1957 Topps #305 Chico Fernandez
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 Chico Fernandez
Born in Havana, Humberto 'Chico' Fernández signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers organization in 1951 — the front office assigned the nickname 'Chico,' claiming it would be easier for Americans to pronounce than Humberto — and became an International League All-Star shortstop by 1954, though Pee Wee Reese blocked his path after a July 1956 debut. On April 5, 1957, Philadelphia sent Elmer Valo, four other players, and $75,000 to get him, and that April Fernández became the first player of color in Phillies history, a full decade after Jackie Robinson. Fans chanted 'Go, Chico, Go' as he hit .262 with 131 hits and 18 steals, fifth in the National League, as the everyday shortstop. Later Detroit's first Latin American regular, he stunned the league with 20 home runs in 1962 and finished with the 1963 Mets, batting .240 with 40 homers across eight seasons. He died in 2016 at 84. His card from that pioneering season belongs to 1957 Topps' scarce fourth series.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 511 | 0 | 11 | 165 | 159 | 111 | 42 | 23 | 0 |
| SGC | 35 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 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 Chico Fernandez card?
It is card #305 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 Chico Fernandez, Philadelphia Phillies.
Is the 1957 Topps #305 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.