Friday, October 7, 2011

Airbrushed Fridays: 1976 Topps Traded #80T

Big game tonight! Super big game. The superist of big games, even. The Cards take on the Phillies in Philly to decide their NL Division Series to determine who will take on the Brewers or the Diamondbacks (hopefully the Diamondbacks, so there are some west coast friendly start times.) My prediction? At least one team will win, and at some point obscenities will be bandied about in a most uncouth manner.

Jim Kaat was a three-time All-Star left-handed pitcher who was an exceptional fielder, amassing 16 Gold Gloves in his career. He took home a World Series ring in 1982 with your St. Louis Cardinals and also has the distinction of playing for the opposing team in tonight's pivotal matchup. My own personal memories of Kaat are primarily as a broadcaster with NBC Sports in the '80s. He now does the occasional game for the MLB Network.

Why did Topps airbrush Jim's photo? Kaat, originally a Washington Senator who played with the Senators/Twins franchise for 16 seasons, was with the White Sox for a short spell before being traded to the Phillies as part of a four player deal at the end of the 1975 season.

What's wrong with this picture, anyway? The 'P' on Kitty Kaat's cap is large and kind of ridiculous, kind of like Ryan Howard's contract. Hiyoooo!

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.

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