1956 Topps #294 Ernie Johnson
1956 Topps #294 Ernie Johnson
About Ernie Johnson
Ernest Thorwald Johnson Sr. (June 16, 1924 - August 12, 2011) was a right-handed relief pitcher for the Braves. A U.S. Marine who took part in the invasion of Okinawa and was discharged as a staff sergeant in February 1946, he signed in the Boston Braves organization and returned to pro ball that year. Johnson debuted in the majors in 1950 and, after ten starts in 1952, worked almost exclusively out of the bullpen. He stayed with the franchise when it moved to Milwaukee in 1953 and pitched there through 1958, finishing his career with the 1959 Baltimore Orioles. Over 273 games he went 40-23 with a 3.77 ERA, 319 strikeouts and 19 saves. His signature season came in 1957: he went 7-3 with four saves and was a member of the World Series champion Milwaukee Braves, appearing in Games 1, 3 and 6 against the Yankees and allowing just two hits and one run in seven innings while striking out eight - the lone run a foul-pole home run by Hank Bauer that decided Game 6. After his playing days, Johnson began a 52-year association with the club as a beloved Braves radio and television broadcaster, the longest tenure of anyone in the organization; his son, Ernie Johnson Jr., became a national sportscaster. This card, #294, is a Series 4 high number, part of the tougher-to-find final print run of the 1956 set.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Variations & how to tell them apart
High Number (Series 4)
Cards 261-340. Unlike most vintage sets, the 1956 high numbers carry NO series premium - they were distributed in similar quantities to the rest of the set.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 734 | 0 | 24 | 228 | 225 | 138 | 78 | 41 | 0 |
| SGC | 67 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 0 |
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.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1956 Topps Ernie Johnson card?
It is card #294 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 Milwaukee Braves player.
Is the 1956 Topps Ernie Johnson 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.