I don't buy many new cards these days, but I wanted some Hall of Fame postcards for recent inductees, so I went shopping on the HoF website. Besides the postcards, all I purchased was the Reds 2020 Topps Reds team set. In the (short) set, there were cards of Reds I collect such as Joey Votto, Louis Castillo, and Geno Suarez, which were welcome additions to my Reds collection. I was disappointed it did not include a Frank Castellanos card, who signed as a free agent over the winter, and due to his 1-yr contract and the stupid COVID-19 situation, may not ever play a single game for the Reds. Nor did it include a card of Japanese free agent pickup Shogo Akiyama.
But there was this card of Nick Senzel:
It's a fine enough looking card (I like dirty jerseys and ripped pants), but the back of the card was quite a surprise!
It's Nicks' name, position, team, even the write-up is all Nick. The rest of it is Cavan Biggio of the Blue Jays. All the vita and statistics are Biggio's.
This isn't the first card of a Red that I've seen with incorrect information on the back. Besides my brother, does anyone remember Nick Esasky?
Exactly. That's Esasky's 1986 Topps card.
Here's the back:
That's all Vance Law.
Now errors happen. The printing process must be a huge operation. I've seen other card fronts with completely wrong card backs (like Esasky's), but Senzel's card is the first I've ever seen with part of the card back information belonging to the subject on the card front, and part of the information belonging to someone totally different.
This isn't where the weirdness ends...
Not only are both are named Nick, play(ed) for the Reds, and although the cards don't reflect it, both played third base and the outfield. But...
Did you know that they both also suffered from vertigo? Sadly, Esasky's struggle with vertigo ended his career. In his age 29 season with Boston, Esasky hit 30 home runs with 108 RBI's. Then he got vertigo, and he only played 9 more games.
Senzel was the 2nd overall pick in the 2016 draft, and he shows much promise. He hits with gap power, has played 3rd base and 2nd base in the minors to much acclaim, and now he's a bonafide major league center fielder.
Let's hope Senzel's career doesn't get derailed because of it like it did Esasky's.
Stay well,
CinciCuse Bill
Wrong back Nicks who both suffer from vertigo? Wow. What are the odds. Great post. As for vertigo, one of the teachers at my schools suffers from it. She says it's the worst feeling and everything she's doing comes to a complete halt. I feel bad for her and anyone else who suffers from it.
ReplyDeleteRight - crazy isn't it! Thanks for the comment, and best of luck to your co-worker.
ReplyDeleteExactlyEsasky!! Just looked it up: believe it or not, he still has the vertigo. Strange.
ReplyDeleteAn ExactlyEsasky sighting - I like it! Too bad for Nick E. though. That must be rough.
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