Airbrushed Fridays: 1978 Topps #501

Big thanks to GCRL for today's selection.

Who is he? The venerable Dave Roberts is back for another feature here at Cards on Cards. Roberts had a solid 11 year career as a big league starter, Roberts pitched for 8 different teams, and is notable for being one of the best Jewish pitchers of all-time. (Sandy Koufax not withstanding.)

How did he get here? After dealing with injuries in Detroit, the Cubs purchased Dave's contract for the stretch run in 1978. The Cubs were an unimpressive 79-83 in 1978. Roberts hit well with Chicago, but considering his primary job was to throw the ball to other hitters, it's tough to say how much he impacted that franchise.

Repeat offender? Yes and yes.

Other versions of this card: None

Airbrushed Score: 8

Comments: Not terribly convincing.

Airbrushed Fridays: 1972 Topps #360

It's come down to this. In just a half hour from now, the Cardinals will square off against the Nationals for a series-deciding Game 5, with the winner moving on to the NLCS. This is the final game of all of the Divisional Series games, and it pits a nearly untouchable pitcher (Gio Gonzalez) against a guy with loads of playoff experience (Adam Wainwright). My heart is with the Cardinals, but this is nervous making time. Let's look at a goofy baseball card for a temporary diversion.

Who is this week's victim, and why do we care? Hey, it's our good friend Dave Roberts. We recently spoke of him in March.

"Dave Roberts was a left-handed starting pitcher who famously pitched for 11 teams in his 13 year career. Despite this card's suggestion, he did not play for the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals. He passed away in 2009, a victim of lung cancer."

Why does this card exist? Roberts was shipped over from San Diego to Houston prior to the 1972 season in exchange for Bill Greif, Mark Schaeffer and Derrel Thomas. Those are three not-so-noteworthy players who have terrible spellings for names. As much as this set shouts color, I guess the airbrushers decided that the Houston hat had to be as festive as the card design itself.

Airbrushed Fridays is a weekly feature as the name seems to imply. If you know of a card with an altered photograph that you'd like to see featured, please contact me. You probably won't win anything other than a hyperlink and a coupon for 2 free Jack in the Box tacos, but you never know!

Airbrushed Fridays: 1976 Topps Traded #649T

Official baseball games are less than a week away, with the start of an oddly scheduled opening series in Japan between the Mariners and the A's, while everyone else is still in spring training. The Cardinals then open their title defense against the newly minted and hideously attired Miami Marlins a week later... while everyone else is still in spring training. And then, I suppose, there's Opening Day?

Dave Roberts was a left-handed starting pitcher who famously pitched for 11 teams in his 13 year career. Despite this card's suggestion, he did not play for the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals. He passed away in 2009, a victim of lung cancer.

Why did Topps airbrush Dave's photo? It was hard to capture Roberts sitting around any one franchise for too long, as evidenced by how many times he changed uniforms over the course of his career. In this case, he was shipped by the Astros to Detroit as part of a 7-player swap, including such luminaries as Gene Pentz and Mark Lemongello (actual name.)

What's wrong with this picture, anyway? Dave is a wistful man without a team to identify with. And he has a poorly airbrushed cap.

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.