1953 Topps #148 Mickey Grasso
1953 Topps #148 Mickey Grasso
About Mickey Grasso
Newton Michael "Mickey" Grasso (1920-1975), a right-handed catcher from Newark, New Jersey, signed his first pro contract in 1941 with the Class B Trenton Senators, where manager Goose Goslin converted the former infielder into a backstop; teammates dubbed him "Mickey" for his resemblance to Hall of Fame catcher Mickey Cochrane. His career was interrupted by World War II: he enlisted in the Army in 1942, served with the 34th Infantry Division, and was captured in Tunisia in February 1943, spending over two years as a German prisoner of war before escaping across the Elbe River in April 1945. Selected by Washington in the 1949 Rule 5 draft, Grasso played all or part of seven big-league seasons (1946-1955) with the New York Giants, Washington Senators, and Cleveland Indians, serving as the Senators' regular catcher in 1952. He batted .226 with 216 hits, 5 home runs, and 87 RBI over 322 games. With the pennant-winning 1954 Indians he made his only World Series appearance, catching in Game 1 against the Giants when Dusty Rhodes hit his famous walk-off homer, and remains the only former POW to play in a World Series. His 1953 Topps card (#148) exists with a minor printing variation, the back biography appearing in either black or white text.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Designations, variations & errors
White-text biography
A minor printing variation: on some copies the back biography is printed in white text, on others in black text. Catalogued by TCDB (and noted by price guides for the series-2 range) but considered a minor variation, not a headline.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 420 | 0 | 3 | 42 | 65 | 130 | 92 | 88 | 0 |
| SGC | 44 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 12 | 22 | 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 Mickey Grasso card?
It is card #148 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 Washington Senators player.
Is the 1953 Topps Mickey Grasso 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.