Fred Lynn played for the Orioles from 1985 through 1988, a four-year run near the end of his accomplished career. But someone at Fleer didn't get the memo. A few months back, I was trading some cards with Ed and I came across Carlton Fisk's 1992 Fleer card. I glanced at the photo and noticed that "Pudge" and the Oriole batter were both wearing their team's old uniforms. I figured it was a Turn Back the Clock Day, but then I took a closer look at the batter:
If you click on the image to enlarge it, you should be able to spot the #19 on the bill of the dejected Oriole's helmet. No Baltimore hitter wore #19 in 1990 or 1991 (pitcher Ben McDonald was in number nineteen). Larry Sheets donned #19 in 1989, but that's pretty clearly not him. That brings us back to Fred Lynn. The White Sox didn't wear these uniforms until 1987, so the picture was taken in either 1987 or 1988. It's a great photo, with Fisk decked out in the tools of ignorance and intensely shouting orders to his pitcher, while Fred looks like he's headed back to the dugout after coming up short. But the real question is why Fleer chose a four-to-five-year-old image for a veteran star's baseball card? I hope that it had something to do with a bet between two bored card designers.
Fred Lynn played for the Orioles from 1985 through 1988, a four-year run near the end of his accomplished career. But someone at Fleer didn't get the memo. A few months back, I was trading some cards with Ed and I came across Carlton Fisk's 1992 Fleer card. I glanced at the photo and noticed that "Pudge" and the Oriole batter were both wearing their team's old uniforms. I figured it was a Turn Back the Clock Day, but then I took a closer look at the batter:
If you click on the image to enlarge it, you should be able to spot the #19 on the bill of the dejected Oriole's helmet. No Baltimore hitter wore #19 in 1990 or 1991 (pitcher Ben McDonald was in number nineteen). Larry Sheets donned #19 in 1989, but that's pretty clearly not him. That brings us back to Fred Lynn. The White Sox didn't wear these uniforms until 1987, so the picture was taken in either 1987 or 1988. It's a great photo, with Fisk decked out in the tools of ignorance and intensely shouting orders to his pitcher, while Fred looks like he's headed back to the dugout after coming up short. But the real question is why Fleer chose a four-to-five-year-old image for a veteran star's baseball card? I hope that it had something to do with a bet between two bored card designers.
Excellent job!
ReplyDeleteWell done, Kevin! It would be interesting to start a collection of "Orioles players on other players cards" like this card, but it would be terribly difficult - you certainly couldn't find any checklists for that set.
ReplyDeleteThanks guys! Tim: that would be quite an undertaking. If I ever get really bored, maybe I'll at least sort the non-Orioles cards that feature O's players in my collection. For instance, Scott Bradley's 1991 or 1992 Stadium Club card has a great photo of Brady Anderson sliding into Scott at home plate.
ReplyDeletetopps used to use the same boring head shots year after year. i recall Hal Reniff's 1961, 1962 and then like 67 or 68 card all being the same shot. i don't mind a little back dating on the photo if it is the right player in a good pose. that one of fisk captures him well...
ReplyDeleteIt had to be a day game, based on the sunlight, and a home game for the O's. I believe this game took place on Sunday, May 3rd, 1987. The White Sox played in Baltimore again in July, but they were weekday games, and retrosheet says they were night games. The only day game between the teams in Baltimore in '88, Fisk didn't play. I believe this play took place in the 7th inning, and Fred Lynn flied out to left.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL198705030.shtml
Fisk moved to 1st the next inning.