1953 Topps #156 Jim Rivera
1953 Topps #156 Jim Rivera
About Jim Rivera
Manuel Joseph "Jim" Rivera reached pro ball on an improbable path: while in the Army he was convicted in 1944 and served time in the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary, where his play on the prison team drew the notice of Atlanta Crackers owner Earl Mann, who helped win his parole and signed him in 1949. The switch-hitting outfielder debuted in 1952 with the St. Louis Browns before landing with the Chicago White Sox, where he starred for a decade (1952-1961) and closed his career with the Kansas City Athletics in 1961. A daredevil baserunner and acrobatic, head-first-sliding fielder, he led the American League in triples in 1953 (16) and in stolen bases in 1955 (25). Over 10 seasons he hit .256 with 83 home runs, 422 RBI and 160 steals. Nicknamed "Jungle Jim" starting in 1953 by a Chicago Sun-Times writer for his unorthodox, arm-flapping style, Rivera was a fan favorite on the 1959 "Go-Go" White Sox pennant winners, remembered for an over-the-shoulder catch at the wall that saved a 1-0 Game 5 win in that World Series. He died in 2017 at age 96.
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 | 611 | 0 | 13 | 79 | 133 | 172 | 112 | 102 | 0 |
| SGC | 77 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 14 | 21 | 26 | 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 Jim Rivera card?
It is card #156 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 Chicago White Sox 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 Jim Rivera 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.