1956 Topps #81 Wally Westlake
1956 Topps #81 Wally Westlake
About Wally Westlake
Waldon Thomas "Wally" Westlake was a right-handed outfielder from Gridley, California, who played four minor-league seasons (1940-42 and 1946, his development interrupted by World War II service) before signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates and reaching the majors on April 15, 1947. Over a ten-year career (1947-1956) he suited up for the Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, and, in his final 1956 season, the Philadelphia Phillies pictured on this card. Westlake's signature feat was hitting for the cycle twice, both with Pittsburgh less than a year apart, on July 30, 1948 against the Brooklyn Dodgers and again on June 14, 1949 versus the Boston Braves. He earned a spot on the 1951 National League All-Star team and appeared in the 1954 World Series with the pennant-winning Cleveland Indians. For his career he batted .272 with 127 home runs and 539 RBIs across 958 games. As card #81 in the 1956 Topps set, it exists with both white-back and scarcer gray-back stock, a hallmark variation of the set's lower series (#1-180).
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 | 809 | 0 | 18 | 214 | 254 | 173 | 93 | 56 | 1 |
| SGC | 55 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 16 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 1 |
PSA by variation: Gray Back 228 · White Back 581
SGC by variation: Gray Back 29 · Gray Back (Overprint - Roselli) 1 · White Back 25
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 Wally Westlake card?
It is card #81 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 Wally Westlake 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 Wally Westlake 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.