1956 Topps #51 Ernie Oravetz
1956 Topps #51 Ernie Oravetz
About Ernie Oravetz
Ernest Eugene "Ernie" Oravetz (January 24, 1932 – December 3, 2006), a switch-hitting outfielder who threw left-handed, is remembered chiefly for his stature: at 5-foot-4 and 145 pounds he entered the record books as the smallest player in the major leagues in 1955. A Johnstown, Pennsylvania native, he tore up the low minors in his first pro season of 1951, leading the Class D Florida State League in batting (.362) and runs scored (122) and earning an All-Star nod; he batted .311 across his minor-league career. His climb was interrupted by two years of Army service, including a tour in Germany, before he debuted with the Washington Senators (officially the Nationals) on April 11, 1955. Oravetz spent both of his major-league seasons (1955–1956) with Washington, appearing in 188 games and hitting .263 with 105 hits, eight doubles, three triples, no home runs, and 36 RBI. Sent back to the high minors after 1956, he played several more seasons before retiring and later worked 30 years for the post office. This is his rookie card, issued as card #51 with the set's white- and gray-back stock variation, the gray back being the scarcer of the two.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference
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 | 818 | 0 | 17 | 237 | 241 | 174 | 102 | 47 | 0 |
| SGC | 69 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 25 | 6 | 13 | 10 | 2 |
PSA by variation: Gray Back 214 · White Back 604
SGC by variation: Gray Back 41 · Gray Back (Overprint - Avila) 1 · White Back 27
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 Ernie Oravetz card?
It is card #51 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, and is his first Topps card (rookie).
Does the 1956 Topps Ernie Oravetz 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 Ernie Oravetz 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.