The Grand Finale: The Frankenset Recap (Pages 88 and 89: Cards 785 to 800)

Welcome to another installment of a series covering my completed Frankenset. I thought it would be fun to share the set page by page on this blog, and also provide some random commentary with each page. More information on the Frankenset as well as links to the pages that have been revealed can be found here.

Today we'll look at pages 88 and 89 of the set, which includes the final two pages, containing cards #785 to 800. Don't fear though, since I'm covering the set pages in a random order, this won't be the last edition of this series. 

A quick note about the size of the set: When I was putting together the set, I decided to go the over-ambitious route and make it a 800 card set. When I realized I would come up a few cards short of finding a good fit for each number, I decided to cheat a little and create checklist cards for the remaining numbers. Six of the cards in the final two pages are checklists, so those numbers will be omitted here. Without further ado, here's the end of the set!

1993 Conlon TSN #785 - Phil Collins

Shares the name of one of my favorite musical artists. The MLB Phil Collins was nicknamed "Fidgety Phil" for his pre-pitch restlessness.

1993 Donruss #786 - Alex Cole

Overshadowed by Chris Sabo among players with iconic goggles.

1996 Collector's Choice #787 - Royce Clayton

Blowing a bubble while turning two? Impressive. 

1984 Topps #788 - Milt May

You don't see a wad of chew like that much anymore. Probably for the better.

1993 Upper Deck #789 - Greg Myers

A case of really committing to the follow through on this swing. Or maybe not committing? 

1990 Upper Deck #790 - Ron Kittle

Kittle's gotta be on the short list of bespectacled 80s sluggers. See also: Reggie Jackson, Greg Luzinski.

1989 Upper Deck #792 - Bruce Hurst

It almost looks like he's smiling here, which is unlikely because this kind of looks like a swing and a miss. Further circumstantial evidence: Hurst batted .113 for his career. 

1991 Score #795 - Reds' October (Barry Larkin/Chris Sabo)

Ozzie Smith was well-known for his backflip, but Larkin flipped in joy after Cincinnati beat Pittsburgh to advance to the World Series. The Reds won the Series four games to none over Oakland.

2007 Upper Deck #797 - Gabe Gross

Nice shot of the stadium in the background on this one. I'm notoriously terrible for identifying stadiums, so I'll leave that up to the experts. (Looking in your direction, Bo.)

1991 Upper Deck #799 - Bud Black

Spending only 4 of his 15 seasons in the National League, the current Rockies manager batted .145 in 179 career at-bats. He currently ranks #70 in career managerial wins.

Thanks for visiting. Did you have a favorite from these pages? The Larkin flip probably gets my vote, but I also really like the Bud Black follow through and the Greg Myers bat throw.

The Frankenset Recap (Page 38: Cards 335-343)

Welcome to another installment of a series covering my completed Frankenset. I thought it would be fun to share the set page by page on this blog, and also provide some random commentary with each page. More information on the Frankenset as well as links to the pages that have been revealed can be found here.

Today we'll look at page 38 of the set, which includes cards #335 to 343. 

1994 Topps #335, Kevin Mitchell

Kevin Mitchell signing autos, likely at Riverfront Stadium. Mitchell actually played parts of three seasons in Cincinnati, clubbing 30 homeruns in just 95 games in 1994. 

1992 Topps #336, Greg Anthony

If 1992 was a shirt, this would be it. 

1999 Topps #337, John Burkett

The follow through on this swing really looks like an AL pitcher, doesn't it? 

 

1992 Bowman # 338, Hensley Meulens

Meulens never lived up to expectations as a highly-touted Yankees prospect. His autograph can be had for a few dollars on eBay. 

1993 Upper Deck #339, Duane Ward

Was it magic gum? Ward posted a 1.95 ERA in 79 relief appearances in 1992. 

1990 Fleer #340, Robin Yount

Modern analytics wouldn't approve of bunting with a guy like Yount, the 1989 NL MVP. 

 

1992 Upper Deck #341, Glenn Braggs

Something's about to go down here, and it might get ugly. 

2001 Bowman #342, Grady Sizemore

Sizemore began his career with the Expos organization before being traded in 2002 along with Cliff Lee, Brandon Phillips, and Lee Stevens. In exchange, Cleveland sent Bartolo Colon and Tim Drew (J.D.'s brother) to Montreal. The Indians definitely got the better end of the deal. 

1990 Upper Deck #343, Ellis Burks

Keep your eye on the ball, Ellis. 

