1953 Topps #173 Preston Ward
1953 Topps #173 Preston Ward
About Preston Ward
A left-handed-hitting first baseman, Preston Meyer Ward (born July 24, 1927, in Columbia, Missouri) entered pro ball in the Brooklyn Dodgers' farm system in 1944 at age 16 and attended Missouri State University; he was even drafted by the NBA-era St. Louis Bombers in 1949 but never played pro basketball. Ward reached the majors with Brooklyn in 1948 and, after being acquired by the Chicago Cubs, split first base with veteran Phil Cavarretta in 1950, batting .253 with 6 home runs. He missed the 1951 and 1952 seasons for military service during the Korean War before returning in 1953, the year of this Cubs card—though he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates that same season. Over nine major-league seasons (1948–1959) with the Dodgers, Cubs, Pirates, Cleveland Indians, and Kansas City Athletics, the utility man who also saw time in the outfield and at third base hit .253 with 522 hits, 50 home runs, and 262 RBI in 744 games. He died June 2, 2013, in Las Vegas at age 85.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 522 | 0 | 5 | 64 | 112 | 153 | 110 | 77 | 1 |
| SGC | 57 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 14 | 5 | 13 | 17 | 4 |
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 Preston Ward card?
It is card #173 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 Cubs player.
Is the 1953 Topps Preston Ward 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.