Baseball cards have been capturing photos and stats of players for over a century. While most cards strive to portray their subjects in a serious, sportsmanlike light, some have ended up immortalizing hilarious moments and mishaps. Here are some of the funniest baseball cards from history, with backstories that are just as entertaining as the images themselves.
Dave Bergman (1990 Score) – This card manages to depict three things going wrong at once for Brewers first baseman Dave Bergman. He’s laid out on the ground chasing a pop foul, his hat has flown off, and his sunglasses are halfway down his nose. It may have been an embarrassing moment on the field, but Bergman gained comedy gold in card form decades later.
Albert Hall (1973 Topps) – The expression on Albert Hall’s face in this ’73 Topps issue is priceless. With his eyes wide and mouth agape, it looks like he’s either seen a ghost or is acting in a silent movie. Some speculate he was mid-sneeze when the photo was snapped. Regardless, his stunned stare made him an instant favorite among baseball card collectors.
Dwight Gooden (1984 Topps Traded) – In what could be the most ill-timed photo of all time, Doc Gooden is caught with an enormous yawn on full display. The unflattering image was made even better by the fact that Gooden was coming off a league-leading strikeout season at age 19. Even a future Hall of Famer isn’t exempted from embarrassing card moments.
Rod Beck (1995 Upper Deck Spectrum) – The Giants reliever looks perfectly normal at first glance. But take a closer look and you’ll notice the large yellow stain covering the entire front of his jersey. While the card doesn’t provide context, it’s safe to assume Beck experienced either a drink spill or worse on the mound. At least he’ll forever be memorialized in card form as “the Stain Man.”
Roberto Alomar (2002 Upper Deck Mystique) – In a series known for its artsy photography, this was definitely one of the stranger shots. Appearing to be hit by an invisible force, Alomar is caught mid-fall with his legs splayed and hat askew. Some feel he looks like he’s been body slammed by an unseen opponent. A truly bizarre moment to end up on a coveted baseball card.
Jose Canseco (1988 Donruss) – Canseco’s slumping posture, thousand-yard stare, and disheveled look gave this card a name all its own – the “Hung Over Jose” issue. Whether he actually had a late night or was just exhausted, the slugger came across as a hot mess. The card took on legendary status and provided plenty of laughs.
Nails Infielders (1987 Fleer Action All-Stars) – This is arguably the funniest multi-player card ever made. It features four infielders – shortstop Billy Beane, third baseman Carney Lansford, second baseman Tommy Herr, and first baseman/DH Dave Kingman – with nails hammered through their caps. Their wincing, pained expressions make it looks as painful as it sounds. Amazingly, the players signed off on the comic concept.
Jose Lind (1988 Topps Traded) – Lind stares pensively off-camera while holding on for dear life as the drawstrings of his sweatpants threaten to fully activate the “Pantsing” mechanic. His panic-stricken thousand-yard stare perfectly encapsulates the moment and is amusingly immortalized forever on cardboard. Was this the darkest moment of Lind’s career? Only he knows.
Bo Jackson (1991 Upper Deck) – In what looks like a scene from a Buster Keaton film, Jackson is captured leaping acrobatically with his bat above his head while a flock of seagulls swarm around him. It’s an absurdly funny juxtaposition that makes for one of the wackiest individual baseball cards ever produced.
Dave Schmidt (1974 Topps) – Schmidt appears perfectly normal at first glance. That is, until you notice that his jersey number (29) seems to be fading into his neck like a crude Photoshop mistake. It’s unclear if this was an actual printing error or a playful joke snuck into the photo. Either way, Schmidt’s Poltergeist number makes for a welcome laugh.
Carlton Fisk (1993 Fleer Ultra Collector’s Choice) – Caught in a mid-swing follow through, the Hall of Fame catcher looks like he’s doing an exaggerated impression of a windmill. His tomahawk chop motion and bulging eyes will never fail to elicit chuckles. It’s one of the most wildly funny action shots in card history.
So in summary – while most want to appear heroic on cardboard, these funnymen added levity and laughs with their hilarious photo moments. Even the greatest players aren’t immune to slapstick captures, proving baseball cards are as much about comedy as stats.
