1974 Topps Aurelio Rodriguez

[Troy Kirk]

The 1974 Topps Aurelio Rodriguez card has a cartoon on the back where the real message was lost in translation. Here is a picture of the artwork that shows a clear 8 on the eight-ball going into Aurelio's glove. The 8 is lost completely on the cards.

[swarmee]

Nice.
And nice recurring print defect.

1974 Topps - [Base] #72 - Aurelio Rodriguez
Courtesy of COMC.com

Looks like the single print defect is also recurring.

1974 Topps - [Base] #72 - Aurelio Rodriguez
Courtesy of COMC.com

[ALBB]

interesting, I bet most people missed that, kids didn't pay attention to it..but it does make sense..if the ball has an 8 on it

[steve B]

There are a couple other differences between the card and the art.

I wonder if they changed it in pre- production or after? I can see parents in some places being bothered by the pool ball.

[GoldenAge50s]

Never had a problem understanding the cartoon---ball going to the glove is black, an 8-ball is black! Doesn't need a # to clearly understand what the cartoon meant.

[clydepepper]

The true story behind the Eight-Ball missing on the back of Rodriguez's card is fascinating:

It seems Aurelio became quite the favorite among MLB / Topps- licensed photographers after sending the Angels' batboy to sit in for him five years before...a trick later repeated by Gary Pettis.

You would think such a deed would get him in trouble with all involved...instead it started his 'modest' legend. And his 'Bat-Boy' card became quite a find for both kids and adult collectors.

Many game attending fans were confused when the Bat-Boy, one Francisco Don, offered to sign the card even though the card had Rodriguez's name, not this 'wannabe'.

Well, I told you that story to help you appreciate why the Eight-Ball was deliberately not visible after the printing was done:

Mr. Rodriguez, a firm believer in all sorts of superstitions, was mortified upon seeing the card's proof showing the cartoon-in-question, positioning him 'behind the eight-ball'. and insisted that it be covered up.

Now, if just any Major Leaguer had asked for such a change, they would probably been shown the door. But, because Aurelio had such status at the time, the problem was resolved to his satisfaction.


Pretty Amazing, Huh?



It took a long time for this old guy to type out all of the details of this incredible story...and just as long to make it up.

[MarcosCards]

As a long-time Detroit Tiger fan, that’s a fascinating story regarding the cartoon, the 8 ball, and his superstitions - thank you. You meant to type “mortified” not “modified” — right?

[1952boyntoncollector]

I have this card in a PSA 4...i going to guess it was not altered or restored...

[clydepepper]

Well, that was fun, but no one seemed to appreciate it, much less get it.



'I had fun and no one got hurt'
.

[swarmee]

I don't get the sense of humor of a lot of the posters on Net54, so don't feel left out.