Airbrushed Fridays: 1974 Topps Traded #319T

Two updates here on a Christmas Eve before the Eve. First off, for those of you who weren't on the email, check out this cool thing that is going on at Crackin Wax. It all ends up going for charity, and I've always considered myself a charitable guy. Secondly, in looking at some early results for the Bowl Pick 'Em Contest, The Lost Collector has jumped out in front of the pack. He leads both the group standings and the total possible points. It's that latter point that is the most crucial, especially if all your heavily weighted games are still to come.

Randy Hundley was a former All-Star and Gold Glove winning catcher who logged 14 seasons in the Majors, spending most of his time with the Chicago Cubs. And if you're my age, when you think of catching Hundleys, Randy's son Todd comes to mind. Todd Hundley spent 15 seasons in the bigs himself.

Why did Topps airbrush Randy's photo? Hundley was dealt to the Twins by Chicago in the offseason for one George Mitterwald. After a season with the Padres, Hundley would eventually return to the Cubs to finish out his career.

What's wrong with this picture, anyway? Well, it's a '70s Topps Traded card. Do you have to ask? I've seen worse, of course, but Hundley's cap has that dark/blotchy/glassy look that is evident on a lot of doctored card photos in this era. Of course, that TRADED banner conveniently blocks out a good portion of the photo that might also have needed some dressing up.

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.