The 1962 Topps parade of men with goofy expressions and inept airbrushing is too vast for one post. Like Jim Kaat, you are probably thinking: “what the fu## is going on here?” Unperturbed, I plunge ahead with a look at more of the “curling bills” posted on the wood grain paneling.
Poor Elio Chacon was plucked off the defending NL champion roster by the Mets in the expansion draft. Topps crack airbrush specialist attempted to change his red sleeves to Mets blue by adding blue paint. This results in one green sleeve. The fact that the great Frank Robinson is in the background rendered the whole charade moot anyway.
Based on his wry smile, Roger Craig probably came up with the phrase “hum baby,” just as this shot was snapped.
The editors couldn’t decide whether Lee Walls had a “good side,” so they went with both left and right gazes.
Birdie Tebbetts appears to be saying: “Hold it, what happened to my uniform lettering?
Dick Gernert’s age was calculated in dog years. In his ten-year career to this point, Dick aged from 20 to 65. This happened to many players who toiled for the Red Sox in the ‘50s.
The oldest rookie in Major League history was Howie Koplitz. The only thing the 70-year old lost more of than teeth was games.
Harry Chiti is not amused as a fan loudly pronounces his name as “shitty” for the umpteenth time.
The second-year LA Angels needed their own “uni-browed” player to compete with the Dodgers beloved Wally Moon. Ken Hunt fit the bill.
In a case of complete shock, Minnie Minoso discovers that he is now in the NL with St. Louis.
Without comment, I leave you with Hal Woodeschick.
Howie Koplitz is my favorite. It looks like he’s saying, “Good gravy! I hope I don’t have to pitch against that Grover Cleveland Alexander.”
Topps 1981 is another great set for lousy headshots. Somebody (can’t recall who) once said that set featured a remarkable number of men who looked like hoboes.
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Elio “Greensleves” Chacon: Alas, my front office, you do me wrong to expose me to the expansion draft so discourteously.
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Want to make sure you know that Ken Hunt was Butch Patrick’s (Eddie Munster) stepdad and appears in the Herman baseball episode.
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Leo Durocher scouted multiple TV personalities. Jethro Bodine and Ellie May Clampet, Mr. Ed, Herman and even Donna Reed. Mr. Ed greeted him with a hardy, LEEEEEOOOOOO
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Poor Howie. He actually was 4-0 with the Tigers before he had the terrible misfortune to end up with the expansion Senators. Same thing happened to Minoso. That would frighten anybody.How the heck did the airbrush folks keep their jobs, or did somebody with a real job do it on the side?
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