1956 Topps #105 Al Smith
1956 Topps #105 Al Smith
About Al Smith
Alphonse Eugene "Fuzzy" Smith (1928-2002) was a versatile outfielder and third baseman who reached the majors after starting in the Negro Leagues, signing at 17 with the Cleveland Buckeyes in 1946 and helping them win a pennant. Cleveland Indians scout Laddie Placek signed him in 1948, and after strong minor-league seasons at Wilkes-Barre, San Diego, and Indianapolis, Smith debuted for the Indians on July 10, 1953. He played 12 big-league seasons for the Indians (1953-57, 1964), Chicago White Sox (1958-62), Baltimore Orioles (1963), and Boston Red Sox (1964), batting .272 with 1,458 hits and 164 home runs. In 1954 he scored 101 runs for the 111-win pennant winners and led off the World Series against the Giants with a home run. His breakout 1955 season—.306 with 22 homers while leading the AL with 123 runs scored—brought his first of two All-Star selections (1955, 1960) and a third-place MVP finish. Nicknamed "Fuzzy" as a teenager, Smith is best remembered for the famous photo of a fan's beer spilling over him during the 1959 World Series. This series-two card exists with the scarcer white back and the more common gray back.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Variations & how to tell them apart
White Back / Gray Back Series 1 & 2 (cards 1-180)
Every card #1-180 exists with the reverse printed on white/cream card stock OR on gray card stock. Cards #181-340 are gray-back only. The scarcity FLIPS at #100: on cards 1-100 the gray back is slightly scarcer (a modest premium); on cards 101-180 the gray backs are far more common (about 12-15 to 1), so the WHITE back is the scarce, premium variation - often +50% or more, and disproportionately so in high grade, since the white-stock cards tend to be more brittle.
- White Back: Printed on white/cream card stock. The standard/common look on cards 1-100; the SCARCE, premium variation on cards 101-180.
- Gray Back: Printed on gray card stock. The scarcer variation on cards 1-100 (modest premium); the common look on cards 101-180; the ONLY back on cards 181-340.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 814 | 1 | 14 | 196 | 235 | 181 | 106 | 81 | 0 |
| SGC | 57 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 17 | 13 | 6 | 10 | 1 |
PSA by variation: Gray Back 721 · White Back 93
SGC by variation: Gray Back 52 · White Back 5
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-30. 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 1956 Topps Al Smith card?
It is card #105 of 340 in the 1956 Topps set - Topps' first set after buying out rival Bowman, and one of the most attractive issues in the hobby. It pictures the Cleveland Indians player.
Does the 1956 Topps Al Smith have back variations?
Yes. Every card #1-180 exists with the reverse printed on white/cream card stock OR on gray card stock. Cards #181-340 are gray-back only. The scarcity FLIPS at #100: on cards 1-100 the gray back is slightly scarcer (a modest premium); on cards 101-180 the gray backs are far more common (about 12-15 to 1), so the WHITE back is the scarce, premium variation - often +50% or more, and disproportionately so in high grade, since the white-stock cards tend to be more brittle.
Is the 1956 Topps Al Smith valuable?
Value depends on grade and (where it applies) the back or front variation. Use the links above to check current T206 Cards inventory and live eBay listings.
Sources: Trading Card Database, Baseball-Reference, BaseballCardPedia, PSA & SGC population reports, and Baseball-Almanac. Card data, images & population compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-07-01.