Roman Mejias - 1957 Topps #362
1957 Topps #362 Roman Mejias
Uncorrected error: Born in '30, not '32. Series 5 short print: press-sheet row C printed 4x per full sheet vs 5x for other rows (Topps Archives / Mark Pekrul sheet study, Mar 2026) It was never corrected, so there is only one version of the card.
The #176 "Bakep" error: the back header reads "EUGENF W. BAKEP," the whole name garbled on the printing plate. It is the ONLY error Topps corrected in 1957, which is why the error back carries the premium — a PSA population near 215, topping out at PSA 8.
Series 5 short print: one of 11 sheet-verified short prints. Series 5's 55 cards fill five press rows, and this card's row C ran four times per full sheet versus five for the rest (about 20% short). Source: the Topps Archives / Mark Pekrul uncut-sheet study (2026).
About Roman Mejias
Román Mejías Gómez was a Cuban outfielder who entered pro ball in 1953, signed out of a Pittsburgh tryout camp in Havana by Hall of Famer George Sisler. He hit in 55 straight games at Class B Waco in 1954 and debuted with the Pirates on Opening Day 1955 as their starting right fielder. Mostly a reserve behind Clemente, Skinner and Virdon, Mejías was optioned out in 1960 and missed the roster for Pittsburgh's World Series title. His breakout came with the expansion Houston Colt .45s in 1962: he belted two three-run homers on Opening Day, including the first home run in Houston's major-league history off Don Cardwell, and led the club with 24 homers, 76 RBIs and a .286 average. Traded to Boston, he closed a 627-game career in 1964, and later joined the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame (in exile) in 1997. This is his Topps rookie card, a scarce Series 5 short print carrying the well-known error listing his birth year as 1932.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 584 | 1 | 17 | 190 | 200 | 117 | 33 | 26 | 0 |
| SGC | 55 | 0 | 2 | 23 | 16 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 1 |
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).
Find this card
Search T206 Cards Find on eBay
As an eBay Partner Network affiliate, T206Cards.com may earn from qualifying purchases.
Related cards
More Pittsburgh Pirates cards:
- #3 Dale Long
- #12 Dick Groat
- #24 Bill Mazeroski
- #52 Lee Walls
- #76 Roberto Clemente
- #104 Hank Foiles
- #110 Bill Virdon
- #140 Frank Thomas
- #150 Bob Friend
- #161 Pittsburgh Pirates
- #166 Roy Face
- #199 Vern Law
- #209 Bob Skinner
- #234 Dick Cole
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1957 Topps Roman Mejias card?
It is card #362 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 Roman Mejias, Pittsburgh Pirates.
Is the 1957 Topps #362 a short print?
Yes - it is one of 11 sheet-verified Series 5 short prints. Its press-sheet row ran about 20% fewer times than the other rows, per the Topps Archives uncut-sheet study. It is single-sourced research, so the label is attributed rather than a catalog standard.
Is the 1957 Topps Roman Mejias #362 a rookie card?
Yes - it carries the rookie-card designation in the 1957 Topps set.
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.