1957 Topps #181 Dick Donovan
About Dick Donovan
Richard Edward Donovan (1927-1997), a right-handed pitcher from Boston, was signed out of North Quincy High School by Braves scout Jeff Jones, who called him the most fire-balling schoolboy pitcher he'd seen since Bob Feller. After three years in the U.S. Navy and a long minor-league apprenticeship, Donovan learned the slider from coach Whitlow Wyatt with the Atlanta Crackers, a pitch that transformed his career. He debuted with the Boston Braves (1950-52), then found stardom with the Chicago White Sox (1955-60). Named an All-Star as a rookie in 1955, he went 16-6 in 1957, leading the American League in winning percentage and tying for the lead in complete games. He pitched in the 1959 World Series against the Dodgers, taking the loss in Game 3 and earning a save in Game 5. Traded for Jimmy Piersall, he won 20 games for Cleveland in 1962. He finished 122-99 with a 3.67 ERA, five All-Star nods, and 15 home runs, ranking among the best-hitting pitchers of his era.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 476 | 2 | 18 | 190 | 143 | 67 | 39 | 17 | 0 |
| SGC | 25 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 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 Dick Donovan card?
It is card #181 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 Dick Donovan, Chicago White Sox.
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 2026-07-10.