1953 Topps #9 Joe Collins
1953 Topps #9 Joe Collins
About Joe Collins
Born Joseph Edward Kollonige in Scranton, Pennsylvania in 1922 (d. 1989), Joe Collins was a left-handed-hitting first baseman signed out of Pennsylvania semipro ball into the Yankees farm system in 1939, where he climbed through the minors (interrupted by World War II naval-aviation service) before debuting in September 1948. He spent his entire 10-season major-league career (1948-1957) with the New York Yankees, batting .256 with 596 hits, 86 home runs, and 329 RBI over 908 games while serving as the club's primary first baseman in the early 1950s, often platooned for his edge against right-handed pitching. A fixture on baseball's greatest dynasty, Collins won six World Series titles (1949-1953 and 1956), appearing in seven Fall Classics. His signature moment came in Game One of the 1955 World Series, when he homered twice off Brooklyn's Don Newcombe. Teammates nicknamed him "Old 97" for his ever-changing batting stances. He legally changed his surname to Collins in 1954, and when the Yankees sold him to the Phillies before the 1958 season he chose to retire rather than leave New York.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 612 | 2 | 8 | 40 | 83 | 165 | 154 | 160 | 0 |
| SGC | 97 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 16 | 22 | 45 | 3 |
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 Joe Collins card?
It is card #9 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 New York Yankees player.
Is the 1953 Topps Joe Collins 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.