Vintage Fridays: Mark Belanger, 1973 Topps #253

This card pretty well epitomizes the 1973 Topps set: increased focus on action photography via action photos where the focus seems to be...nowhere at all. As near as I can tell, Mark Belanger isn't turning a double play against the Indians. If he were, that'd be the world's worst takeout slide attempt by the runner. Maybe the batted ball squirted through the infield and the Blade is trying to deke the mystery Triber by faking receiving a relay throw. Or maybe he's jumping back to the bag on a whirlaround pickoff attempt. Whatever it is, this is a compelling and thoroughly confusing photograph.