1956 Topps #176 Alex Kellner
1956 Topps #176 Alex Kellner
About Alex Kellner
A Tucson, Arizona native, Alex Kellner was signed by Cincinnati Reds scout Mickey Shader in 1941 at age 16 and worked his way up through the minor leagues, an ascent interrupted by U.S. Navy service in the South Pacific aboard the USS Callaghan from 1943 to 1946. A left-handed pitcher, he reached the majors with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1948 and spent 12 seasons in the big leagues, staying with the Athletics through their 1955 move to Kansas City before finishing with the Cincinnati Reds (1958) and St. Louis Cardinals (1959). His breakthrough came as a rookie in 1949, when he won 20 games and led the American League in innings pitched (245) and complete games (19), earning an All-Star selection and becoming the first Athletics pitcher since Lefty Grove in 1933 to reach 20 victories. He earned a footnote in franchise history by throwing the first American League pitch in Kansas City on April 17, 1955. Kellner compiled a career record of 101-112 with a 4.41 ERA and 816 strikeouts; his younger brother Walt Kellner also pitched for the Athletics. This #176 card exists with both the scarcer white-back and the common gray-back cardboard stock used in the set's second series.
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 | 752 | 3 | 28 | 205 | 197 | 156 | 96 | 67 | 0 |
| SGC | 52 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 15 | 0 |
PSA by variation: Gray Back 694 · White Back 58
SGC by variation: Gray Back 45 · White Back 7
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 Alex Kellner card?
It is card #176 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 Kansas City Athletics player.
Does the 1956 Topps Alex Kellner 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 Alex Kellner 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.