1956 Topps #249 Johnny Klippstein
1956 Topps #249 Johnny Klippstein
About Johnny Klippstein
A hard-throwing right-hander from Washington, D.C., Johnny Klippstein signed with the Cardinals organization out of a Wisconsin tryout camp as a teenager, was drafted away by Brooklyn and then the Cubs, and debuted with Chicago in 1950. Over 18 big-league seasons (1950-1967) he pitched for eight clubs, including the Cincinnati Redlegs pictured on this 1956 Topps card, plus the Cubs, Dodgers, Indians, Senators, Phillies, Twins and Tigers. Converted from struggling starter to effective reliever, he went 101-118 with a 4.24 ERA, 66 saves and 1,158 strikeouts in 711 games. His defining moment came May 26, 1956, as a Redleg: he threw seven no-hit innings against Milwaukee before being lifted, and Hersh Freeman and Joe Black finished a nine-inning three-man no-hitter (MLB later stripped the game from its official list in 1991). Klippstein won a World Series ring with the 1959 Dodgers, tied for the 1960 AL saves lead with 14, and pitched in the 1965 World Series for the pennant-winning Twins. His chronic wildness earned him the nickname "The Wild Man of Borneo."
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 561 | 3 | 11 | 152 | 159 | 124 | 70 | 42 | 0 |
| SGC | 40 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 9 | 6 | 0 |
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 Johnny Klippstein card?
It is card #249 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 Cincinnati Redlegs player.
Is the 1956 Topps Johnny Klippstein 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.