1955 Topps #117 Mel Roach
1955 Topps #117 Mel Roach
About Mel Roach
A multi-sport star at the University of Virginia - where he played quarterback in football and starred at second base - Mel Roach signed a $40,000 bonus contract with the Milwaukee Braves in 1953, making him one of the era's "bonus babies." A right-handed-hitting infielder, primarily a second baseman who also played the outfield, Roach appeared in the majors for the Braves (1953-54, 1957-61), Chicago Cubs (1961) and Philadelphia Phillies (1962), losing the 1955 and 1956 seasons to U.S. Navy service. He was on the roster of Milwaukee's 1957 World Series champions but saw little Series action behind Hall of Famer Red Schoendienst. His career turned on August 3, 1958, when the Giants' Daryl Spencer slid hard into him at second base, wrecking his left knee and requiring surgery; the diminished range that followed cost him a regular job. Roach batted .238 with 119 hits, 7 home runs and 43 RBI over 227 big-league games. Born in Richmond, Virginia in 1933, he died there in 2023 and is a Virginia Sports Hall of Fame inductee.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 857 | 1 | 13 | 195 | 283 | 208 | 90 | 67 | 0 |
| SGC | 78 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 17 | 24 | 14 | 13 | 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.
Find this card
Search T206 Cards Find on eBay
As an eBay Partner Network affiliate, T206Cards.com may earn from qualifying purchases.
More Milwaukee Braves cards
- Jim Pendleton
- Jack Parks
- Warren Spahn
- Dave Jolly
- Hank Aaron
- Gene Conley
- Charlie White
- Joey Jay
- Ray Crone
- Eddie Mathews
- Chuck Tanner
- Humberto Robinson
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1955 Topps Mel Roach card?
It is card #117 of 206 in the 1955 Topps set - Topps' first fully horizontal design. It pictures the Milwaukee Braves player.
Is the 1955 Topps Mel Roach 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.