Friday, July 9, 2010

Airbrushed Fridays: 1986 Topps #668

Congratulation to Chris Stufflestreet on winning the first ever Airbrushed Fridays Contest. Chris wins a memorabilia card of his choosing from 2010 Allen & Ginter, unless said card becomes ridiculously cost prohibitive. He also will receive a small pile of cards from his favorite team or other interest. (A suitable equivalent relic card may be chosen if none of the subjects from 2010 Allen & Ginter are appealing. Honestly, I have not really looked at the checklist myself.) Chris runs the blog Vintage Sportscards and had what was deemed the best comment by a panel of Erin. No one here can accuse me of playing favorites. Erin, on the other hand...

Cecilio Guante was right-handed relief pitcher who spent most of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He had pretty decent numbers, with a career ERA of 3.48 and more than a 2:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio, but for whatever reason his only claim to fame was that he was part of the Rick Rhoden for Doug Drabek trade after the 1986 season. Oh, and for some completely unknown reason, he apparently has a blog named after him.

Why did Topps airbrush Cecilio's photo? Someone... please... explain this one to me. Anyone? The man had spent his entire major league career with the Pirates up until the time the 1986 Topps set came out, spanning 149 appearances over 4 seasons. I know there wasn't much love (still isn't) for non-closing relievers, but this was the era of the 792-card set. I don't understand!

What's wrong with this picture, anyway? The cap is off. It looks overly tall and the 'P' blends in with the yellow lines. It's not supposed to. The jersey has the same issues that we've seen dozens of times on this blog. When you line everything up including the nondescript background with nothing in it but blue sky, this has all of the telltale signs. I just don't understand the "why" in this situation.

(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.)

5 comments :

  1. I know why! This was the end of the "We Are Family" era, when the drugs didn't work any more. Chuck Tanner still let anything go, and Guante wore just a jockstrap and stirrups during Spring Training in 1985.

    Oh, and since the Pirates were 57-104 no photographer ever went to any of their games, ever.

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  2. i think 宥妃宥妃 is pissed he didn't win the contest...

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  3. I get like 5-10 of those comments a week and I usually delete them. I left one of them in on the original contest post I think because I was planning on "humorously" working it into the contest results post, but then I forgot I guess.

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  4. Also, subtlety IS better than force.

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  5. A bucket of paint fell on his head on the way to the photo shoot. Ruined his hat. He needed it airbrushed on his head. Simple as that.

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Comments are highly encouraged, but then again, so is eating your fruits and vegetables.