Today on the blog we take a look at Phil garner, aka "Scrap Iron", and the image variation between his 1977 Topps and OPC cards, with some hilarious results:
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| OPC version |
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| Topps version |
After
coming up with the Oakland A's in 1973 and playing for them for four
years, Garner was part of a blockbuster trade that saw him go to the
Pittsburgh Pirates along with Tommy Helms and Chris Batton for Tony
Armas, Doug Bair, Dave Giusti, Rick Langford, Doc Medich and Mitchell
Page.
To say that the Oakland A's made out like BANDITS on this deal would be an understatement!
Anyway,
while Topps didn't catch the trade in time and used a nice shot of
Garner in action, OPC did and created this absolutely fantastic
airbrushed job in all it's mustard glory! Wow!
Nevertheless, Garner would go on to a very nice 16-year career as a player,
along with another eight as a manager during the 1990’s and 2000’s, even
guiding the Houston Astros to a National League Pennant in 2005 when
they eventually lost to the Chicago White Sox in the World Series.
As a player, he was a part of the 1979 World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates team, as well as a member of the 1973 and 1974 World Champ Oakland A’s, though not a cog or even a regular by any means.
By the time he retired as a player after the 1988 season, the three-time All-Star finished with a career .260 average, with 1594 hits over 6136 at-bats and 1860 games.
Not a bad Big League resume!
As a player, he was a part of the 1979 World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates team, as well as a member of the 1973 and 1974 World Champ Oakland A’s, though not a cog or even a regular by any means.
By the time he retired as a player after the 1988 season, the three-time All-Star finished with a career .260 average, with 1594 hits over 6136 at-bats and 1860 games.
