1956 Topps #234 Pete Runnels
1956 Topps #234 Pete Runnels
About Pete Runnels
James Edward "Pete" Runnels, pictured on card #234 as a Washington infielder, was a left-handed contact hitter who signed with Chickasha of the Class D Sooner League in 1949 after the Cardinals passed on him, then climbed through Texarkana and Chattanooga to reach the majors in 1951. He earned the nickname "Little Pete" after his father, and it followed him for life. Over 14 seasons he played shortstop, second base, and first base for the Washington Senators (1951-58), Boston Red Sox (1958-62), and Houston Colt .45s (1963-64). A five-time All-Star, Runnels won two American League batting crowns with Boston (.320 in 1960, .326 in 1962) and famously lost the 1958 title to teammate Ted Williams on the final day, .328 to .322, earning Comeback Player of the Year honors. He retired a .291 career hitter with 1,854 hits and later coached and briefly managed the Red Sox in 1966. This is a Series 3 card, printed with the gray-back stock that dominates 1956 Topps' higher numbers. He was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2004.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 702 | 2 | 20 | 188 | 212 | 161 | 82 | 37 | 0 |
| SGC | 69 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 27 | 12 | 14 | 8 | 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 Pete Runnels card?
It is card #234 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.
Is the 1956 Topps Pete Runnels 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.