1977 dave w roberts

not to be confused with dave (arthur) roberts, featured here just a short time ago, dave (wayne) roberts earned his spot on this blog with an even better variation - team, photo, and autograph placement.  here is dave (w) roberts' 1977 o-pee-chee card:

here's the topps front:

now the o-pee-chee back:

and the topps back:

the joke was on topps in 1977 as they rushed to get roberts, acquired by the blue jays from the padres shortly after the end of the 1976 season, into some semblance of blue jay gear.  o-pee-chee, on the other hand, was able to wait until roberts was returned to san diego via trade in february of 1977 and then use a real photograph with no need for airbrushing.

at any rate, roberts saw action in the big leagues in 1977 after not getting a promotion in 1976.  in fact, he played in 82 games for the pads and played catcher with a little bit of second, third and short mixed in.  roberts' versatility was on display at the end of april when he caught a complete game and then spent the entire game the next day at shortstop.

voici à vous, 1977 dave (w) roberts!