Do you have a favorite from this page? There's not a definite standout for me, but I'd say Sizemore with the Expos would be my pick. I also enjoy the Greg Anthony shirt and Robin Yount bunting.

Thanks for reading!

The Best Argument Against the DH? Rod Beck At-Bat - The Frankenset Recap (Page 13: Cards 110-118)

Welcome to another installment of a series covering my completed Frankenset. I thought it would be fun to share the set page by page on this blog, and also provide some random commentary with each page. More information on the Frankenset as well as links to the pages that have been revealed can be found here.

Today we'll look at page 13 of the set, which includes cards #110 to 118.

1993 Score Select #110 - Candy Maldonado

Ironically, that's not candy in his mouth. 

1993 Upper Deck #111 - Brady Anderson

"I got it! I got it!... I don't have it."

1995 Collector's Choice SE #112 - Rod Beck

Rod Beck was a .211 career hitter (4 hits in 19 at-bats). Not bad for a lifetime reliever. 

1993 Donruss Triple Play #113 - Andre Dawson

The Hawk really got sawed off on this pitch.

2015 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects #114 - Mariano Rivera

Easy to be a lesser known when the guy most people know had 652 saves. 

1991 Upper Deck #115 - Greg Maddux

Maddux had sacrifice bunts in nearly 10% of his career plate appearances (180 out of 1,812).

1992 Megacards The Babe Ruth Collection #116

Yes, this is Babe Ruth wearing a dress. This photo was probably taken around 1897, and the practice of putting boys in dresses faded out not long after. 

Per Wikipedia: "The main reason for keeping boys in dresses was toilet training, or the lack thereof. The change was probably made once boys had reached the age when they could easily undo the rather complicated fastenings of many early modern breeches and trousers. Before roughly 1550 various styles of long robes were in any case commonly worn by adult males of various sorts, so boys wearing them could probably not be said to form a distinct phenomenon. Dresses were also easier to make with room for future growth, in an age when clothes were much more expensive than now for all classes."

1989 Star #117 - Jamie Roseboro

Jamie's father, John Roseboro, played 14 major league seasons and is perhaps best known as the guy Juan Marichal clubbed over the head with a bat during a brawl. Jamie Roseboro topped out at AAA in 1991. 

1998 Upper Deck #118 - Hideo Nomo

I included this card despite the fact that any good Hideo Nomo card should show him in his legendary windup. 

Thanks for visiting. What was your favorite card from this page? It's kind of a tough call for me, but I'd probably go with the Rod Beck. 

Gum and Guns: The Frankenset Recap (Page 63: Cards 560-568)

Welcome to another installment of a series covering my completed Frankenset. I thought it would be fun to share the set page by page on this blog, and also provide some random commentary with each page. More information on the Frankenset as well as links to the pages that have been revealed can be found here.

Today we'll look at page 63 of the set, which includes cards #560 to 568. 

1994 Collector's Choice #560 - Jose Canseco

Dateline 1994: Jose still keeping up the charade that his athleticism was all-natural.

2001 Topps #561 - Trot Nixon

Trot's given name? Christopher Trotman Nixon. 

1989 Upper Deck #562 - Carney Lansford

Carney and the ump discussing dinner plans. 

1989 Topps #563 - Bill Schroeder

Just happy to be here, Skip!

1976 Topps #564 - Kurt Bevacqua

Bevacqua defeated Johnny Oates in the final round of the Joe Garagiola Bazooka Bubble Gum Blowing Championship (better known as the JGBBGBC). The Tigers and Pirates were the only teams not to send a player to join the competition, depriving us of knowing the bubble blowing potential of John Wockenfuss or Rennie Stennett. 

1991 Fleer #565 - Bill Pecota

Even if he checked his swing, this still looks like a strike. 

1991 Topps #566 - Craig Wilson

Did Wilson hit .171 in 1991 because he was spending too much time on his juggling? You decide.

1983 Fleer #567 - John Grubb

Ranger Aid fell out of popularity after people discovered its two ingredients were crude oil and the tears of Rangers fans.

1998 Fleer Tradition #568 - Miguel Cairo

Hacky sack with a baseball? Better be wearing your steel-toed cleats.

What is your favorite card from the page? I almost have to go with the Bevacqua, probably followed by Carney Lansford arguing (I love player/manager arguing cards), and maybe Bill Pecota third. 

A Legendary Hat and Legendary Goggles: The Frankenset Recap (Page 55: Cards 488-496)

Welcome to third installment of an 89-part series (wow, that sounds daunting) covering my completed Frankenset. I thought it would be fun to share the set page by page on this blog, and also provide some random commentary with each page. More information on the Frankenset as well as links to the pages that have been revealed can be found here.

