1956 Topps #163 Gene Woodling
1956 Topps #163 Gene Woodling
About Gene Woodling
A left-handed line-drive hitter born in Akron, Ohio in 1922, Gene Woodling was signed off the East High sandlots by Cleveland scout Bill Bradley and reached the majors briefly with the Indians in 1943 before Navy service in World War II. After being named The Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year for hitting .385 with the San Francisco Seals in 1948, he was purchased by the New York Yankees and anchored their outfield from 1949 to 1954, sharing left field with Hank Bauer as the pair dubbed the "Gold Dust Twins." Woodling was a key member of the Yankees' record five consecutive World Series champions from 1949 through 1953, batting .318 across those five Fall Classics with a .348 mark in 1952 (including a Game 7 home run) and a leadoff homer in Game 5 of the 1953 Series. Returning to the Cleveland Indians in mid-1955 through 1957 — the team on this 1956 card — he thrived at home, posting career highs in 1957 with a .321 average, 19 homers, and 78 RBI. His lone All-Star selection came in 1959 with Baltimore. Over 17 seasons he batted .284 with 147 home runs, 830 RBI, and 1,585 hits. Like all cards numbered 1-180 in the 1956 set, #163 exists 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 | 797 | 1 | 14 | 188 | 215 | 191 | 111 | 77 | 0 |
| SGC | 63 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 16 | 11 | 11 | 15 | 0 |
PSA by variation: Gray Back 733 · White Back 64
SGC by variation: Gray Back 58 · White Back 5
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 Woodling card?
It is card #163 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 Cleveland Indians player.
Does the 1956 Topps Gene Woodling 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 Woodling 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.