1956 Topps #73 Wayne Terwilliger
1956 Topps #73 Wayne Terwilliger
About Wayne Terwilliger
Willard Wayne "Twig" Terwilliger was a right-handed second baseman born June 27, 1925, in Clare, Michigan. A Marine Corps veteran who saw combat on Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima during World War II, he starred as a shortstop at Western Michigan College before the Chicago Cubs signed him in 1948. He debuted with the Cubs on August 6, 1949, and was their regular second baseman in 1950 (.242, 10 HR). In a landmark 1951 deal he went to the Brooklyn Dodgers alongside Andy Pafko, Johnny Schmitz, and Rube Walker. Over nine MLB seasons (1949-1960) with the Cubs, Dodgers, Washington Senators, New York Giants (1955-56), and Kansas City Athletics, he hit .240 with 501 hits, 22 home runs, and 162 RBI in 666 games. Nicknamed "Twig" for his lanky frame and surname, he later coached for decades, winning World Series rings with the Twins in 1987 and 1991, and managed in the minors into his 80s. He died February 3, 2021. This card exists with both white and gray (scarcer) back stock.
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 | 929 | 1 | 36 | 279 | 267 | 186 | 97 | 63 | 0 |
| SGC | 65 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 20 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 1 |
PSA by variation: Gray Back 243 · White Back 686
SGC by variation: Gray Back 37 · Gray Back (Overprint - Kellner) 1 · White Back 27
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 New York Giants cards
- Ruben Gomez
- Bobby Hofman
- Windy McCall
- Dusty Rhodes
- Gail Harris
- Bob Lennon
- Willie Mays
- Johnny Antonelli
- Alvin Dark
- Wes Westrum
- Hank Thompson
- Jim Hearn
- Whitey Lockman
- New York Giants Team
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1956 Topps Wayne Terwilliger card?
It is card #73 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 New York Giants player.
Does the 1956 Topps Wayne Terwilliger 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 Wayne Terwilliger 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.