1953 Topps #168 Willard Schmidt
1953 Topps #168 Willard Schmidt
About Willard Schmidt
Willard Raymond Schmidt, a right-handed pitcher born May 29, 1928, in Hays, Kansas (d. 2007), reached the majors with the St. Louis Cardinals on April 19, 1952. Standing 6-foot-1 and 187 pounds, he pitched seven big-league seasons across two stints with the Cardinals (1952-53 and 1955-57) and two years with the Cincinnati Redlegs/Reds (1958-59). His finest year came in 1957, when he went 10-3 and led all National League pitchers with a .769 winning percentage. Over 194 appearances he compiled a 31-29 record, a 3.93 ERA, and 323 strikeouts. Schmidt owns a genuine baseball oddity: on April 26, 1959, pitching for Cincinnati, he became the first player in major-league history to be hit by a pitch twice in the same inning, plunked in the third by Milwaukee Braves hurlers Lew Burdette and Bob Rush. This 1953 Topps card (#168) is his rookie-era Topps issue, capturing him early in his Cardinals tenure.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 450 | 1 | 3 | 59 | 84 | 134 | 81 | 87 | 1 |
| SGC | 59 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 6 | 15 | 22 | 2 |
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 Willard Schmidt card?
It is card #168 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 St. Louis Cardinals player, and is his rookie card.
Is the 1953 Topps Willard Schmidt 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.