is Pete Rose giving the finger
 

I don't know if this is old news, but I was going through some old sets and noticed that the Fleer 1981 set, card #645 titled "Triple Threat" and showing Schmidt, Rose and Bowa appears to show Rose with his middle finger outside the glove. As I said, was everyone aware of this except me - or worse, did I know and simply forgot (more and more likely every day).

Nope, index. Common with 1B players.

This is a middle finger:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...C%20Martin.jpg

That's what I thought initially and I guess it's possible his hand is covering his little finger. But I couldn't see any view of a white glove under his hand. But I agree, Billy is certainly having fun with the photographer.

Kills me to say this because I have very hard feelings against Rose, but I will give him credit where it's due - I don't think he would have done something like that, certainly not intentionally. Billy Martin? No doubt.

I remember Steve Carlton gave the finger in the 1976 team photo that was an insert in the Sunday paper.

Edit: Found it

That's an index finger. many players keep their index finger outside the glove.

I made the same mistake looking at this Billy Ripken card.

I was thinking this guy is just the card obscenity king.

Best actual example I know of:

Frank Thomas wins

Frank Thomas on his 1991 Upper Deck card also looks a bit like he is giving the finger to someone.

Is rose wearing a sweater? Man alive, that is thick!

Haha! :D

Loved that '81 Fleer when it came out. I was 15 and in my last bit of card collecting before I dropped it for cars and girls. Neither worked out well so I started collecting again several years later. :rolleyes: