1956 Topps #177 Hank Bauer
1956 Topps #177 Hank Bauer
About Hank Bauer
A hard-nosed right fielder born in East St. Louis, Illinois, Henry Albert "Hank" Bauer joined the Yankees organization as a young prospect before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in January 1942; he served through 32 months of Pacific combat at Guadalcanal, Guam, and Okinawa, earning two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts. Signed to a Yankee farm contract after the war, he reached the majors and became New York's starting right fielder, playing from 1948-1959 before finishing with the Kansas City Athletics (1960-1961). A three-time All-Star (1952-1954), Bauer batted .277 with 164 home runs and 703 RBI over 1,544 games and won seven World Series titles as a Yankee. He set the World Series record with hits in 17 consecutive games, spanning the 1956, 1957, and 1958 Series, and belted four homers in the 1958 classic. Sportswriter Jim Murray famously said his weathered face looked "like a clenched fist," fitting his fierce, demanding clubhouse leadership. Bauer later managed the Baltimore Orioles to their first championship, a stunning 1966 World Series sweep of the Dodgers. As a #177 card in the second series, it exists in both the scarcer white-back and common gray-back stock. He is not enshrined in the Baseball 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 | 1,332 | 2 | 15 | 238 | 317 | 313 | 208 | 238 | 1 |
| SGC | 188 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 29 | 29 | 45 | 72 | 2 |
PSA by variation: Gray Back 1,201 · White Back 131
SGC by variation: Gray Back 166 · White Back 22
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 Hank Bauer card?
It is card #177 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 New York Yankees player.
Does the 1956 Topps Hank Bauer 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 Hank Bauer 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.