1956 Topps #152 Billy Hoeft
1956 Topps #152 Billy Hoeft
About Billy Hoeft
A hard-throwing left-hander from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Billy Hoeft (born May 17, 1932; died March 16, 2010) built a legend in American Legion and high-school ball, winning 34 games in a row across 1948-49 and striking out all 27 batters he faced in an April 29, 1950 perfect game against Hartford. He deliberately spurned a signing bonus and inked with the Detroit Tigers, whose scout George Moriarty landed him for a reported $55,000. Hoeft debuted April 18, 1952, and on September 7, 1953 threw an "immaculate inning," fanning three White Sox on nine pitches for the eighth such feat in major-league history. His finest stretch came mid-decade: in 1955 he went 16-7 with a 2.99 ERA, led the majors with seven shutouts, and earned his lone All-Star selection, then followed with a 20-14, 4.06-ERA campaign in 1956 (a career-best 172 strikeouts in 248 innings) that made him a 20-game winner. Over 15 seasons with the Tigers, Red Sox, Orioles, Giants, Braves and Cubs, he finished 97-101 with a 3.94 ERA and 1,140 strikeouts in 505 games. This card belongs to Topps' second series, printed with the set's white-back and gray-back stock variations.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Variations & how to tell them apart
White Back / Gray Back Series 1 & 2 (cards 1-180)
Every card #1-180 exists with the reverse printed on white/cream card stock OR on gray card stock. Cards #181-340 are gray-back only. The scarcity FLIPS at #100: on cards 1-100 the gray back is slightly scarcer (a modest premium); on cards 101-180 the gray backs are far more common (about 12-15 to 1), so the WHITE back is the scarce, premium variation - often +50% or more, and disproportionately so in high grade, since the white-stock cards tend to be more brittle.
- White Back: Printed on white/cream card stock. The standard/common look on cards 1-100; the SCARCE, premium variation on cards 101-180.
- Gray Back: Printed on gray card stock. The scarcer variation on cards 1-100 (modest premium); the common look on cards 101-180; the ONLY back on cards 181-340.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 917 | 1 | 15 | 256 | 275 | 195 | 100 | 75 | 0 |
| SGC | 62 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 15 | 10 | 7 | 11 | 2 |
PSA by variation: Gray Back 854 · White Back 63
SGC by variation: Gray Back 57 · White Back 5
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-30. 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 Detroit Tigers cards
- Ray Boone
- Al Kaline
- Frank House
- Duke Maas
- Babe Birrer
- Red Wilson
- Virgil Trucks
- Jim Brady
- Earl Torgeson
- Harvey Kuenn
- Ned Garver
- Frank Lary
- Bill Tuttle
- Jim Small
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1956 Topps Billy Hoeft card?
It is card #152 of 340 in the 1956 Topps set - Topps' first set after buying out rival Bowman, and one of the most attractive issues in the hobby. It pictures the Detroit Tigers player.
Does the 1956 Topps Billy Hoeft have back variations?
Yes. Every card #1-180 exists with the reverse printed on white/cream card stock OR on gray card stock. Cards #181-340 are gray-back only. The scarcity FLIPS at #100: on cards 1-100 the gray back is slightly scarcer (a modest premium); on cards 101-180 the gray backs are far more common (about 12-15 to 1), so the WHITE back is the scarce, premium variation - often +50% or more, and disproportionately so in high grade, since the white-stock cards tend to be more brittle.
Is the 1956 Topps Billy Hoeft valuable?
Value depends on grade and (where it applies) the back or front variation. Use the links above to check current T206 Cards inventory and live eBay listings.
Sources: Trading Card Database, Baseball-Reference, BaseballCardPedia, PSA & SGC population reports, and Baseball-Almanac. Card data, images & population compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-07-01.