1956 Topps #123 Roy McMillan
1956 Topps #123 Roy McMillan
About Roy McMillan
Roy McMillan was the slick-fielding shortstop who anchored the Cincinnati infield through the 1950s, the era when the franchise appeared on cards as the "Redlegs" — the name it carries on this 1956 Topps issue. A native of Bonham, Texas (born July 17, 1929; died 1997), he was discovered at a 1947 Reds tryout camp in McKinney, Texas by scout Hack Miller, who prized his knack for catching the ball on the half-hop; McMillan had reportedly played only one baseball game before that tryout. After minor-league stops at Ballinger, Tyler, Columbia and Tulsa, he debuted with Cincinnati in 1951 and played 16 major-league seasons — for the Reds/Redlegs (1951–1960), the Milwaukee Braves (1961–1964) and the New York Mets (1964–1966). Nicknamed "Mr. Shortstop" for his defense, he led the National League in fielding percentage four times and paced the league in double plays for four straight seasons (1953–1956) alongside double-play partner Johnny Temple. A two-time All-Star (1956, 1957), he won the Gold Glove in each of the award's first three years (1957–1959) and was named the Reds' team MVP in 1956. He was a light hitter, batting .243 with 1,639 hits, 68 home runs and 594 RBIs over 2,093 games, and he never reached the postseason. Cincinnati inducted him into the Reds Hall of Fame in 1971. On this second-series card, collectors will find the standard white/gray back-stock variation, with the white-back copies 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 | 849 | 0 | 21 | 212 | 242 | 198 | 96 | 80 | 0 |
| SGC | 74 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 19 | 14 | 12 | 17 | 0 |
PSA by variation: Gray Back 756 · White Back 93
SGC by variation: Gray Back 65 · White Back 9
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.
Find this card
Search T206 Cards Find on eBay
As an eBay Partner Network affiliate, T206Cards.com may earn from qualifying purchases.
More Cincinnati Redlegs cards
- Ted Kluszewski
- Rudy Minarcin
- Art Fowler
- Ray Jablonski
- Cincinnati Redlegs Team
- Al Silvera
- Wally Post
- Gus Bell
- Joe Black
- Smoky Burgess
- Johnny Temple
- Joe Nuxhall
- Bud Podbielan
- Hersh Freeman
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1956 Topps Roy McMillan card?
It is card #123 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.
Does the 1956 Topps Roy McMillan 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 Roy McMillan 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.