Here's a really odd OPC to Topps "image variation" set for you all, the slight, and I mean really slight image change for Phil Niekro and his 1977 cards:
 |
| OPC version |
 |
| Topps version |
I
have no idea why the change between the two companies and their cards,
as you can see that all OPC did was slightly zoom in a touch, and place
the facsimile autograph a little higher on the card. Very strange.
Also seems to be a little brightness added to the OPC card as well.
As for Niekro, incredibly,
though getting a bit of a "late-start" in his career, the man would end
up putting in 24 years in the Majors, pitching his knuckler until the
age of 48 in 1987.
It is astonishing to think Niekro didn’t have a full season on Big League
duty until 1967 at the age of 28, yet still went on to pitch those 24
seasons, winning 318 games with a very nice 3.35 ERA along with 45
shutouts and 3342 strikeouts before he was done at the age of 48!
I always thought it amazing that at the age of 44 in 1983, he took home the last of his five Gold Gloves, ALL of which were garnered beginning his age 39 season in 1978.
I always thought it amazing that at the age of 44 in 1983, he took home the last of his five Gold Gloves, ALL of which were garnered beginning his age 39 season in 1978.
Just an amazing talent!
