Taylor Phillips - 1957 Topps #343
1957 Topps #343 Taylor Phillips
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 Taylor Phillips
William Taylor "T-Bone" Phillips, a left-handed pitcher born June 18, 1933, in Atlanta, entered pro ball in 1951 after scout Skipper Bartlett signed him off a Marietta American Legion team; he chose his hometown Atlanta Crackers over a Yankees offer. Pitching for the Crackers in 1953 alongside another pitcher named Jack Taylor, he was called "T" to avoid confusion, and "Bone" was added later. Recalled by the Milwaukee Braves in June 1956, he struck out Willie Mays in his June 8 debut, went 5-3, and was named the Braves' Rookie of the Year by Milwaukee writers and to The Sporting News 1956 All-Rookie team. He was part of the 1957 world-champion Braves but did not pitch in the World Series. Later dealt to the Cubs, he also pitched for the Phillies and White Sox, finishing 16-22 with a 4.82 ERA over 147 games (102 in relief) through 1963. This scarce Series Four card is his Topps rookie.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 467 | 0 | 6 | 80 | 168 | 110 | 57 | 46 | 0 |
| SGC | 32 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 0 |
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-07-05. Half-grades fold down (8.5→8). PSA counts are straight-graded (the +/Q qualifier rows are excluded).
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1957 Topps Taylor Phillips card?
It is card #343 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 Taylor Phillips, Milwaukee Braves.
Is the 1957 Topps #343 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.
Is the 1957 Topps Taylor Phillips #343 a rookie card?
Yes - it carries the rookie-card designation in the 1957 Topps set.
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 2026-07-05.