1956 Topps #192 Smoky Burgess
1956 Topps #192 Smoky Burgess
About Smoky Burgess
A stocky, left-handed-hitting catcher, Forrest "Smoky" Burgess reached the majors with the Chicago Cubs in 1949 after the Cubs signed him in 1944 (an earlier Cardinals deal had been voided by Commissioner Landis for his youth). Over 18 seasons (1949-1967) he caught for the Cubs, Phillies, Reds, Pirates and White Sox, and on this 1956 Topps card he is shown with the Cincinnati Redlegs, where he starred in the mid-1950s. A six-time All-Star selected to nine National League All-Star squads, Burgess was prized for his bat, hitting .295 for his career with 1,318 hits, 126 home runs and 673 RBIs, and batting a scorching .368 in 1954. He anchored the Pittsburgh Pirates' 1960 World Series champions, hitting .333 in the seven-game upset of the Yankees. Late in his career he became baseball's premier pinch hitter, retiring with a then-record 145 career pinch hits (later broken by Manny Mota in 1979). His nickname "Smoky" has several attributed origins, from the nearby Smoky Mountains to his lack of foot speed.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 679 | 2 | 15 | 157 | 180 | 172 | 92 | 61 | 0 |
| SGC | 62 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 19 | 9 | 17 | 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 Smoky Burgess card?
It is card #192 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 Smoky Burgess 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.