1953 Topps #131 Harry Byrd
1953 Topps #131 Harry Byrd
About Harry Byrd
Harry Gladwin Byrd was a right-handed pitcher born in 1925 in Darlington, South Carolina. After his 1946 discharge from the Army, he was signed by Athletics scout Ira Thomas and worked his way up through the Philadelphia farm system at Martinsville, Savannah, and Buffalo before reaching the majors in 1950. Byrd broke out in 1952, going 15-15 with a 3.31 ERA over 228 1/3 innings to win the American League Rookie of the Year Award — the first ROY in the Philadelphia Athletics' franchise history. He credited veteran Bobo Newsom for the turnaround, saying, "I never could have done it without Newsom." His 1953 Topps card (#131) captured him as a rising Athletics star, but that same season he collapsed to 11-20 with a 5.51 ERA, losing nine straight at one point. In December 1953 he was dealt to the Yankees in a 13-player trade, and over seven seasons (1950-1957) he also pitched for Baltimore, Chicago (White Sox), and Detroit. Byrd finished 46-54 with a 4.35 ERA and 381 strikeouts, then returned to Darlington, where he worked in construction and played semipro ball.
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 | 587 | 0 | 2 | 78 | 132 | 163 | 120 | 92 | 0 |
| SGC | 64 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 11 | 17 | 24 | 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 Harry Byrd card?
It is card #131 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 Athletics player, and is his rookie card.
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 Harry Byrd 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.