1981 Topps Ellis Valentine - what is going on with his batting helmet?
 

I am not an expert in baseball batting helmet history, but it's been a long time since I came across a card where I didn't even know what was going on. Is this some kind of experimental mouth guard? I don't recall ever seeing this before. Just looks like something for which there must be an interesting piece of history of anecdote behind.

Here's a good writeup:

http://1982topps.blogspot.com/2014/0...valentine.html

From that article:

"On May 30, 1980, on a Friday night in Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Valentine came to bat in the top of the sixth inning against reliever Roy Thomas. Thomas had come on in relief of Jim Kaat, who had been hammered by the Expos to the tune of 6 runs in 4 innings. With two outs and no one on base, a fastball rode up and in on Valentine and broke his cheekbone in six places.

When he came back, he needed to protect his jaw and cheek from further damage. He began wearing part of a football facemask to protect himself. His 1981 Topps card is proof."

Great article, and an interesting post-baseball life. Thanks for this

Don't know the back-story, but Gary Roenicke also wore one for a time...

Loved those "Fantasy Island" clips. :)

In April of that season Roenicke was hit in the face by Lerrin LaGrow of the WhiteSox & the football Colts equipment manager hooked him up with a partial facemask as protection.