Tuesday, July 17, 2012

The Gems of Junk Wax, Pt. 40: 1993 Topps #200 Kirby Puckett


As I've mentioned before, I'm a big fan of "odd" shots on baseball cards.

It's safe to say that this card easily fits into that category, although it probably raises more question than it answers.

How many ounces does a bat like that weigh? Whose bat is it? Did Topps bring that thing to the photo shoot and say, "Here, Mr. Puckett, we're going to get a shot of you next to this giant bat and put it on your baseball card"?

It's not the first time a rather large piece of baseball equipment has found its way onto cardboard. Russell Branyan has been seen with the bat. And Alex Gonzalez is wearing one of those big goofy gloves on one of the funniest cards I've ever seen.

Most players that have had the honor of having a card number ending in "00" in a Topps set are granted a more serious photo, perhaps a riveting in-action shot.

Not Kirby Puckett, though. Topps decided to bring a bit of humor to the famed "00" club with their '93 Topps set.

I'm glad they did. When's the last time we've seen a Jeter or Pujols card with anything close to a "humorous" photo?

Never, as far as I can tell.

This card is a nice change of pace from what we're used to as collectors.

For that, Topps, I thank you.

2 comments:

gcrl said...

Mickey hatcher and roger mcdowell are the dodgers who have had some goofy cards. Hatchet has one with a giant glove as well as one where he has a "hot foot" on the back.

deal said...

The shot is from an SI cover. Just found this out recently:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/cover/featured/9323/index.htm