1957 Topps #306 Darrell Johnson
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.
Double print (traditional designation): one of the 22 Series 4 cards Beckett lists as double prints. Press-sheet research (Net54 2025 / Topps Archives 2026) shows the 22 occupy exactly two full 11-card press rows and were NOT actually printed in greater quantity — the "DP" label is a catalog tradition kept because collectors expect it.
About Darrell Johnson
Darrell Johnson signed with the St. Louis Browns in 1949 and debuted with them in 1952, beginning a six-season run as a reserve catcher for seven clubs. Acquired by the Yankees in an 18-player trade in November 1954, he spent two years starring for Triple-A Denver before finally reaching New York in 1957 — the season captured on this scarce Series Four card, his Topps rookie. Backing up Yogi Berra and Elston Howard, he was on the roster of the pennant-winning 1957 and world-champion 1958 Yankees yet never appeared in either World Series; his only Series action came with Cincinnati in 1961, when he singled twice off Whitey Ford. A .234 hitter in 134 big-league games, Johnson made his real mark managing: he led the 1975 Red Sox to the AL pennant — sweeping Oakland before the epic seven-game World Series loss to the Big Red Machine — and was named The Sporting News Manager of the Year, then became the expansion Seattle Mariners' first manager in 1977.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 588 | 2 | 28 | 159 | 195 | 120 | 52 | 32 | 0 |
| SGC | 48 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 15 | 5 | 10 | 6 | 0 |
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-07-05. Half-grades fold down (8.5→8). PSA counts are straight-graded (the +/Q qualifier rows are excluded).
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1957 Topps Darrell Johnson card?
It is card #306 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 Darrell Johnson, New York Yankees.
Is the 1957 Topps #306 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.
Is the 1957 Topps #306 really a double print?
Beckett lists it among 22 Series 4 double prints, but press-sheet research shows those 22 form two full press rows and were not actually printed in greater quantity. The 'DP' tag is a catalog tradition; population and pricing show no real abundance.
Is the 1957 Topps Darrell Johnson #306 a rookie card?
Yes - it carries the rookie-card designation in the 1957 Topps set.
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 2026-07-10.