A CLOSER LOOK AT THE 1980 NOLAN RYAN CARD & IMAGE...OR IS IT?

Recently the image of what looks to be the one used on that iconic 1980 Topps Nolan Ryan card showed up online, and I wanted to take a closer look at it since it is a classic!

Take a look:

Now, right off the bat it does look like it is the same image, but when you look closer you can see it's not the exact same one.

For example, look at the glove: on the card his glove is "touching" the "0" on his jersey, while on the photo it is not, it is more on the "3".

The question though is: is it the same game, same pitch?

I know Topps went to great lengths in the late-70's and early-80's to airbrush was seemed to be inconsequential things in the background.

Did they do the same here with the first baseman, who is clearly visible on the untouched photo?

I'm almost positive this is the same game. But it could be from another at-bat, innings, etc.

When you compare some of the blurry shapes from the stands in the background, they line-up, so I'm sure we're looking at the same game.

But why the odd, almost random airbrushing?

Regardless, an amazing find here!

By the time the card came out, as we all know, Ryan was plying his trade down in Houston after signing with the Astros as a Free Agent, making him the first million-dollar-a-year player in league history.

He was already entering his 14th season as a Big League pitcher, and incredibly was just about to go on to another 13 as a top-notch pitcher! These were not seasons of a guy who was "hanging on" (remember Steve Carlton?).

The man performed well up to his 46th birthday.

A once in a lifetime treat for fans to see someone like this come along.

324 wins, 61 shutouts, 5714 strikeouts and seven no-hitters.

Mind boggling.