I like the fact that Leaf is still a brand making baseball cards. I'm not too crazy about the corners that the company has to make to get around the licensing issue, but I give them props. Apparently, it's difficult not to show logos (just ask Upper Deck) because the logos are impenetrable to airbrushing and computer photo wizardry.As a company, Leaf keeps churning out interesting product every year. The product can be a little unorthodox at times, but that's part of the challenge. It's rewarding when a card can be done in a tasteful way without violating the rules.
Is that an on card autograph I see? I believe it is. These are wonderful to see, instead of just another sticker dump. Maybe someday Leaf will even acquire a new license and they can show nine MLB team logos on a card if they want. Wouldn't that be nice?
It may help them avoid unfortunate mistakes like this card. This is from the 2013 Leaf Sports Heroes set. It's an insert set called Team of Dreams. The whole concept revolves around the movie, "Field Of Dreams", where players would appear out of the cornfield and play some good old fashioned baseball. So Leaf hand picks a few select players, airbrushes out the logos (something Upper Deck couldn't get straight) and sticks them right in front of a backdrop featuring a cornfield. The concept is brilliant on many levels... except for this one instance.
The card reminds me of this dark day in the post-playing days of Carlton Fisk. It too involves a cornfield and probably the worst photo of Carlton Fisk ever.
It wasn't a banner day in the Hall of Famer's life. That day made me realize (not that I hadn't before), that everyone makes mistakes. Even those you grew up admiring. It doesn't make them any less of a person to admire. In fact, you can admire them a little bit more because they don't live on a pedestal and are subject to the same trials and tribulations that we do.
I'll admit, when that first happened, I was disappointed. If I was a kid, it probably would have devastated me. Possibly to the point where I couldn't watch him play. What can I say, even as a child, I had standards.
As an adult, I see it through different eyes. A set of eyes that doesn't condone it, but knows that humans are not infallible and begrudgingly accepts that. As long as people can learn from their mistakes and strive to move forward and past those mistakes, then I think we a re moving in the right direction.
Although, it still doesn't make up for the fact that I cringed the first time I laid my eyes on this card.
Maybe it's just me, but this card just doesn't seem right.
2 comments:
I think it's a little appropriate when you consider that the White Sox were once known as the Cornhuskers.
Nice catch!
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