1955 Topps #27 Billy Gardner
1955 Topps #27 Billy Gardner
About Billy Gardner
William Frederick "Shotgun" Gardner (1927-2024) was a right-handed second baseman signed by the New York Giants in 1945 out of his native Connecticut. He reached the majors with the Giants in 1954 - the year they swept the World Series - and this 1955 Topps card is his rookie card. Over ten seasons (1954-1963) he played for the Giants, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, and Boston Red Sox, batting .237 with 841 hits, 41 home runs, and 271 RBI across 1,034 games. A slick fielder nicknamed "Shotgun" for his rifle throwing arm, his best year came with Baltimore in 1957, when he led the American League in doubles (36) and at-bats (644). Gardner was a two-time World Series champion, winning with the 1954 Giants and the 1961 Yankees. After his playing days he coached and then managed, running the Minnesota Twins from 1981 to 1985 and the Kansas City Royals in 1987, compiling a 330-417 record as a big-league skipper.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 782 | 0 | 13 | 166 | 228 | 198 | 110 | 66 | 1 |
| SGC | 45 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 0 |
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.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1955 Topps Billy Gardner card?
It is card #27 of 206 in the 1955 Topps set - Topps' first fully horizontal design. It pictures the New York Giants player, and is his rookie card.
Is the 1955 Topps Billy Gardner valuable?
Value depends on grade. 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.