1955 Topps #193 Johnny Sain
1955 Topps #193 Johnny Sain
About Johnny Sain
Johnny Sain, a right-handed pitcher from Havana, Arkansas, signed as a teenager and toiled six years in the minors before debuting with the Boston Braves in 1942; he then served as a Navy flight instructor in World War II. Over 11 seasons with the Braves (1942-1951), Yankees (1951-1954) and Kansas City Athletics (1955), he won 139 games against 116 losses with a 3.49 ERA and made three All-Star teams (1947, 1948, 1953). A four-time 20-game winner, he went 24-15 to lead the NL in 1948 and finished MVP runner-up to Stan Musial, forming half of the Braves rotation immortalized by the couplet "Spahn and Sain and pray for rain." He threw two complete games in the 1948 World Series and, dealt to New York for Lew Burdette, won titles as a Yankee (1951-1953), taking Game 1 of the 1953 Series; he led the AL with 22 saves in 1954. Sain was also the first pitcher to face Jackie Robinson (April 15, 1947) and later became one of baseball's most respected pitching coaches. This is his high-number (Series 2) card, pictured as a Yankee. He died in 2006.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Variations & how to tell them apart
High Number (#161-210)
Series 2 (#161-210) shipped in the fall against the new football-card season, so retailers cut their orders and far fewer were printed. As a result the set's biggest high-number names - Roberto Clemente (RC), Willie Mays, Yogi Berra, Phil Rizzuto, Gil Hodges and Duke Snider - are tougher than low-number stars such as Williams, Robinson and Aaron.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 878 | 0 | 10 | 117 | 206 | 222 | 165 | 156 | 2 |
| SGC | 108 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 14 | 15 | 35 | 35 | 1 |
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 Johnny Sain card?
It is card #193 of 206 in the 1955 Topps set - Topps' first fully horizontal design. It pictures the New York Yankees player.
Why is this card scarce?
It is in the 1955 Topps high-number series (#161-210), which shipped in the fall against the new football cards, so far fewer were printed - the scarcest run in the set.
Is the 1955 Topps Johnny Sain valuable?
Value depends on grade and its scarce high-number status. 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.