1959 Topps #338 Sparky Anderson
Sparky Anderson's rookie card — his card front reads 'George Anderson.' A light-hitting second baseman as a player, he became a Hall of Fame manager (inducted 2000).
About Sparky Anderson
George "Sparky" Anderson earned his nickname in 1955 at Double-A Fort Worth, where his hard-charging, "live wire" base-running style caught the attention of local observers. A light-hitting second baseman, Anderson's entire major league playing career consisted of a single 1959 season with the Philadelphia Phillies, in which he appeared in 152 games — the season depicted on this rookie card, card #338. Though his playing days ended there, Anderson went on to become one of the greatest managers in baseball history, leading the Cincinnati Reds' "Big Red Machine" (1970-1978) and later the Detroit Tigers (1979-1995) over a 26-year managerial career that produced five pennants and three World Series titles (1975, 1976 with Cincinnati; 1984 with Detroit). He became the first manager to win the World Series in both leagues. The Veterans Committee elected Anderson to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000, his first year of eligibility. This 1959 card is his only true playing-career issue, making it a key rookie card despite his brief time on the field.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 2,451 | 2 | 48 | 461 | 615 | 510 | 366 | 446 | 3 |
| SGC | 610 | 0 | 3 | 36 | 123 | 137 | 130 | 177 | 4 |
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-07-05. 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 1959 Topps Sparky Anderson card?
It is card #338 of 572 in the 1959 Topps Baseball set - Topps' largest set to that point, issued across seven series with a circular color photo on every front. It pictures the Philadelphia Phillies player, and is his rookie-era card.
Is the 1959 Topps Sparky Anderson valuable?
Value depends on grade, the series (the high numbers run scarcer), and any 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 2026-07-10.