Elston Howard - 1957 Topps #82
1957 Topps #82 Elston Howard
About Elston Howard
Elston Howard entered pro ball with the Kansas City Monarchs in 1948, rooming with Ernie Banks before the Yankees purchased his contract in 1950. On April 14, 1955, he became the first Black player in Yankees history, collecting a hit and an RBI in his debut. This 1957 Topps card lists him in the outfield: with Yogi Berra entrenched behind the plate, the Bill Dickey-tutored catcher played mostly left field until becoming New York's regular backstop in 1961. Howard earned 12 All-Star selections from 1957 to 1965, played in ten World Series and won four titles, taking the 1958 Babe Ruth Award after a game-saving diving catch against Milwaukee. In 1963 he became the first Black AL MVP, pairing a career-high 28 homers with Gold Glove defense. Traded to Boston in August 1967, he helped the Red Sox win the pennant, then became the American League's first Black coach. He batted .274 with 168 home runs; the Yankees retired his No. 32 in 1984.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 1,071 | 0 | 28 | 197 | 296 | 238 | 135 | 177 | 0 |
| SGC | 205 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 34 | 46 | 55 | 59 | 2 |
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 Elston Howard card?
It is card #82 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 Elston Howard, New York Yankees.
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.