1956 Topps #149 Dixie Howell
1956 Topps #149 Dixie Howell
About Dixie Howell
Millard Filmore "Dixie" Howell was a right-handed relief pitcher whose card in the 1956 Topps set captures him during a remarkable late-career run with the Chicago White Sox. Born January 7, 1920, in Harold, Kentucky, he was recommended to a Logan, West Virginia, pro club at age 17 and signed by a Cleveland affiliate, which converted the left-handed-hitting outfielder into a pitcher. He picked up the nickname "Dixie" in 1937 when fans at Logan games would call out "come on, Dixie." After a brief 1940 look with Cleveland and 19 seasons in the minors (194 wins, including a 1950 no-hitter for Minneapolis), Howell finally stuck in the majors with the White Sox, appearing in 33 big-league games across parts of four seasons with Cleveland, the Cincinnati Reds (1949), and Chicago (1955-1958). His breakout came at age 35 in 1955, when he anchored Chicago's bullpen with career-high win and save totals; manager Marty Marion called him "the salvation of our bullpen." A notable slugger for a reliever, Howell homered twice at Comiskey Park on Father's Day, June 16, 1957. He had earlier served in the Army during World War II and spent roughly eight months as a German prisoner of war after being captured in 1944. Howell died of a heart attack during spring training in March 1960. As a second-series card, #149 is found with both the scarcer white and the common gray back stock.
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 | 750 | 1 | 16 | 193 | 227 | 160 | 94 | 58 | 1 |
| SGC | 70 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 27 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 0 |
PSA by variation: Gray Back 671 · White Back 79
SGC by variation: Gray Back 60 · White Back 10
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.
Find this card
Search T206 Cards Find on eBay
As an eBay Partner Network affiliate, T206Cards.com may earn from qualifying purchases.
More Chicago White Sox cards
- Dick Donovan
- Jack Harshman
- Bob Kennedy
- Bob Keegan
- Jim Rivera
- Nellie Fox
- Minnie Minoso
- Leroy Powell
- Billy Pierce
- Ron Jackson
- Chicago White Sox Team
- George Kell
- Walt Dropo
- Sherm Lollar
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1956 Topps Dixie Howell card?
It is card #149 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 Chicago White Sox player.
Does the 1956 Topps Dixie Howell 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 Dixie Howell 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.