Imagine being a nine-year veteran of the Major Leagues, you're
putting together a decent career, then, after topping out at 18 home
runs for your high mark, you EXPLODE for 43 dingers at the age of 30,
setting the mark for your position in baseball history.
You'd think you're in store for a nice baseball card the following year (if you cared for such things, of which I DO).
Well take a look at Davey Johnson's 1974 card and see what the fine
people at Topps thought would be a great photo to commemorate such an
offensive eruption:
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| Notice the ball behind Johnson's hip... |
Ha!
Seriously!? The guy comes out of nowhere to bash 40+ homers, sets
the record for second basemen, and you use a photo of him whiffing at a
pitch, with the ball behind him after a mighty swing?
I can't even tell if this was a full-on "swing-and-a-miss" or a foul-tip.
Regardless, Topps has a cold heart my friends.
You have to wonder if they were having a bit of fun at Johnson's expense here.
It's like the "Agony of Defeat" in baseball card form!
Reminds me of the 1973 Dick Green card, which shows him muffing a ball in the field.
Hilarious! But not for the players I'm sure…