1953 Topps #78 Al Schoendienst
1953 Topps #78 Al Schoendienst
About Al Schoendienst
A switch-hitting second baseman from Germantown, Illinois, Al "Red" Schoendienst signed with the St. Louis Cardinals after a 1942 tryout, where scout Joe Mathes tracked him down and inked him for $75 a month. He reached the majors in 1945 and starred over 19 seasons with the Cardinals (1945-1956, 1961-1963), New York Giants (1956-1957), and Milwaukee Braves (1957-1960), earning 10 All-Star selections and a reputation as the game's finest defensive second baseman. Nicknamed "Red" for his reddish hair, he hit .289 with 2,449 hits, 84 home runs, and 773 RBI, peaking in 1953 with a career-best .342 average, just behind Carl Furillo's .344 batting crown. He won World Series titles as a player with the 1946 Cardinals and 1957 Braves and famously smacked a 14th-inning walk-off home run in the 1950 All-Star Game. After a 1959 bout with tuberculosis nearly ended his career, he returned to play, then managed the Cardinals to the 1967 championship. The Veterans Committee elected him to the Hall of Fame in 1989.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 776 | 0 | 4 | 49 | 94 | 172 | 172 | 285 | 0 |
| SGC | 232 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 15 | 18 | 43 | 138 | 10 |
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-26. Half-grades fold down (8.5→8). PSA counts are straight-graded.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1953 Topps Al Schoendienst card?
It is card #78 of the 1953 Topps Baseball set - one of the most beautiful sets ever made, with hand-painted color portraits numbered to 280 (274 cards issued). It pictures the St. Louis Cardinals player.
Is the 1953 Topps Al Schoendienst valuable?
Value depends on grade and eye appeal. Use the links above to check current T206 Cards inventory and live eBay listings.
Sources: Trading Card Database, Baseball-Reference, PSA & SGC population reports, and Baseball-Almanac. Card data & population compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-07-01.