1955 Topps #18 Russ Kemmerer
1955 Topps #18 Russ Kemmerer
About Russ Kemmerer
Card #18 is the rookie card of right-handed pitcher Russ Kemmerer (1930-2014), pictured with the Boston Red Sox. A University of Pittsburgh scholarship athlete, he was signed by Red Sox scout Caleb "Socko" McCarey in 1950 for a $3,000 bonus. Kemmerer debuted in relief on June 27, 1954, then made an unforgettable first start on July 18, 1954, throwing a one-hit shutout to beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-0 at Fenway Park - the lone hit a Sam Mele fly ball that Ted Williams could not run down in left. Over nine seasons (1954-1963) he pitched for the Red Sox, Washington Senators, Chicago White Sox, and Houston Colt .45s, working as both starter and reliever. He finished 43-59 with a 4.46 ERA and 505 strikeouts across 302 games, his best year coming in relief for Washington in 1960. After baseball he became a Methodist pastor and spent 21 years teaching English and coaching baseball at Indianapolis's Lawrence Central High School, where students nicknamed him "Special K."
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 568 | 0 | 1 | 88 | 150 | 161 | 102 | 66 | 0 |
| SGC | 54 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 6 | 19 | 17 | 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 Russ Kemmerer card?
It is card #18 of 206 in the 1955 Topps set - Topps' first fully horizontal design. It pictures the Boston Red Sox player, and is his rookie card.
Is the 1955 Topps Russ Kemmerer 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.