Airbrushed Fridays: 1978 Topps #88

Sometimes I have to remind myself that, in part, I write about actual human beings and not just little toys that I bought at the toy store. I mean, sure, they are toys in a way and they're more or less aimed at children, but there's still a human element behind it. Once such reminder came in a recent comment made to an Airbrushed Fridays post from several months back. Fortunately, I think I do an adequate job of not crossing the line and going into libelous territories or say something that someone who might have a publicist who might stumble across my blog through some far more popular website might eventually get a whiff of and call me on it. Hopefully.

Mike Phillips was a utility infielder and all-around good guy (right?) who logged time with 5 NL teams over 11 Major League seasons. Phillips even hit for the cycle while playing for the Mets in 1976. He had a career OPS of just .605, but since OPS was only something that supernerds were thinking about in their basement in those days (instead of something that regular nerds think about while perusing "web logs" like today) we will just say that he was a ballplayer. He was around for 11 years, so he must have been doing something right.

Why did Topps airbrush Mike's photo? Phillips was dealt in June to the Cards for Joel Youngblood. Ah, Joel Youngblood. That Joel Youngblood.

What's wrong with this picture, anyway? Actually, as compared to many of the other airbrushed Cardinals cards of the '70s, this one certainly isn't the worst. The logo is obviously off by a bit, though, and also seems like it might be a tad off-center. To the right of the cap logo there are also some weird dark smudges.

Special thanks to Colbey of Cardboard Collections for providing today's card and to ex-Major Leaguers everywhere for hopefully having a sense of humor.

(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.)