1955 Bowman #16 Jim Piersall PSA 9

1955 Bowman #16 Jim Piersall PSA 9 - Piersall’s Personality Pops in Bowman’s Final Chapter

Known as much for his fiery personality and colorful presence as his defensive brilliance, Jim Piersall was one of the more unique characters in 1950s baseball. A gifted outfielder for the Boston Red Sox, Piersall brought gold-glove caliber defense, hustle, and emotion to every game he played. By 1955, he had fully emerged as a steady contributor, batting .282 that season while dazzling fans and frustrating opponents with his fearless play and flair. His story, later made famous by the film Fear Strikes Out, revealed both the challenges he faced and the intensity with which he approached the game.

The 1955 Bowman #16 card captures Piersall in the company’s iconic final release—a set designed to resemble vintage wood-framed television screens, nodding to baseball’s growing popularity in American living rooms. The card’s design is nostalgic, bold, and deeply tied to its time. Graded PSA 9, this high-grade example is a standout—offering sharp edges, clean woodgrain borders, bright registration, and virtually flawless surface gloss. Given the fragility of the ’55 Bowman set and its frequent centering and chipping issues, examples in this condition are exceedingly scarce.