1956 Topps Willie Mays Card - Polo Grounds Painting

This 1956 Topps Willie Mays card has a surprise on the back - an original painting of the Polo Grounds. Artist Michael Koser always leaves a little bit of the original card visible through the painting, so you will notice "Willie Howard Mays" and "outfield New York Giants" in the sky. This item is 1 of 1. "When I was painting this, I couldn't help but think of the spectacular over the shoulder catch Mays made in the 1954 World Series!"

Indeed, Willie Mays may very well be the most exciting, complete player to ever play baseball! Mays was a 24X (yes, 24!) All-Star, World Series Champion (1954), 2X NL MVP, 12X Gold Glove winner, 4X NL home run leader, 4X NL stolen base leader, finishing his career with 660 home runs and 3,283 hits. "The Say Hey Kid" was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979.

“If somebody came up and hit .450, stole 100 bases and performed a miracle in the field every day, I’d still look you in the eye and say Willie was better.” – Leo Durocher

The NY Giants played at the Polo Grounds from 1891-1957.  Remarkably, there were 13 World Series played at the Polo Grounds! Some would argue the most famous moment is baseball history occurred at the Polo Grounds - "the Shot Heard Around the World" - Bobby Thomson's 3 run walk off home run off Brooklyn Dodger pitcher Ralph Branca to win the 1951 NL Pennant. "The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant!" 

Card is ungraded. Corner wear with some peeling, discoloration and fading.