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!

An Unexpected PWE: Everyone's Dream

I recently received a PWE from Brendan, better known as Elliptical Man over at A View from the Third Floor. When I saw the envelope, I didn't think I had won a recent giveaway or anything, so I was intrigued. So, what was inside? It didn't take me long to see they were all candidates for my Frankenset, but if there was any doubt, Brendan included a little checklist guide to what he sent.

Eighteen cards in total made their way from beautiful San Diego to the less picturesque Fargo in a 70 cent envelope. Some were cards I already had in my Frankenset, but some were new to me, so I will need to see if they might find a home in the set. 

Dave Stewart the cameraman. Chuck Finley hugging a runner. The Gary Pettis is a great find. He missed the bunt! Hadn't noticed this one before. Some great glasses/sunglasses shots, too. Do you know the guy in the middle? Scroll down for the answer. And Steve Carlton with the White Sox? Just doesn't look right.

Chris Bosio signing some autos. Why is 40-something Carlton Fisk bunting? Tim Raines bunting - makes more sense. Pitcher running the bases. Two legendary nicknames. Love a good bubble gum card. And then you have the Rollie Fingers mustache battling the Justin Turner beard (sorry it's sideways). 

I appreciate Brendan going through my list and finding some awesome cards to fit my Frankenset categories. He's a loyal reader of the blog, too, so I owe him a double thanks! 

The man in the middle on page one was the one and only Jay Buhner. If you got it wrong, you owe me one Ken Phelps card.

My Favorite Frankenset Card by Page; Page 2 (Cards 10-18)

If you were here for the first installment of this series, welcome back. You must have enjoyed part one enough to return, so thanks! Page two of the Frankenset features card numbers 10 to 18. There are some great candidates:

• A guy with the first name Debs (named after early 20th Century American Socialist Eugene Debs),

• Nick Esasky not only with the Braves but with a mysterious mustache, and...

1990 Donruss Best NL #13, Nick Esasky

• David Cone looking like anything but a pitcher batting left-handed for the Mets.

1992 Stadium Club #17, David Cone

But when a card checks two Frankenset boxes, it becomes hard to beat. In this case, a picture of a guy bunting that makes you say "Why him?" and a wad of chew visible from the upper deck. I present to you another 1990 Donruss Best card, this one from the American League:

1990 Donruss Best AL #15, Mickey Tettleton

It is bewildering to me that you would ask Mickey Tettleton to bunt. Hopefully, he was just showing bunt. Perhaps only Frank Robinson knows (God rest his soul, as he passed in February of last year). Not sure about the technique displayed by ol' Fruit Loops either (apparently his nickname). Looks like his hand would get crushed. In any event, Tettleton is indeed in the bunt position, but you may have been distracted by this fact by the wad in Tettleton's left cheek. This card is just too much for me to handle. And it isn't the first time our Orange bird slugger appeared to be eating a golf ball on a baseball card.

1988 Donruss #103, Mickey Tettleton

In any event, this page goes to the Mickster.