I’ve had this card in my collection since March 31, 2008 — literally Opening Day (it’s at the bottom of my live Opening Day Blog posted here) — and it was not until Thursday night did I realize how cool this card it is. All you have to do is look at Daisuke’s hand for the reason. Is that not the supposed gyroball?

I’m kicking myself for not seeing this earlier. I mean it’s not like it’s hidden. It’s right there, plain as day and all it took was eight months for me to realize it.

Topps actually used this same photo cropped differently on the base Topps card, and the Red Sox team set card, but unless you are really looking at his hand, it’s hard to tell what he’s throwing. Topps cropped part of the hand off on those cards. (here)

On the Opening Day card, they used a horizontal version of the image, one that accentuates the throwing hand. And what makes this card all the bit more interesting is that the supposed gyro ball is discussed on the back.

This is an interesting day to note this (and I assure you it is purrely by coincidence) since Boston signed another Japanese pitcher today, Junichi Tazawa. No word on if Tazawa throws this supposed gyro.

Anyhow, for your viewing pleasure, here is the “gyro.”

This entry was posted on December 5, 2008 at 1:35 am and is filed under Card of the Day with tags baseball cards, Boston Red Sox, Card of the Day, Cardboard Icons, Daisuke Matsuzaka, gyro ball, gyroball, Junichi Tazawa, Topps. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.