Airbrushed Fridays: 1976 Topps #535

Playoffs! Why are you sitting in your stiff old desk chair when you could be relaxing in your comfy recliner, remote in hand, watching America's greatest sport while teams battle it out for the pennants? What's that you say? The Yankees and the Phillies are just going to win again? Ugh...

Dave Nelson was a former All-Star second baseman who spent the bulk of his career with Rangers franchise, moving to Texas when the team moved from Washington. He's now a Brewers broadcaster who has filled in for the ailing Bob Uecker, who sadly is back in the hospital in need of more heart surgery.

Why did Topps airbrush Dave's photo? Nelson was traded after the completion of the 1975 season to Kansas City, where he would spend his final two major league seasons. Even though there's no way they could have had a current photo available, you have to applaud Topps for at least trying to be current back in those days.

What's wrong with this picture, anyway? Short on time, and "magical" blue paint, the so-called artist bailed on the 'C' portion of the KC logo when he found out that he was getting paid by a piece rate instead of by the hour. I'm also starting to think that if heaven were to exist, it would look a lot like the background of an airbrushed baseball card from the '70s.

If you are interested in obtaining a card featured here, 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.

Oh, and... Go Yankees!