1957 Topps #296 Johnny Klippstein
Scarce fourth series: #265-352 is the tough run of the 1957 set — roughly twice as hard to find as the other series ("tough, not rare"). No documented reason survives; the best-researched account is that Topps printed the hastily assembled final series in quantity and left Series 4 with the shortest run.
About Johnny Klippstein
Signed by Cardinals scout Pop Kelchner at a 1944 tryout camp when he was just 15, Johnny Klippstein pitched 18 big-league seasons (1950-67) for eight teams, including the Cubs, Redlegs, Dodgers, and Twins. Nicknamed "The Wild Man of Borneo" for his chronic wildness — he walked 107 batters in 1953 and repeatedly led his league in wild pitches — the right-hander peaked in Cincinnati in 1956 with career highs of 12 wins and 211 innings; that May 26 he threw seven no-hit innings against Milwaukee in a three-pitcher no-hit effort the Braves still won 2-1 in eleven. Converted to relief, he tossed two scoreless innings in Game One of the Dodgers' 1959 World Series championship, tied for the 1960 AL lead with 14 saves, and posted a 2.24 ERA for the pennant-winning 1965 Twins. He finished 101-118 with 66 saves across 711 games. This card hails from Topps' scarce 1957 fourth series.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 493 | 0 | 10 | 140 | 170 | 93 | 52 | 28 | 0 |
| SGC | 30 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-07-05. Half grades fold down for both graders (8.5→8); PSA qualified slabs (OC, ST, PD, MC and the like) are not counted.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1957 Topps Johnny Klippstein card?
It is card #296 of the 1957 Topps Baseball set - the 407-card, 2-1/2 by 3-1/2 inch set that was Topps' first at the modern standard card size, with full-color photography and complete career stats on the back. It pictures Johnny Klippstein, Cincinnati Redlegs.
Is the 1957 Topps #296 hard to find?
It is part of the scarce fourth series (#265-352), the toughest run of the set - roughly twice as hard to find as the other series. It is tough, not rare; there is no documented distribution reason, only that Series 4 had the shortest print run.
How many cards are in the 1957 Topps set?
407 numbered cards. Collectors usually count 408 because #176 Gene Baker exists in an error ('Bakep') and a corrected back. The PSA master set adds the 8 checklists, 4 contest cards and the Lucky Penny for 421 items.
Sources: PSA CardFacts, Beckett, BaseballCardPedia, Baseball-Reference, PSA & SGC population reports, and hobby press-sheet research (Net54 / Topps Archives). Card data compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-10-13.