I'll also occasionally share miscellaneous information about the set in its entirety. This week, I am featuring a fun fact about the "unique team" category. There are 77 cards in the 800 card set depicting a player with a "unique team." This is defined as a team you normally wouldn't associate that player with (think Willie Mays on the Mets or John Smoltz on the Cardinals). Here are the top teams featured in this category:

• Orioles - 7 (one of these is featured in this week's post, but the card only contributes a half point to this total, since it also fits another Frankenset category)
• Giants - 7 
• Athletics - 6 
• Padres - 5 
• Red Sox - 5 
• Angels - 5 
• Yankees - 5 

Today, we'll look at page 55 of the set, cards 488 to 496.

1993 Stadium Club #488, Scooter Tucker

The meaning of this nickname is not fully known, even by Scooter himself.

1992 Upper Deck #489, Paul Gibson

Probably Dubble Bubble, which means it lost its flavor after approximately 7 seconds.

1994 Pinnacle #490, Chris Sabo

Sabo's iconic goggles make an appearance with an added bonus of an unfamiliar uniform.

1982 Donruss #491, Billy Martin

It probably wasn't too hard to find an opportunity for this type of photo.

2013 Topps #492, Jose Molina

The middle Molina brother actually played 15 years in the majors, but is still lesser known than older brother Bengie and younger brother Yadier. 

1990 Score #493, Eric Show

If you only saw his face, I imagine you might think Eric was participating in an activity other than throwing a baseball.

2012 Topps #494, Darwin Barney

Airborne.

1984 Fleer #495, Jay Johnstone

Perhaps one of the most iconic cards of all time, from a quirkiness perspective. And Jay Johnstone was a quirky guy.

1987 Topps #496, Bruce Bochte

Bruce looks like a middle school science teacher from the early 90s. Does anyone wear glasses like that anymore?

What was your favorite card from the page? Mine would have to be the legendary Jay Johnstone. I've actually read a couple of his books, which are quick and entertaining reads. I'd say the Billy Martin would be my second choice and Chris Sabo would come in third. 

Thanks for reading!

Did that dog just pee on the field? - The Frankenset Recap (Page 14: Cards 119 to 127)

A couple of weeks ago, I revealed that my Frankenset was complete. I thought it would be fun to share the set page by page on this blog, and also provide some random commentary along with each page. More information on the Frankenset as well as links to the pages that have been revealed can be found here.

I'll also occasionally share miscellaneous information about the set in its entirety. This week, I'm revealing the players depicted most often in the Frankenset:

Player / Number of Appearances:

Jose Rijo - 5
Tom Glavine - 5
Jose Canseco - 5
Greg Maddux - 5
Dwight Gooden - 5
Steve Carlton - 4
Hideo Nomo - 4
19 Players - 3

Today, we'll look at page 14, cards 119 to 127.

1992 Leaf #119, Julio Franco

Come on, Julio, it's not the helmet's fault.

1992 Donruss #120, Carlos Baerga

Is Albert Belle is coming after him with a bat? I'd like to think so. 

1991 Score #121, Oddibe McDowell

MLB Limbo Champion, 1990.

1980 Topps #122, Dave Rosello

The Rosello 'Fro

1995 Collector's Choice #123, Randy Johnson

A 6'10" American League pitcher in the pre-interleague era tossing his bat at the ball. The definition of card perfection.

1993 Upper Deck #124, Andy Van Slyke

Upper Deck recognized Van Slyke's All-Star season in 1992 by showing him in the aftermath of being hit by a pitch. No idea why.

1992 Upper Deck Minors #125, Mark Anthony

I need to know, yeah, I need to know why Mark Anthony is making a fish lips face in this photo.

1996 Score #126, Benito Santiago

I'm sure Reds owner Marge Schott's St. Bernard (Schottzie) was a nice dog, but Marge wasn't and most people didn't like her. So the dog wasn't nearly as popular as he could have been. I read a biography of Schott and of the players said they hated the dog because Marge would let it just poop anywhere and not pick up after it. That sentiment is confirmed in this AP article from 1995, which provides more entertaining info on the dog saga.

1989 Fleer #127, Frank Viola

If Frank's face stayed like that, I hope he consulted a doctor.

Do you have a favorite from the page? I'd have to go with Randy Johnson #1, Van Slyke #2, and the Schottzie cameo at #3. If it wasn't Marge Schott's dog, that card would have shot up to #1. 

Thanks for reading!