Tuesday, December 9, 2014

"GIMME A DO-OVER"- PART XXXVI: 1975 #545 BILLY WILLIAMS

Here is a card I have always wanted to "Re-do", Topps' 1975 Billy Williams card (#545).
I've just always disliked the airbrushed portrait, which reminds me of some Hollywood mugshot to this very day.
Take a look at the "as-is" card put out by Topps back then:


And even though I could not find a really good usable image, I did find this rather unique shot of him at bat that I have never seen before, so I used it here.
Take a look:


Not the best photo to fill out the great 1975 template, but better than the airbrushed image Topps threw out there in my opinion.
Eventually I hope to find an even better image to "Re-Do my Re-Do"...
"Sweet Swingin' Billy from Whistler" was closing out his tremendous Hall of Fame career the following year, closing the books on an 18-year career (all but the last two as a Chicago Cub) with over 2700 hits, 400 home runs, 1400 runs scored and runs batted in, and a .290 batting average.
He was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1961, and finished in second place for M.V.P. in both 1970 and 1972 (thanks to Johnny Bench BOTH years!).
He had to wait a little while, but was finally elected to the Hall in 1987, joining former teammate Ernie Banks, and later joined by both Fergie Jenkins and Ron Santo.

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