1953 Topps #121 Walt Dropo
1953 Topps #121 Walt Dropo
About Walt Dropo
A three-sport standout at the University of Connecticut, Walt Dropo turned down the NFL's Chicago Bears and pro basketball's Providence Steamrollers to sign with the Boston Red Sox in 1947 after a Fenway Park tryout. The 6-foot-5 first baseman debuted in 1949 and produced one of the great rookie seasons ever in 1950, winning American League Rookie of the Year: he led the league in RBIs (144, tied with teammate Vern Stephens) and total bases (326) while batting .322 with 34 home runs, and became only the fifth rookie to start an All-Star Game. A fractured right wrist in 1951 cut short his stardom. Traded to the Detroit Tigers in a nine-player deal in June 1952, he tied a big-league record that July with 12 consecutive hits, matching Pinky Higgins's mark. Nicknamed "Moose"—"The Moose from Moosup," after his Connecticut hometown and his hulking frame—Dropo played 13 seasons for five clubs, retiring with a .270 average, 152 home runs, and 704 RBIs. This 1953 Topps card, No. 121, shows him with Detroit, where he landed after the 1952 trade. He died in 2010.
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 | 424 | 0 | 7 | 52 | 71 | 112 | 102 | 80 | 0 |
| SGC | 55 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 15 | 21 | 0 |
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 Walt Dropo card?
It is card #121 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 Detroit Tigers player.
Is the 1953 Topps Walt Dropo 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.