Show a Card that is 'Shocking' (whatever that means to you personally)...

[GasHouseGang]

I don't know if I find it shocking that someone would trim such iconic sports cards, or that PSA didn't notice.

[John1941]

You think Johnny Keane looked old? Here's Earl Weaver at 58:

[Exhibitman]

Weaver and Keane look like they've been married for decades; you know, just don't give a damn anymore about their appearances.

[Gr8Beldini]

Originally Posted by GasHouseGang

I don't know if I find it shocking that someone would trim such iconic sports cards, or that PSA didn't notice.

What would happen if the card owner sent it to PSA for either a re-grade or just to re-holder the card? Would PSA turn around and now say, "it's not the legit 6 we told you it was. Turns out it's trimmed." PSA authenticated the card and the card was subsequently purchased based on that authentication. Are they liable in any way to the current holder?

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Gr8Beldini

What would happen if the card owner sent it to PSA for either a re-grade or just to re-holder the card? Would PSA turn around and now say, "it's not the legit 6 we told you it was. Turns out it's trimmed." PSA authenticated the card and the card was subsequently purchased based on that authentication. Are they liable in any way to the current holder?

PSA thinks not, but it hasn't been court-tested.

[Snowman]

Originally Posted by GasHouseGang

I don't know if I find it shocking that someone would trim such iconic sports cards, or that PSA didn't notice.

Oof! That Mantle... ouch.

However, that Wilt is most likely not trimmed, in my opinion. I have 3 of these Wilts, and a full set of the 61 Fleer cards. I'm very familiar with this set and have graded a bunch of these. The variance in size from the factory is remarkable (at least 3/16", maybe even a full 1/4" variance - it's THAT bad). Also, a large percentage of these have that horribly awkward diamond tilt like this one has. The bottom edge has the tilt too, it's just obscured by the bottom bumper, but if you look closely, it's there.

[JollyElm]

For my money, this is just one of the most ghoulishly creepy looking pictures to ever appear on a baseball card. It gives me nightmares. He doesn't look human...

1976cobb.jpg

[Harliduck]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

For my money, this is just one of the most ghoulishly creepy looking pictures to ever appear on a baseball card. It gives me nightmares. He doesn't look human...

Attachment 513059

I remember getting a beat up version of that card as a kid...first thought...COOL a COBB...then staring at it...whoa...trade anyone??

[carlsonjok]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

For my money, this is just one of the most ghoulishly creepy looking pictures to ever appear on a baseball card. It gives me nightmares. He doesn't look human...

Attachment 513059

Brooks would like a word....

[mortimer brewster]

How about a card back? This was pretty sad for a child to read.

[sthoemke]

This card shocked me when I was a kid

[brob28]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

For my money, this is just one of the most ghoulishly creepy looking pictures to ever appear on a baseball card. It gives me nightmares. He doesn't look human...

Attachment 513059

Agreed as a kid, that card gave me the creeps. This '77 Sanguillen card was shocking (still is) when I pulled it from a wax pack. Must have been late on a Friday when this one got through QC.

[JollyElm]

Originally Posted by brob28

Agreed as a kid, that card gave me the creeps. This '77 Sanguillen card was shocking (still is) when I pulled it from a wax pack. Must have been late on a Friday when this one got through QC.

Instead of cowbell, the Topps guy was saying, "I got a fever...and the only prescription is more green!!!!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVsQLlk-T0s

[thetahat]

This wonderful card just begs so many questions …

[nolemmings]

That '66 Keane in the OP scared the heck out of me that year--my first year of collecting. Scared in that old can't look, can't look away sense. Talk about rode hard and put away wet.

[Gary Dunaier]

As a ballpark fan, the 1969 Topps Chris Cannizzaro was shocking because the photo was taken at the Polo Grounds, which as you all know was last used for MLB play in 1963.

[commishbob]

Reddy Kilowatt playing card fits the bill I think.

s-ls.jpg

[philliesfan]

Now that IS shocking!

[JollyElm]

This card has always freaked me out.

As a die-hard Mets fan and the son of a pair of Dem Bums fanatics, I was well aware that Gil Hodges died suddenly during spring training 1972, and this card (#465) might have actually been released after he died (talk about further creepiness, the 1972 O Pee Chee version has "DECEASED April 2, 1972" prominently displayed on the front of the card!!). It's bad enough that I was a young kid staring into the soul of a man who had JUST died, but the color balance of the card adds so much more ghoulishness to it. The blue of his eyes is amiss, so it gives them a haunting and eerie see-through quality, as if he's a ghost looking right through you. And further, assuming the pic was taken during the 1971 season, he was ONLY 47 years old, although he looks decades older.

However (if you can ignore all I just wrote, which I personally cannot), with the beautiful combination of red and blue (and white, Go USA!!!!!!), it really is a wonderful looking card 50+ years later...

1972hodges465.jpg

[Snowman]

Why don't you guys consider the 1956 Topps cards to have "Action shots"? Is it because they were hand-toned? Or because they also have profile pics on the cards? Something else?