Airbrushed Fridays: 2014 Topps Opening Day #7

Something something evil empire something.

Who is he? Jacoby Ellsbury stole a base once. America stole tacos. Thanks to this amazing fast food promotion during the 2007 World Series, the speedy former Oregon State outfielder Ellsbury made himself a household name. Somewhere, Morgan Spurlock was cringing.

How did he get here? As the Yankees tend to do, Ellsbury became the latest player to play for both sides of the Boston/NY rivalry when he signed this past offseason. He has signed up with evil for the next seven years, but already things have apparently taken a sour turn.

Repeat offender? No

Other versions of this card: 2014 Topps Opening Day (Variation) #7

Airbrushed Score: 7

Comments: Zooming in to crop the photo doesn't improve the look when it's Photoshopped.

Airbrushed Fridays: 2014 Topps Opening Day #132

What a pain in the neck. Literally.

Who is he? Prince Fielder is the son of former All-Star and prolific home run hitting first baseman Cecil Fielder. Like his father, Prince is also an All-Star first baseman and prolific home run hitter. Cecil couldn't find his big break with the team that raised him, Toronto, and joined up with the Tigers (after a season in Japan) to become a breakout star. Prince was a Brewer through and through until he left for a big payday by that same Tigers franchise.

How did he get here? The story takes a turn when Prince didn't quite put up the same kind of numbers he did in Milwaukee through his first two seasons in Detroit. The Tigers needed to make some changes to their offense if they wanted to continue to be successful and traded him for Ian Kinsler. It's rare that two well known players are swapped for each other without prospects being involved in the current game, but that's exactly what happened. The Rangers seem to have been snakebitten lately and the Fielder trade is another example of this. There was significant chatter yesterday that a neck injury may sideline Fielder for the rest of the season. Already at age 30, Fielder's career looks a bit more uncertain. Then again, he plays Major League Baseball and probably sleeps on a bed of money.

Repeat offender? No

Other versions of this card: 2014 Topps #550 (short printed variation card)

Airbrushed Score: 6

Comments: Okay, this is somewhat unrelated but strange. Prince's 2014 Topps Heritage card looks like this while the parallel versions look like this. I guess we know which cards are manufactured first!

Airbrushed Fridays: 2014 Topps Opening Day #120

We meet again, old friend.

Who is he? Shin-Soo Choo is an offensively talented outfielder than the Reds tried to stick in center field last season after acquiring him from Cleveland. He responded with his best year at the plate since 2010, but was immediately exposed as a horrible choice for his defensive position. He also, blah blah blah, probably saved some puppies or something.

How did he get here? The Reds were one of three (!) NL Central teams to make the playoffs last year, but they lost the play-in game to Pittsburgh and opted to not really do much of anything in the offseason, including keep Choo around. Texas signed him to a free agent deal and immediately stuck him back in the corner where he belongs.

Repeat offender? Yes

Other versions of this card: 2014 Topps #106 (completely different photo), Pre-Photoshopped Photo

Airbrushed Score: 5

Comments: Let's check out the LeBron-O-Meter in 2014, just because I did it last time for some reason.

Airbrushed Fridays: 2014 Topps Opening Day #212

Opening Day has come and gone, and all we're left with is the cards.

Who is he? Mark Trumbo has quietly become one of the game's premiere sluggers. He hit his 100th career HR this past Sunday.

How did he get here? After signing Josh Hamilton to a fat contract as a free agent a little over a year ago on the heels of the big Albert Pujols contract, the Angels suddenly had little room for one of the most productive bats in their lineup. Trumbo managed to stick around for another year due in part to injuries and inconsistencies, but they finally dealt him this past offseason in a three team trade that brought back Tyler Skaggs and Hector Santiago.

Repeat offender? No

Other versions of this card: 2014 Topps #43 (completely different photo), Pre-Photoshopped Photo

Airbrushed Score: 4

Comments: This is actually a pretty solid Photoshop job as I think most people wouldn't realize the photo wasn't completely authentic if they didn't have the knowledge that these things were produced before his first season in Arizona started.