1956 Topps #199 Hank Thompson
1956 Topps #199 Hank Thompson
About Hank Thompson
A Negro Leagues star signed out of Oklahoma City, Hank Thompson broke in with the Kansas City Monarchs in the early 1940s, batting .314 as a 17-year-old before serving in the U.S. Army as a machine gunner during World War II, including the Battle of the Bulge. He made his major-league debut on July 17, 1947, with the St. Louis Browns, and with Willard Brown formed part of the first Black players in franchise history. Called up by the New York Giants in 1949, he integrated the club alongside Monte Irvin, making Thompson the only player to help break the color barrier on two different teams; that same day he became the first Black batter to face a Black pitcher (Don Newcombe) in the majors. A hard-hitting third baseman, he anchored the 1951 pennant winners and, with Irvin and Willie Mays, formed the majors' first all-Black outfield in that World Series. In 1954 he helped the Giants sweep Cleveland for the world championship, batting .364 with seven walks in the Series. Over nine seasons he hit .267 with 801 hits, 129 home runs, and 482 RBIs. In Cuban winter ball he earned the nickname "Ametralladora" (Spanish for "machine gun"), a nod to his wartime service. Thompson died on September 30, 1969, at age 43.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 598 | 1 | 11 | 154 | 171 | 154 | 56 | 51 | 0 |
| SGC | 57 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 18 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 2 |
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 Thompson card?
It is card #199 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 Giants player.
Is the 1956 Topps Hank Thompson 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.