Why would I share a miscut and well-done-but-incorrectly-airbrushed Ken Brett? By itself, it’s just another common, although at least a common of George Brett’s brother. Ken Brett pitched from 1967 – 1981 for the Red Sox, Brewers, Phillies, Pirates, Yankees, Angels, White Sox, Twins, Dodgers and Royals. (Phew!)
But what’s that at the bottom of the card? Haven’t I seen that border before?
Yep, Ken Brett comes on top of Hank Aaron on the original printing sheet. The Aaron is one of the key cards of this set, as you would imagine. Topps took a small gamble when they produced this card because Hank had 713 home runs entering the 1974 season, and Babe Ruth held the record with 714. Topps declared him the New All-Time Home Run King since it was pretty likely that Hammerin’ Hank would get the record early in the 1974 season, but had he been run over by a bus this would’ve been an EPIC FAIL (except that nobody said that in 1974).
From the oddly-shaped scoreboard behind Hank, you can tell he’s at Royals Stadium. The 1973 All-Star game was in Kansas City, and this photo looks like it might’ve been taken during the pre-game warmups.
By the way, there is an active blog devoted solely to the 1974 set… 1974 Topps Pennant Fever does a lot more research than I’m doing, and goes far more in depth into the set than I will. I meant to mention that at the beginning of the week, but I forgot. Sorry, 1974 Topps – Pennant Fever Guy.
