Buyback Franken-set: Preparing for a Trade Post

Today I've got the last ten buybacks that have been scanned and sitting in draft format for a while.  Time to get them evaluated and (hopefully) sorted into the binder in order to get prepared to start showing off a large package of buybacks I recently received from a fellow blogger!

1975 Topps #337 - Kevin Kobel

We start off with another bright '75 today, Kevin Kobel of the Milwaukee Brewers.  Kevin first appeared with the Brewers as a teenager in 1973, but his career sort of fizzled out through the '70s, and he was out of baseball after a 3-year stint with the Mets that ended in 1980.  He makes the franken-set for now, however.

1976 Topps #166 - Skip Lockwood

Speaking of Mets hurlers, here's Skip Lockwood on his 1976 Topps release.  Didn't have a #166 buyback either, so Skip is in as well.  Lockwood was born in Massachusetts, and fittingly finished out his career with the Boston Red Sox, retiring after 1980 as well.

1978 Topps #605 - Rick Rhoden

Next up, a smiling Rick Rhoden.  Rick was known as a pitcher who could swing the bat, as is evidenced by his three consecutive Silver Slugger awards beginning in 1984.  If he hopes to make the franken-set though he's going to have to unseat another Dodger named Rick who's already in slot 605:

Hmm...which Rick to choose?  I think the NL All-Star banner gives this one the edge.

1977 Topps #98 - Milt May

Milt May won a World Series as a 21-year-old with the Pirates in 1971.  He's pictured here at about the mid-point of his MLB career.  Milt spent some time as a hitting coach with both the Pirates and Marlins after he retired as a player.  This card makes the franken-set without contest at #98.

1973 Topps #34 - Pat Dobson

Pat Dobson was actually in my last buyback franken-set post just a couple of days ago now.  This card is much nicer than that one though, as he enjoyed more success with Baltimore plus this is a more interesting photograph.  I haven't encountered a #34 buyback before this card, so Dobson makes the cut for the franken-set for the second time this week.

1963 Topps #33 - Bo Belinsky

Falling just one slot before that Dobson in the binder is this '63 Bo Belinsky.  I guess the seller I won this large lot from had these somewhat sorted by number, otherwise that's a pretty amazing coincidence.  Bo looked like he was going to become a superstar when he started his career with a four game winning streak, including a no-hitter against the Orioles, in 1962.  Things went downhill fast from there though, and Belinsky wrapped up his career less than a decade later with a 28-51 record.  Without any current competition, this card is in as well.

1976 Topps #34 - Mike Garman

Well, this is the first time that it's occurred so far in this project, but we have two cards from today's group of ten competing for the same spot.  Mike Garman's '76 Topps release is #34...

...and so is the '73 Dobson.

Mike and his airbrushed cap have found a home in the rejected box!

1979 Topps #364 - Gene Richards

It looks as though it had been a while since Gene Richards last received a haircut when this photo was taken.  Gene was a speedy singles hitter who actually got a few MVP votes in 1980.

If he wants to make the franken-set though he'll need to defeat Claude Raymond and his specs.

This is one where I'm going purely based on aesthetics and not really considering the players that are depicted.

1978 Topps #121 - Alvis Woods

After consecutive conflicts, Alvis Woods' 1978 card makes the set without issue.  I love that you can see the pitching coach throwing batting practice in the background here, and is that a Miller High Life ad I see next to the scoreboard?

1979 Topps #690 - Buddy Bell

Last card for the day makes the set as well, which isn't surprising in the least with a card number as high as 690.  Buddy was a 5-time All-Star, 6-time Gold Glove winner, a won a Silver Slugger.  He's in the Texas Rangers HOF, having enjoyed his most productive seasons with the club between 1979 and 1985.  He would also manage three different MLB teams from the mid-'90s through 2007.

I feel like the blog has become very buyback-centric lately, and I apologize for that.  I'm in a bit of a rut with collecting in the aftermath of the whole Beckett/Zistle thing, and they're one of the few things that is really retaining my interest through this time.  I promise I'll have some more varied content coming soon here as we approach the holidays.  Thanks for sticking with me in the meantime!

Franken-set Progress:  240/792 (30%)
"Rejected" Buybacks:  57