1955 Topps #99 Frank Leja
1955 Topps #99 Frank Leja
About Frank Leja
Frank Leja (1936-1991) was a 6-foot-4 left-handed-hitting first baseman from Holyoke, Massachusetts, and one of the most famous "bonus baby" cautionary tales of the 1950s. Yankees scout Paul Krichell, who had signed Lou Gehrig, called Leja "another Lou Gehrig" and inked him out of Holyoke High in September 1953. Under the era's bonus rule, that large signing bonus forced the teenager to sit on New York's big-league bench for two full seasons (1954-1955) rather than develop in the minors. He appeared in just 26 major-league games, going 1-for-23 (.043) with a lone single off the Athletics on September 19, 1954. Turned loose to the minors, he finally showed his power, topping 20 home runs several times and hitting 22 in the Eastern League in 1957 - which earned him the nickname "Iron Liege," after that year's Kentucky Derby winner. He resurfaced briefly with the 1962 Los Angeles Angels but never stuck. His 1955 Topps card (#99) captures him during those frozen Yankee bonus-baby years.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 828 | 1 | 20 | 186 | 248 | 180 | 118 | 72 | 3 |
| SGC | 78 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 13 | 0 |
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-26. Half-grades fold down (8.5→8); totals are summed across each grader's listed variations.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1955 Topps Frank Leja card?
It is card #99 of 206 in the 1955 Topps set - Topps' first fully horizontal design. It pictures the New York Yankees player.
Is the 1955 Topps Frank Leja valuable?
Value depends on grade. Use the links above to check current T206 Cards inventory and live eBay listings.
Sources: Trading Card Database, Baseball-Reference, PSA & SGC population reports, and Baseball-Almanac. Card data & population compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-07-01.