1974 Topps Aurelio Rodriguez
 

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.

http://www.moviecard.com/aapics/1974...rodriguezF.jpghttp://www.moviecard.com/aapics/1974...rodriguezB.jpghttp://www.moviecard.com/aapics/1974...riguez-art.jpg

Nice.
And nice recurring print defect.
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1974...&size=original
1974 Topps - [Base] #72 - Aurelio Rodriguez
Courtesy of COMC.com

Looks like the single print defect is also recurring.
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1974...&size=original
1974 Topps - [Base] #72 - Aurelio Rodriguez
Courtesy of COMC.com

74 t
 

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

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.

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.

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.

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?;)

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

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



'I had fun and no one got hurt'
.

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