1954 Topps #31 Johnny Klippstein
1954 Topps #31 Johnny Klippstein
About Johnny Klippstein
A durable right-handed pitcher, Johnny Klippstein was signed by Cardinals scout Pop Kelchner in 1944 and broke in with Allentown of the Class B Interstate League before reaching the majors with the Chicago Cubs on May 3, 1950. Over 18 seasons (1950-1967) he pitched for nine clubs — the Cubs, Cincinnati Redlegs/Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, Washington Senators, Phillies, Twins, and Tigers — working mostly in relief across 711 games and finishing 101-118 with a 4.24 ERA, 1,158 strikeouts, and 66 saves. His wildness earned him the nickname "The Wild Man of Borneo," borrowed from a 1941 film. On May 26, 1956, he threw seven no-hit innings for Cincinnati in what became an unprecedented three-man no-hitter through nine (later stripped from the official records in 1991). He served mop-up duty for the 1959 World Series champion Dodgers, tied for the AL lead with 14 saves for Cleveland in 1960, and posted a 2.24 ERA for Minnesota's 1965 pennant winners. This is his first-series Cubs card, printed with the set's white or gray back stock.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Variations & how to tell them apart
White Back / Gray Back Series 1 (cards 1-50)
Every card in the first series exists with the standard white/cream back (United States) and a scarcer gray back printed for the Canadian market. The grays were printed in Canada on a darker, gray cardstock and distributed in Canadian nickel packs; they exist for cards 1-50 only and carry a small-to-moderate premium. This is the genuine 'Canadian' issue from which the 1952 Topps gray-back 'Canadian' myth mistakenly borrowed its name.
- White Back: Standard United States issue. White/cream card stock - the common back for cards 1-50.
- Gray Back — scarcer: The Canadian printing. Printed in Canada on a visibly gray/darker cardstock and distributed in Canadian packs; exists for the first series (#1-50) only. Scarcer than the white back and carries a premium - modest on commons, meaningful on the stars (Williams, Robinson, Spahn, Snider, Ford, Berra, etc.). Tell: the back stock is uniformly gray - not to be confused with edge-toning on a white back.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 693 | 1 | 14 | 139 | 205 | 143 | 97 | 94 | 0 |
| SGC | 71 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 21 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 1 |
PSA by back: White Back 677 · Gray Back 16
SGC by back: White Back 70 · Gray Back 1
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-26. Half-grades fold down (8.5→8); totals are summed across each grader's listed variations.
Find this card
Search T206 Cards Find on eBay
As an eBay Partner Network affiliate, T206Cards.com may earn from qualifying purchases.
More Chicago Cubs cards
- Hank Sauer
- Paul Minner
- Phil Cavarretta
- Frank Baumholtz
- Jim Willis
- Bob Scheffing
- Howie Pollet
- Ernie Banks
- Bob Talbot
- Ray Blades
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1954 Topps Johnny Klippstein card?
It is card #31 of 250 in the 1954 Topps set, issued at the peak of the Topps-Bowman 'Card Wars'. It pictures the Chicago Cubs player.
Does the 1954 Topps Johnny Klippstein have back variations?
Yes. Every card in the first series exists with the standard white/cream back (United States) and a scarcer gray back printed for the Canadian market. The grays were printed in Canada on a darker, gray cardstock and distributed in Canadian nickel packs; they exist for cards 1-50 only and carry a small-to-moderate premium. This is the genuine 'Canadian' issue from which the 1952 Topps gray-back 'Canadian' myth mistakenly borrowed its name.
Is the 1954 Topps Johnny Klippstein valuable?
Value depends on grade and (where it applies) the back variation. 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.