1953 Topps #44 Ellis Kinder
1953 Topps #44 Ellis Kinder
About Ellis Kinder
A hard-throwing right-hander who grew up picking cotton in Atkins, Arkansas, Ellis Kinder didn't reach the majors until age 31, debuting with the St. Louis Browns in 1946 after years starring in the minors (he led his league with 307 strikeouts in 1940). Traded to the Boston Red Sox in November 1947, he became one of the American League's best, going 23-6 in 1949 while leading the AL in shutouts (6) and winning percentage (.793) and earning The Sporting News AL Pitcher of the Year honor. That year's heartbreak defined him: Boston lost the pennant to the Yankees on the season's final day, with Kinder controversially pinch-hit for in a game he started. The Red Sox later moved him to the bullpen, where he became one of the game's first great relief aces, and in 1953 (this card's year) he pitched a then-record 69 games with a 1.85 ERA. Over 12 seasons with the Browns, Red Sox, Cardinals and White Sox he went 102-71 with a 3.43 ERA, 749 strikeouts and 102 saves across 484 games. Nicknamed "Old Folks" for his success at an advanced age, Kinder died in 1968 and was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2006. This card (#44) is known for a minor back variation, with the biography text printed in either black or white on different copies.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Designations, variations & errors
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 | 2 | 41 | 88 | 118 | 99 | 118 | 0 |
| SGC | 57 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 29 | 2 |
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 Ellis Kinder card?
It is card #44 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 Boston Red Sox player.
Is the 1953 Topps Ellis Kinder 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.