1956 Topps #184 Don Bessent
1956 Topps #184 Don Bessent
About Don Bessent
Signed out of high school by the New York Yankees in 1950, right-hander Don Bessent threw a no-hitter and went 22-7 in Class D ball before a back injury led the Brooklyn Dodgers to draft him in 1952. He reached the majors on July 17, 1955, winning both ends of a doubleheader against Cincinnati in his debut, and finished a superb rookie year at 8-1 with a 2.70 ERA out of the bullpen. Nicknamed "The Weasel" by teammates who thought his sharp facial features resembled the animal, Bessent posted the Dodgers' best staff ERA in both 1955 and 1956, adding nine saves and a 2.50 ERA in 1956. He shone in October: he pitched 3⅓ scoreless innings in the 1955 World Series as Brooklyn won its only title, then earned the win in relief in Game 2 of the 1956 Series against the Yankees. Arm trouble ended his effectiveness, and he last pitched in 1958, finishing 14-7 with a 3.33 ERA. This #184 card is Bessent's rookie card, issued in the set's third series. Born in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1931, he died in 1990.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 689 | 2 | 8 | 187 | 183 | 154 | 94 | 61 | 0 |
| SGC | 67 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 8 | 13 | 0 |
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 Don Bessent card?
It is card #184 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 Brooklyn Dodgers player, and is his first Topps card (rookie).
Is the 1956 Topps Don Bessent 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.