1955 Topps #147 Laurin Pepper
1955 Topps #147 Laurin Pepper
About Laurin Pepper
Hugh McLaurin "Laurin" Pepper III (1930-2018), listed on his 1955 Topps rookie card by his given name Hugh Pepper, was a right-handed pitcher and one of the era's classic "bonus babies." A star halfback at Mississippi Southern (Southern Miss), Pepper earned All-American recognition in 1953 and set a school record averaging 8.2 yards per carry, starring in an upset of Alabama and reaching the Sun Bowl before turning to baseball. Chosen in the 1954 NFL Draft by the Steelers, he instead accepted a bonus contract from the crosstown Pirates, signing on June 14, 1954. Under the bonus rule of the day, Pittsburgh had to keep the raw pitcher on its major-league roster, and the results were rough: over four seasons (1954-1957) he went 2-8 with a 7.06 ERA, striking out 40 in 44 appearances, his lone highlight a first win on August 26, 1954. After baseball he became a fixture as football coach and athletic director at Ocean Springs High School, compiling 25 winning seasons and 12 conference titles, and was inducted into both the Southern Miss and Mississippi Sports Halls of Fame. Note: the card's printed birth date is a documented error; Pepper was born January 18, 1930.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference
Card-back note
Uncorrected error on the back: Birth date should be Jan. 18.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 622 | 0 | 5 | 130 | 189 | 160 | 87 | 50 | 1 |
| SGC | 57 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 16 | 13 | 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 Laurin Pepper card?
It is card #147 of 206 in the 1955 Topps set - Topps' first fully horizontal design. It pictures the Pittsburgh Pirates player, and is his rookie card.
Is the 1955 Topps Laurin Pepper 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.