1953 Topps #10 Smoky Burgess
1953 Topps #10 Smoky Burgess
About Smoky Burgess
Forrest Harrill "Smoky" Burgess (1927-1991), a left-handed-hitting catcher from Caroleen, North Carolina, signed with the Chicago Cubs in 1944 and tore up the minors, winning back-to-back batting titles at Fayetteville (.387, 1947) and Nashville (.386, 1948). He debuted with the Cubs in 1949 and, over an 18-season career (through 1967), played for the Cubs, Phillies, Reds, Pirates, and White Sox, batting .295 with 1,318 hits, 126 home runs, and 673 RBI. A six-time All-Star, he earned two of those selections (1954, 1955) as a Phillie -- the club he's shown with on this 1953 card. His finest moment came with the 1960 world-champion Pittsburgh Pirates, hitting .333 in their seven-game World Series upset of the Yankees. Later a feared bench bat, Burgess retired holding the major-league record for career pinch hits (144). The origin of "Smoky" is debated -- variously tied to the nearby Smoky Mountains, his father's nickname, or his lack of foot speed. This card carries a minor documented back variation, with the biography printed 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 | 562 | 0 | 2 | 49 | 105 | 140 | 119 | 146 | 1 |
| SGC | 89 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 11 | 24 | 43 | 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 Smoky Burgess card?
It is card #10 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.
Is the 1953 Topps Smoky Burgess 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.