1953 Topps #102 Connie Ryan
1953 Topps #102 Connie Ryan
About Connie Ryan
Cornelius Joseph "Connie" Ryan, a New Orleans native, became the first player to receive a full baseball scholarship to Louisiana State University before leaving after his sophomore year to turn pro; Giants manager Mel Ott scouted him, and New York bought his contract from the Atlanta Crackers in 1941. A right-handed-hitting second baseman and utility infielder, Ryan played 12 major-league seasons (1942-1954) for the Giants, Boston Braves, Cincinnati Reds, Phillies, and White Sox, batting .248 with 988 hits, 58 home runs, 381 RBI, and 69 stolen bases over 1,184 games. He earned his lone All-Star selection in 1944, collecting two hits and a stolen base for the National League, and served as a utility infielder on the pennant-winning 1948 Boston Braves. His signature day came on April 16, 1953, with the Phillies, when he went 6-for-6 at Pittsburgh, becoming the first Phillie and just the 31st player in big-league history to do it. Ryan later coached third base for the world-champion 1957 Milwaukee Braves and managed on an interim basis for Atlanta (1975) and Texas (1977). This #102 card is catalogued with a minor back-print variation, its biography text appearing in white on some copies and black on others.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Designations, variations & errors
Double Print
Marked DP. Roughly 50% more of these cards were printed than their neighbors (the hobby calls it 'double-printed'), so they are the most plentiful cards in the set. TCDB flags 103 of them, concentrated in the low series. Five cards normally in the low run - #94, #107, #131, #145 and #156 - were also printed on the more-plentiful #166-220 sheet. A print-quantity designation, not an error or a separate card.
White-text biography
A minor printing variation: on some copies the back biography is printed in white text, on others in black text. Catalogued by TCDB (and noted by price guides for the series-2 range) but considered a minor variation, not a headline.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 466 | 0 | 1 | 44 | 93 | 124 | 102 | 102 | 0 |
| SGC | 44 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 14 | 16 | 1 |
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 Connie Ryan card?
It is card #102 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 Philadelphia Phillies player.
What does 'double print' mean for this card?
Roughly 50% more of these cards were printed than their neighbors, so double prints (DP) are the most plentiful cards in the set. It is a print-quantity note, not an error or a separate card.
Is the 1953 Topps Connie Ryan 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.