1957 Topps #278 Fred Hatfield
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 Fred Hatfield
Fred "Scrap Iron" Hatfield earned his nickname in the Red Sox farm system at Roanoke and Scranton, where he led the Piedmont and Eastern Leagues in getting hit by pitches — willingly taking one for the team. Signed by Boston scout Herb Brett for $1,200 in 1942, he served as an Army paratrooper in World War II before debuting in 1950. Dealt to Detroit in the nine-player June 1952 blockbuster that sent George Kell to Boston, the slick-fielding third baseman replaced Kell a second time when a 1956 trade brought him to the White Sox. Hatfield hit .242 across nine seasons (1950-58) with Boston, Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland and Cincinnati, and remained the only man ever to pinch-hit for Al Kaline until 1970. He later coached Florida State to a 161-57 record and spent decades managing and scouting. His 1957 Topps card belongs to the scarce fourth series.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 519 | 0 | 11 | 178 | 167 | 102 | 39 | 22 | 0 |
| SGC | 33 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 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 Fred Hatfield card?
It is card #278 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 Fred Hatfield, Chicago White Sox.
Is the 1957 Topps #278 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 #278 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.
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.