Sinkhole in the Bronx? California Tumbles into the Sea??
 

Images like these have always seemed weird - there are also a number of others dotting Topps' sets.

Were the players posed at an angle, leaning one was or the other? Why did Topps feel it necessary to tilt the image so?

That's a famous picture of Wayne Causey batting against Wilt Chamberlain, who threw full overhand.

If I’m not mistaken, the catcher was Eddie Gaedel, and the home plate umpire rotated amongst the Three Blind Mice.