Airbrushed Fridays: 1976 Topps Traded #146T

Lousy rotten Braves have just taken the lead in the 7th on the Cardinals as I write this. Where's John Rocker to make fun of when you need him?

George "Doc" Medich was a right-handed starting pitcher who spent 11 seasons in the majors with 7 teams, primarily in the '70s. He earned the nickname Doc from... now, help me out here, please... was it because of his last name or was it that he literally became a licensed medical doctor by the end of his baseball career? Doc bowed out of the league following a lone World Series appearance for Milwaukee (against the Cards) where he allowed 6 runs in 2 innings. He also lost his medical license due to a drug addiction. (Man, this is not the happiest entry in this series, is it?)

Why did Topps airbrush George's photo? Like many things the Pirates would do later in their franchise history, Medich's trade was a rather one-sided affair that would prove to benefit another team. The Yankees picked up franchise staple-to-be Willie Randolph along with George Brett's brother and the Acid Man in a late December 1975 exchange.

What's wrong with this picture, anyway? The only visible portion of the top of Doc's cap is repainted a safety vest yellow with no consideration for a team logo. He should probably do something about that sweaty lock of hair that the cap isn't containing as well. Additionally, I think they left Doc's collar in Yankees navy blue.

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.