Airbrushed Fridays: 1978 Topps #301

I just have a quick post this week as I have a few loose ends to wrap up before the week is out. This card comes courtesy of Night Owl Cards (and yes, I do want your 1985 Fleer extras.) I received a package from Night Owl a couple of days ago and will devote a full post to it at a later point.

Buddy Schultz was a relief pitcher who logged a total of 5 seasons in the majors. He made three starts as a spot starter, all in the 1977 season which proved to be his best by far. He was also one of a seemingly endless line of players who had the unfortunate distinction of wearing both a Cubs and a Cardinals uniform at one time. (I never thought it would happen to a great man like Jim Edmonds!)

Why did Topps airbrush Buddy's photo? No excuses this time, Topps! The Cardinals picked up Schultz from the Cubs organization before the 1977 season even started. He appeared in 40 games with the Cards that season, nearly a quarter of the team's season schedule. He did make 2 appearances with the AAA club (New Orleans? Really?) that season, but it wasn't like he was never around. He even likely was around for spring training, which is when Topps has obtained a lot of their baseball card photos and still does to this day.

What's wrong with this picture, anyway? Three words: Mangled cap logo. The '70s apparently were ripe with these. I should come up with a mangled cap logo set, or at least complete a page or two of them. The coloring of the cap itself also shifts seemlessly between red and pink blotches. It's no magic hat, but it's pretty hilarible.

(If you are interested in obtaining a card featured here - but not this one - please send me an e-mail. If you have a card you would like to nominate for Airbrushed Fridays, please get in touch as well. I will require that I am able to see the card in person, either on loan or as a donation, so that I can examine the card and experience it in all its cruddiness.)