1977 jim hunter

jim 'catfish' hunter might take the cake for the most minute variation in the 1977 o-pee-chee set.  i contend that there is some slight (and i mean slight) north-south cropping differences between his opc and topps cards, and the angle of his facsimile autograph is not quite the same on each card.  here is hunter's 1977 o-pee-chee card:

here's the topps front:

now the o-pee-chee back:

and the topps back:

i find it pretty funny that the facsimile autograph only says 'catfish hunter', and that his baseball reference page also lists him by that name - with his nickname being 'jim'.  now that's when you know that your nickname is a keeper.

hunter was in his third year with the yankees in 1977, and he was able to make only 22 starts due to some injuries in april and again in late september.  he finished the season 9-9 with a 4.71 era, but did throw 8 complete games with a shutout.  he also was able to pitch against the dodgers in the world series (he missed the alcs against the royals), but was 0-1 in 2 appearances with an era over 10.

voici à vous, 1977 jim hunter!