1957 Topps #269 Bob Cerv
Scarce fourth series: #265-352 is the tough run of the 1957 set — roughly twice as hard to find as the other series ("tough, not rare"). No documented reason survives; the best-researched account is that Topps printed the hastily assembled final series in quantity and left Series 4 with the shortest run.
About Bob Cerv
Bob Cerv survived kamikaze attacks in World War II as a radarman aboard the destroyer USS Claxton, then became Nebraska's first baseball All-American before signing with the Yankees in 1950. A powerful right-handed outfielder stuck on New York's bench from 1951-56 — though he homered as a pinch-hitter in the 1955 World Series — he was sent to the Kansas City Athletics, and this scarce fourth-series card marks his first season in Kansas City, 1957. Playing every day, Cerv erupted in 1958: .305 with 104 RBI and 38 home runs, a Kansas City Athletics record, six of them hit with his jaw wired shut after a home-plate collision. He beat out Ted Williams for the AL All-Star starting spot in left field and finished fourth in MVP voting. Back with the Yankees in 1961, he shared a Queens apartment with Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris during their home run chase. He retired in 1962 with 105 home runs, 12 of them as a pinch-hitter — then an American League record.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 549 | 0 | 9 | 139 | 177 | 126 | 62 | 36 | 0 |
| SGC | 32 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-07-05. Half grades fold down for both graders (8.5→8); PSA qualified slabs (OC, ST, PD, MC and the like) are not counted.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1957 Topps Bob Cerv card?
It is card #269 of the 1957 Topps Baseball set - the 407-card, 2-1/2 by 3-1/2 inch set that was Topps' first at the modern standard card size, with full-color photography and complete career stats on the back. It pictures Bob Cerv, Kansas City Athletics.
Is the 1957 Topps #269 hard to find?
It is part of the scarce fourth series (#265-352), the toughest run of the set - roughly twice as hard to find as the other series. It is tough, not rare; there is no documented distribution reason, only that Series 4 had the shortest print run.
How many cards are in the 1957 Topps set?
407 numbered cards. Collectors usually count 408 because #176 Gene Baker exists in an error ('Bakep') and a corrected back. The PSA master set adds the 8 checklists, 4 contest cards and the Lucky Penny for 421 items.
Sources: PSA CardFacts, Beckett, BaseballCardPedia, Baseball-Reference, PSA & SGC population reports, and hobby press-sheet research (Net54 / Topps Archives). Card data compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-10-13.