Airbrushed Fridays: 1988 Topps #68

Could it possibly be that I am actually running out of '80s subjects for Airbrushed Fridays? Unless I happen to find another one in the next couple of weeks, this may be it for awhile. If you know of any '80s duds that I haven't already featured here, please feel free to drop me a line.

Dave Dravecky was a hard-luck starting pitcher who spent most of his career with San Diego. He's a cancer survivor, having developed a tumor in his pitching arm. Gruesomely, he broke the arm that had the tumor in it while pitching, and a second time while celebrating the 1989 NL pennant after joining the Giants. His arm would eventually need to be amputated. It's a rough story to say the least, but he soldiered on and became a motivational speaker after his baseball career ended.

Why did Topps airbrush Dave's photo? Topps tells you all about it on the back of the card with their "This Way to the Clubhouse" box. Still, I would have thought that three months and 18 starts would have been plenty of time to catch Dravecky in Giants gear.

What's wrong with this picture, anyway? Dave has a cartoon shirt and a giant cartoon hat. Even the background looks funky.

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.