1956 Topps #25 Ted Kluszewski
1956 Topps #25 Ted Kluszewski
About Ted Kluszewski
A hulking left-handed first baseman, Ted Kluszewski starred as a football tight end and baseball slugger at Indiana University, where Cincinnati's groundskeeper spotted him launching 500-foot home runs; the Reds signed him and he debuted in 1947. Over 15 seasons (1947-1961) he played for the Reds, Pirates, White Sox and Angels, spending his best years in Cincinnati. Nicknamed "Big Klu" for his massive build, he famously cut the sleeves off his jersey because they constricted his 15-inch biceps and restricted his swing, and the sleeveless look became his trademark. A four-time NL All-Star (1953-1956), he peaked in 1954 when he led the league with 49 home runs and 141 RBI, batted .326, and finished second to Willie Mays in MVP voting. He retired with a .298 average, 279 home runs and 1,028 RBI, and shone in the 1959 World Series for the White Sox, hitting .391 with 3 homers and 10 RBI. This Series 1 card exists with both common white and scarcer gray back stock; Kluszewski was never elected to the Hall of Fame.
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 | 1,629 | 1 | 14 | 256 | 413 | 374 | 273 | 295 | 3 |
| SGC | 292 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 46 | 50 | 74 | 100 | 7 |
PSA by variation: Gray Back 422 · White Back 1,207
SGC by variation: Gray Back 127 · Gray Back (Overprint - Berra) 1 · White Back 164
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 Ted Kluszewski card?
It is card #25 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 Ted Kluszewski 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 Ted Kluszewski 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.