1953 Topps #63 Gus Niarhos
1953 Topps #63 Gus Niarhos
About Gus Niarhos
Constantine Gregory "Gus" Niarhos, born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1920 to Greek immigrant parents, was a slick-handling right-handed catcher who signed with the New York Yankees for a reported $2,500 bonus in 1941 and hit .306 that year for the Akron farm club. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he reached the majors and played nine big-league seasons (1946, 1948–1955) for the Yankees, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox — the club shown on this 1953 Topps card — and Philadelphia Phillies. A light hitter prized for plate discipline and defense, he batted .252 with 174 hits, 1 home run, and 59 RBI over 315 games, posting a .988 fielding mark. Backing up Yogi Berra, he appeared in the 1949 World Series as a late-inning defensive replacement, earning a title ring in his lone postseason. Teammates nicknamed the wiry catcher "Blood Bank" for his slight build. He later managed in the minors and coached future Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson, Vida Blue, and Rollie Fingers.
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.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 630 | 2 | 9 | 80 | 130 | 188 | 116 | 105 | 0 |
| SGC | 76 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 25 | 10 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
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 Gus Niarhos card?
It is card #63 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.
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 Gus Niarhos 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.