1972 Topps #145 Don Kessinger
About Don Kessinger
Kessinger's #145, a second-series card, shows him with the Cubs. In 1972 he made his fifth consecutive All-Star team and played 146 of his 149 games at shortstop. His .274 average on 158 hits matched his career best from 1966. He scored 77 runs, stole 8 bases and tied for the club lead with six triples.
Don Kessinger was a switch-hitting shortstop who signed with the Chicago Cubs out of the University of Mississippi, where he had also been an All-American basketball player, and played for them from 1964 to 1975. Paired for nine straight years with second baseman Glenn Beckert, Kessinger made six All-Star teams and won two Gold Gloves, repeatedly leading National League shortstops in assists and putouts. His trademark play, ranging to his right to spear a grounder and whip it to first while reversing in the air, was named "The Down Pat" by teammate Ferguson Jenkins. After Chicago traded him to St. Louis in 1975, he finished his career with the Chicago White Sox, where in 1979 he became the last player-manager in American League history. He later coached baseball at Ole Miss, his alma mater.
Sources: Wikipedia · SABR BioProject · Baseball-Reference
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 376 | 19 | 97 | 200 | 41 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| SGC | 9 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Data as of 2026-10-19. Half grades fold down for both graders (8.5→8); PSA qualified slabs (OC, ST, PD, MC and the like) are not counted.
Find this card
Search T206 Cards Shop 1972 Topps cards Live auctions Buy It Now on eBay Sold prices
As an eBay Partner Network affiliate, T206Cards.com may earn from qualifying purchases.
Related cards
Team card: #192 Chicago Cubs
More Chicago Cubs cards:
- #18 Juan Pizarro
- #29 Bill Bonham
- #45 Glenn Beckert
- #46 Glenn Beckert In Action
- #61 Cubs 1972 Rookie Stars
- #85 1971 N.L. Batting Leaders
- #93 1971 N.L. Pitching Leaders
- #95 1971 N.L. Strikeout Leaders
- #117 Cleo James
- #208 Milt Pappas
- #258 Randy Hundley
- #271 Ken Rudolph
- #303 Joe Pepitone
- #304 Joe Pepitone In Action
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1972 Topps #145 card?
It is card #145 of the 787-card 1972 Topps Baseball set, picturing Don Kessinger of the Chicago Cubs.
How many cards are in the 1972 Topps Baseball set?
787 cards, tracked as 794 collectible states. Numbers run from 1 to 787 with none skipped, in six print series (#1-132, #133-263, #264-394, #395-525, #526-656 and #657-787, the high numbers); 7 cards carry catalogued print variations that the master set counts separately - four Chicago Cubs cards with yellow or green under the "C" and "S" of the team name, the #251 and #478 checklists with smaller or larger print on the front, and the #604 checklist with its copyright line aligned right or left.
Sources: Trading Card Database, PSA CardFacts, BaseballCardPedia, Cardboard Connection, Baseball Almanac, Baseball-Reference, the SABR BioProject and the National Baseball Hall of Fame, PSA & SGC population reports. Card data compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-10-25.