1957 Topps #287 Sam Jones
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.
About Sam Jones
Sam "Toothpick" Jones (1925–1971) pitched with a flat toothpick clamped in his mouth, a habit picked up during Army service that gave him his nickname. He entered pro ball with the Negro American League's Cleveland Buckeyes in 1947, reached the majors with Cleveland in 1951, and on May 12, 1955, as a Cub, threw the first no-hitter by a Black pitcher in big-league history — walking the bases loaded in the ninth against Pittsburgh, then striking out Dick Groat, Roberto Clemente, and Frank Thomas on eleven pitches. A December 1956 nine-player trade brought him to St. Louis, where he pitched in 1957-58 (returning briefly in 1963). His peak came with the 1959 Giants: 21 wins, a league-leading 2.83 ERA, and The Sporting News NL Pitcher of the Year honors. A two-time All-Star who led the NL in both strikeouts and walks in 1955, 1956, and 1958, Jones finished with more than 1,300 strikeouts. His 1957 Topps card comes from 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 | 420 | 0 | 5 | 81 | 156 | 113 | 45 | 20 | 0 |
| SGC | 28 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 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 Sam Jones card?
It is card #287 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 Sam Jones, St. Louis Cardinals.
Is the 1957 Topps #287 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.
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.