1957 Topps #159 Solly Drake
About Solly Drake
Solomon Louis "Solly" Drake (1930-2021) was a switch-hitting outfielder from Little Rock, Arkansas, who broke into pro ball with the Elmwood Giants of Canada's Mandak League before the Chicago Cubs signed him ahead of the 1951 season. Army service during the Korean War (1951-1953) interrupted his climb, but he reached the majors with the Cubs on April 17, 1956, playing 65 games in center field as a rookie. He later appeared with the 1959 Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies, finishing a 141-game big-league career with a .232 average. His signature triumph came in winter ball: he was named MVP of the 1957 Caribbean Series after leading Cuba's Tigres de Marianao to the championship. Drake and his younger brother Sammy hold a lasting distinction as the first African-American brothers to play in the modern major leagues. This 1957 Topps card, issued after his Cubs debut season, serves as his Topps rookie card.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 459 | 1 | 12 | 144 | 172 | 73 | 31 | 26 | 0 |
| SGC | 33 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 13 | 3 | 6 | 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 Solly Drake card?
It is card #159 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 Solly Drake, Chicago Cubs.
Is the 1957 Topps Solly Drake #159 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.