1956 Topps #142 Gene Baker
1956 Topps #142 Gene Baker
About Gene Baker
A slick-fielding infielder born in Davenport, Iowa in 1925, Gene Baker served in the U.S. Navy before starring at shortstop for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro American League in 1948-1949. Signed by the Chicago Cubs organization in 1950, he tore up the Triple-A Pacific Coast League with the Los Angeles Angels, and when his contract was purchased on September 1, 1953, Baker became the first African-American player on the Cubs' major-league roster - a week ahead of teammate Ernie Banks. Shifted to second base to make room for Banks at shortstop, Baker and Banks formed the first African-American keystone (double-play) combination in big-league history. His best year came in 1955, when he hit .268, led the National League with 18 sacrifice hits, and earned an All-Star selection. Traded with Dee Fondy to the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 1, 1957, Baker was a reserve infielder on the Pirates' 1960 World Series champions. He later broke fresh ground as the first Black manager in Organized Baseball (Batavia, 1961). Over eight major-league seasons he batted .265 with 39 home runs and 227 RBI. This card (#142, second series) exists with both the scarcer white back and the common gray back stock characteristic of the 1956 Topps set's early 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 | 968 | 1 | 23 | 270 | 292 | 202 | 112 | 68 | 0 |
| SGC | 63 | 0 | 5 | 11 | 18 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 0 |
PSA by variation: Gray Back 897 · White Back 71
SGC by variation: Gray Back 57 · White Back 6
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 Gene Baker card?
It is card #142 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 Cubs player.
Does the 1956 Topps Gene Baker 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 Gene Baker 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.