1956 Topps #120 Richie Ashburn
1956 Topps #120 Richie Ashburn
About Richie Ashburn
A speedy, contact-hitting center fielder from Tilden, Nebraska, Richie Ashburn signed with the Philadelphia Phillies after two earlier contracts were voided by Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis, and he was converted from catcher to the outfield in the minors to take advantage of his blazing speed. He debuted in 1948 and spent 15 major-league seasons, starring for the Phillies (1948-1959) before finishing with the Chicago Cubs (1960-1961) and the expansion New York Mets (1962). A left-handed spray hitter and elite leadoff man, he batted .308 with 2,574 hits, 234 stolen bases, and just 29 home runs, winning two National League batting titles (.338 in 1955 and a career-high .350 in 1958), leading the league in hits three times and repeatedly pacing the NL in walks and on-base percentage. Peerless defensively, he set records with his run of 400-plus putout seasons in center field. He anchored the 1950 "Whiz Kids" pennant winners, and in that season's final game his throw nailed Cal Abrams at the plate to keep Philadelphia alive before Dick Sisler's clinching home run. Nicknamed "Putt-Putt" (coined by Ted Williams for his speed) and "Whitey" for his light-blond hair, Ashburn became a beloved Phillies broadcaster from 1963 until his death in 1997 and was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1995. On this #120 card, note the 1956 Topps white-versus-gray back-stock variation found on the set's lower numbers, with the white back being the scarcer of the two.
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 | 2,256 | 1 | 25 | 309 | 464 | 504 | 385 | 566 | 2 |
| SGC | 543 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 61 | 92 | 111 | 246 | 13 |
PSA by variation: Gray Back 2,051 · White Back 205
SGC by variation: Gray Back 478 · White Back 65
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 Richie Ashburn card?
It is card #120 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 Philadelphia Phillies player.
Does the 1956 Topps Richie Ashburn 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 Richie Ashburn 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.