When Topps printed this popular card, Mickey Mantle had only hit 121 home runs. He finished with 536 in his career, which was shortened by injuries. If not for the Achilles rupture in ‘51 and endless back issues, he likely would have been the all-time leader. Regardless, the reverse of the card offers fans wonderful insight into the accolades Mantle had already amassed at the time from his grand slam in the World Series to his reputation as the fastest runner in the game. Further, he had a 9.5 WAR in '55. For context, Willie Mays finished second with a 9.1 the same year. Very few players have a better single-season WAR—the list includes names like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Ty Cobb. His impact on his team’s wins offers insight into one of the many reasons why Mantle's cards are universally beloved. This PSA 8 example of his ‘56 Topps card should cause a bidding “WAR” in this month’s Vintage Premier Auction.
You can learn more about this card in PWCC's A Guide to Mickey Mantle's Baseball Cards.
https://www.pwccmarketplace.com/definitive-guides/a-guide-to-mickey-mantles-baseball-cards
