1956 Topps #128 Eddie Yost
1956 Topps #128 Eddie Yost
About Eddie Yost
Eddie Yost was a right-handed third baseman who signed with the Washington Senators as an amateur free agent in 1944 after attending New York University, and remarkably made his major-league debut on August 16, 1944 at age 17 without ever playing in the minor leagues. Nicknamed "The Walking Man" for his extraordinary ability to draw bases on balls, Yost led the American League in walks six times and logged 1,614 career walks — a total that still ranks him among the top handful of players all-time, ahead of the likes of Willie Mays, Stan Musial and Hank Aaron. Over 18 seasons (1944, 1946-1958 with the Senators, 1959-1960 with Detroit, and 1961-1962 with the Los Angeles Angels), he batted .254 with 1,863 hits, 139 home runs, 683 RBI and a .394 on-base percentage across 2,109 games. His lone All-Star selection came in 1952, when Casey Stengel chose him despite a low average, reportedly saying, "Every time I look up, that feller is on base." In 1956 — the year of this card — Yost hit just .231 but drew a career-high 151 walks (39 more than runner-up Mickey Mantle) to post a .412 on-base percentage. Yost later coached for more than two decades and earned a World Series ring with the 1969 "Miracle" Mets. As a mid-run second-series card, #128 exists in both the scarcer white-back and the common gray-back stock varieties. Yost is not in the Hall of Fame.
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 | 753 | 2 | 11 | 165 | 200 | 158 | 115 | 102 | 0 |
| SGC | 66 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 15 | 11 | 11 | 20 | 0 |
PSA by variation: Gray Back 690 · White Back 63
SGC by variation: Gray Back 57 · White Back 9
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 Eddie Yost card?
It is card #128 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 Washington Nationals player.
Does the 1956 Topps Eddie Yost 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 Eddie Yost 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.