On Display: 1956 Topps Al Kaline – PSA 10 GEM MINT (White Back)
Issued: 1956 by Topps Chewing Gum, Inc.
Card Number: #20
Population: 2 in PSA 10; None Higher
Career Highlights: 18x All-Star | 10x Gold Glove | 3,007 Hits | 1968 World Series Champion
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame: 1980
“I never saw anyone play right field better than Al Kaline.” — Sparky Anderson, Detroit Tigers manager
This 1956 Topps Al Kaline card, graded PSA 10 GEM MINT, is one of only two known examples in the world to achieve this flawless designation. Representing the absolute pinnacle of condition and preservation, this card captures a young Al Kaline in his early ascent toward baseball immortality.
In 1955, at just 20 years old, Kaline became the youngest batting champion in American League history, edging even Ty Cobb’s record by a single day. That season, he hit an astonishing .340, showcasing a level of skill and maturity rare even among veteran players. Over a 22-year career—spent entirely with the Detroit Tigers—Kaline would go on to record 3,007 hits, earn 18 All-Star selections, and win 10 Gold Gloves for his defensive brilliance in right field. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980.
The card itself is a masterpiece of mid-century baseball design. Issued as part of Topps’ iconic 1956 set, this White Back variation features both a crisp portrait and dynamic action shot of Kaline, preserved with immaculate clarity and color. Its razor-sharp corners, pristine surfaces, and perfect centering make it indistinguishable from how it might have appeared fresh out of a wax pack nearly seven decades ago. The absence of any printing or handling flaws elevates it to true museum quality.
Though often described as underrated, Al Kaline’s career speaks for itself: a model of consistency, class, and excellence. This PSA 10 GEM MINT card, among the finest vintage baseball cards in existence, serves as a timeless tribute to one of the game’s most complete and respected players.