Most collectors can pick out the "cameo" appearances of players on baseball cards. Cameos occur when a player appears on a card that's not his own. The early '70s was a great time for cameos, because the photographers shooting the action back then seemed to have no qualms about featuring multiple players in the frame. So what if the player is half obscured by a batter and an umpire? It was good enough for 1973 Topps!
But I think the king of cameos during the 1970s had to be Thurman Munson. Given that he had a career tragically cut short, he appeared on his fair share of baseball cards that did not feature his name. Reggie Jackson may have never seen a camera he didn't like, but Munson appeared to like the limelight, too, if you go by the cards. ...
Here is Munson flat out in the dirt, showing the ump the ball, apparently after tagging Vada Pinson. ...
... And here's Munson shaking his backstop for the camera as he waits for the throw to tag out a ducking Terry Crowley (I love this card). ...
... Even when he wasn't catching, Munson was finding his way into the shot. Here he's sliding past an unsuspecting Fran Healy to score another one for the Yanks.
Munson may have acted like he wanted to be left alone, the grouchy captain. But don't let that fool you. He was a publicity hound. The king of the cameos.
But I think the king of cameos during the 1970s had to be Thurman Munson. Given that he had a career tragically cut short, he appeared on his fair share of baseball cards that did not feature his name. Reggie Jackson may have never seen a camera he didn't like, but Munson appeared to like the limelight, too, if you go by the cards. ...
Here is Munson flat out in the dirt, showing the ump the ball, apparently after tagging Vada Pinson. ...
... And here's Munson shaking his backstop for the camera as he waits for the throw to tag out a ducking Terry Crowley (I love this card). ...
... Even when he wasn't catching, Munson was finding his way into the shot. Here he's sliding past an unsuspecting Fran Healy to score another one for the Yanks.Munson may have acted like he wanted to be left alone, the grouchy captain. But don't let that fool you. He was a publicity hound. The king of the cameos.
Comments
Good eye!