Time
to take a closer look at another airbrushed photo Topps used for their
1976 traded set, the Ken Brett image showing him as a member of the New
York Yankees, albeit a mere two-game stop in his 14-year Major League
career:
Seems this original image was a dream for the re-toucher since they didn't have to deal with a cap. logos, etc. Just some fake pinstripes, which were well done, and voila!
As for Brett, he came to the Bronx as a part of the HUGE deal that included Dock Ellis and Willie Randolph, for pitcher Doc Medich.
Needless to say the Yanks made out like bandits on this one, as Ellis
had a great season for the Bronx Bombers, going 17-8 with a 3.19 earned
run average, while Randolph...well, no need to see what was the KEY
acquisition here!
As for Brett? He made it to May of 1976 before getting traded to the
Chicago White Sox along with Rich Coggins for slugging first baseman
Carlos Lee.
He’d end up pitching for 14 years, retiring after the 1981 season after
getting to play with younger brother George in 1980 and 1981.
On a personal note: I always wanted to know where in Brooklyn the Bretts
were originally from, seeing that Ken was born there before they moved
out West.
I knew a couple of Brett families in Bay Ridge, which was the next
neighborhood over from me, though both told me they weren’t related to
the baseball family.
Nevertheless, it always stuck with me.