Solly Hemus - 1957 Topps #231
1957 Topps #231 Solly Hemus
About Solly Hemus
Solomon Joseph 'Solly' Hemus entered the Cardinals' farm system in 1946 after Navy service in World War II, batting .363 at Class-C Pocatello to launch an 11-year big-league career. A scrappy 5-foot-9 leadoff man at shortstop and second base, he scored 110 runs as a rookie in 1951 — earning the nickname 'Mighty Mouse' from St. Louis writer Bob Broeg — and a league-leading 105 in 1952, when he was hit by 20 pitches; he led the NL in hit-by-pitches three times. Traded to Philadelphia for Bobby Morgan in May 1956, he became a walk-drawing utility infielder and pinch-hitter, and this card catches that Phillies stint: on April 22, 1957, he was lifted for pinch-runner John Kennedy, the first Black player in Phillies history. A heartfelt letter to owner Gussie Busch brought him back to St. Louis as player-manager in 1959; he went 190-192 before being replaced in mid-1961, retired with a .273 average, and died in 2017 at age 94.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 570 | 3 | 36 | 249 | 157 | 78 | 29 | 18 | 0 |
| SGC | 43 | 0 | 5 | 16 | 11 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 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 Hemus card?
It is card #231 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 Hemus, Philadelphia Phillies.
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.