1956 Topps #49 Pedro Ramos
1956 Topps #49 Pedro Ramos
About Pedro Ramos
Pedro Ramos, a right-handed pitcher born April 28, 1935 in Pinar del Río, Cuba, was signed at 17 by legendary Senators scout Joe Cambria and reached the majors with Washington in 1955. Over a 15-season career (1955-1970) he pitched for the Senators/Twins franchise, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds, compiling a 117-160 record with a 4.08 ERA and 1,305 strikeouts. A durable workhorse who logged several 200-inning seasons, he was named an AL All-Star in 1959, yet is often remembered for leading the American League in losses four straight years (1958-1961) on chronically weak Washington clubs. Nicknamed "The Cuban Cowboy" and "Pistol Pete" for his rural upbringing and love of western movies—he favored black cowboy attire—Ramos also served up one of Mickey Mantle's most famous tape-measure home runs at Yankee Stadium on May 30, 1956. A capable hitter, he belted 15 career home runs as a pitcher. This is his rookie card; like other #1-100 cards in the 1956 set it exists with both white-back and scarcer gray-back stock. Ramos was elected to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981.
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 | 907 | 1 | 35 | 271 | 264 | 172 | 99 | 65 | 0 |
| SGC | 73 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 19 | 17 | 10 | 12 | 0 |
PSA by variation: Gray Back 238 · White Back 669
SGC by variation: Gray Back 39 · White Back 34
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 Pedro Ramos card?
It is card #49 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 Washington Nationals player, and is his first Topps card (rookie).
Does the 1956 Topps Pedro Ramos 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 Pedro Ramos 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.