Airbrushed Fridays: 2011 Topps #569

I think I might actually have a baseball hangover. People I know that I actually didn't know cared one inkling about baseball still cannot stop talking about Wednesday night. I've already endured some Phillies smack talk. What is going on? People don't like baseball. All of a sudden now, they do? Maybe this is just a sign that the Red Sox should have never, ever had any ounce of success. Now that they have been defeated, mocked and ridiculed, the timid fans are coming out of the woodwork.

Cameron Maybin was cursed with the five-tool label at a very early age. The next time you hear the words "five tool" associated with any young prospect is the time that you should stay far away from said prospect, for he is moments away from accidentally setting himself on fire and disappointing scouts and baseball nerds for years to come.

Why did Topps airbrush Cameron's photo? Maybin, an outfielder with "no doubt five-tool talent", was part of a big trade in 2007 that saw Miguel Cabrera land in Detroit. By the end of last year, when those five tools still hadn't translated to actual big league success, Florida pawned him off on San Diego for scraps.

What's wrong with this picture, anyway? It's Photoshopped! Horribly Photoshopped! His strange uniform would even look out of place on a modern Heritage card. I don't like it.

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.