1953 Topps #59 Karl Drews
1953 Topps #59 Karl Drews
About Karl Drews
A lanky 6-foot-4 right-handed pitcher from Staten Island, Karl Drews was signed by the New York Yankees in the fall of 1938 after a tryout camp, while still a high school senior, and worked his way up through a long minor-league apprenticeship (1939-1946). He reached the majors with the Yankees in 1946 and pitched eight big-league seasons for the Yankees (1946-1948), St. Louis Browns (1948-1949), Philadelphia Phillies (1951-1954), and Cincinnati Redlegs (1954), going 44-53 with a 4.76 ERA and 322 strikeouts over 218 games. As a rookie he was a member of the 1947 World Series champions, appearing in two games in relief against the Dodgers. His finest year came with the 1952 Phillies, when he won 14 games with a 2.72 ERA and tied for third in the National League with five shutouts. In May 1950 he fractured his skull when struck by a batter's knee and had a silver plate installed; by his own account the incident sharpened his control and focus. Drews was killed on August 15, 1963, at age 43, struck by a drunk driver while tending his stalled car in Dania, Florida; his grandson Matt Drews was a first-round Yankees draft pick in 1993.
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 | 664 | 0 | 11 | 114 | 144 | 163 | 106 | 126 | 0 |
| SGC | 55 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 21 | 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 Karl Drews card?
It is card #59 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 Phillies 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 Karl Drews 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.