1979 TCMA Burlington Bees Baseball #5, Sam Gierham (actually Gierhan)

Does today's card look a little off to you? Too smoothed on the crown? Oddly blended along the logo? I doubt that TCMA spent precious money on airbrushing--at least nothing like what Topps does every single year--but I could swear there's something unoriginal about Mr. Gierham's visage.

Speaking of that name, "Sam Gierham" doesn't really exist, but Sam Gierhan does, and pitched three years of minor league ball between 1975 and 1979. (There's a two-year gap for 1976-77, which I assume he committed to college studies.) Based on Google results, this TCMA card's the only time a "Sam Gierham" has ever existed.

TCMA got Sam's name right on their 1978 Newark Pilots team issue, but neglected to carry over his 0-1 record for this card back. He won a total of 2 games in the minors, both in 1975 rookie league play.

1979 Burlington Bees checklist courtesy of TeamSets4U.com; player names appear correct to me, other than Sam.

1. Larry Edwards
2. Russell Ramirez
3. Pat Seegers
4. Jim Robinson
5. Sam Gierham (Gierhan)
6. Rocky Hall
7. Willie Lozado
8. Nick Hernandez
9. Ron Buggs
10. Dan Gilmartin
11. Mark Lepson
12. Doug Jones
13. Steve Gibson
14. Bob Gibson
15. Johnny Evans
16. Roberto Diaz
17. Duane Espy
18. Vince Bailey
19. Randy Boyce
20. Greg De Hart
21. Stan Davis
22. Vince Pone
23. Jim Padula
24. Steve Norwood
25. Steve Manderfield

Value: This #5 cost $2 at MinorLeagueSingles.com. A few of Sam's teammates reached the majors, but no one's famous enough to run more than a few dollars. (#14 is the other Bob Gibson, who won a dozen games for Milwaukee in the 1980s.)

Fakes / reprints: Haven't seen any in the marketplace.