1956 Topps #26 Grady Hatton
1956 Topps #26 Grady Hatton
About Grady Hatton
Grady Hatton (1922-2013), pictured here with the Boston Red Sox, was a Texas-born infielder who starred at the University of Texas before serving in the Army Air Forces during World War II. He honored a contract with the Cincinnati Reds and reached the majors in 1946 with no minor-league seasoning, immediately taking over as Cincinnati's regular third baseman and hitting .271 with 14 home runs and 69 RBI as a rookie. Hatton anchored the Reds' infield for most of eight seasons (1946-1954), shifting to second base in 1952, the year he was named a National League All-Star (a reserve who did not appear in the game). Traded during the 1954 season, he served as Boston's third baseman in 1954-1955 before splitting 1956 among the Red Sox, Cardinals, and Orioles. Over 12 seasons and 1,312 games he batted .254 with 1,068 hits, 91 home runs, and 533 RBI, later managing the Houston Astros (1966-1968). As a Series 1 card, his #26 exists in both the common white-back and scarcer 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 | 826 | 0 | 15 | 239 | 250 | 162 | 87 | 73 | 0 |
| SGC | 63 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 15 | 7 | 12 | 18 | 1 |
PSA by variation: Gray Back 222 · White Back 604
SGC by variation: Gray Back 39 · White Back 24
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 Grady Hatton card?
It is card #26 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 Boston Red Sox player.
Does the 1956 Topps Grady Hatton 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 Grady Hatton 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.