Buyback Franken-set: Off the Wall Part IV - Dick Pole & Friends

Another day, another ten buybacks evaluated for inclusion in my franken-set.  Today's batch once again comes courtesy of Shane Katz of Off the Wall.

1975 Topps #513 - Dick Pole

We'll start off with one that pleases the 12-year-old in me with a juvenile sense of humor, a '75 Topps Dick Pole.  Pole, who was aptly named given his 6'3" frame, actually suffered a really nasty injury in 1975.  A line drive to the face broke his jaw and damaged his retina, but amazingly he was able to return in time for the post-season.  I've already got a card in slot 513...

It's interesting to me just how similar the photographs on these two cards are.  As a Red Sox fan though my decision should be relatively obvious...

1974 Topps #427 - Bobby Bolin

Two Red Sox hurlers in a row to start off today, I like it!  This is a "sunset card" for Bobby, as he actually pitched what would be his final MLB game at the tail end of the 1973 season.  Like the Dick Pole I led off with, this one also has some pre-existing competition for the franken-set:

Hmm...a very off-center card of backup backstop Dave Rader from 1977 Topps.

Yup, I'm going with the Red Sox card again.

1973 Topps #321 - Rich Hinton

Rich Hinton seems like your classic "AAAA pitcher" from what I can tell.  In fact, after 12 appearances in the 1972 season he wouldn't pitch an inning of Major League ball in either 1973 or 1974.  It's somewhat happenstance that he received a card as a Ranger in the '73 set, as he pitched all of 11 innings with the team over 5 outings in his career, all towards the end of the 1972 season.  He makes the franken-set as my only #321 buyback so far.

1971 Topps #387 - Ron Herbel

This is actually the second Ron Herbel to make the franken-set, as I pulled his 1969 Topps buyback myself from a box of 2015 Topps Update.  This is about as bland a card as you'll find, and hat-less players are a pet peeve of mine, but either way it plugs a hole for now.

1970 Topps #261 - Curt Motton

This Curt Motton is almost the polar opposite of the last card.  An interesting photograph, Curt is actually wearing a hat, and the background is interesting as well.  I was happy to see that 261 was a number I was missing previously, so Curt is in.

1969 Topps #382 - Pat Corrales

Pat Corrales' career was spent mainly as a backup catcher (to Johnny Bench for a number of seasons, among others).  When his playing days were through he'd go on to manage for the Rangers ('78-'80), Phillies ('82-'83) and Indians ('83-'87).  This card makes the franken-set uncontested as well.

1969 Topps #77 - Ron Perranoski

This one also makes the set, and it's the second Ron Perranoski buyback to do so.  The other was a 1967 buyback from Topps Heritage that Mark Hoyle gifted me when I met up with him and Matt from Bob Walk the Plank for dinner a few months ago.  Could Topps have possibly put less effort into hiding the fact that Ron was wearing a Dodgers cap in this photo?  Don't think so!

1969 Topps #388 - Tom McCraw

Here's the last of the trio of '69 buybacks for today, journeyman first baseman/outfielder Tommy McCraw.  After his retirement, McCraw spent over two decades as a batting coach at the Major League level, a position he held with various franchises until as recently as 2005!  This card makes the set without contest as well.

1968 Topps #281 - Jim Campanis

Continuing to work my way backwards here with a 1968 Topps Jim Campanis.  Jim's career consisted of 113 games spread out over 6 seasons with the Dodgers, Royals and Pirates.  While Jim may not have exactly been a superstar, this is a nice looking card if you ask me.  I love the photo, and there's certainly much worse to be found on the 1968 Topps checklist.  This one's in, and is currently occupying slot 281 in the binder.

1967 Topps #372 - Mike de la Hoz

Last card for today is a box-topper buyback from 2016 Topps Heritage featuring Mike de la Hoz (or Miguel Angel de la Hoz Piloto to be proper).  Mike's career as a utility infielder fits neatly within the confines of the 1960s, with his MLB debut coming in 1960 and his final appearance in 1969.  I really don't know much about the guy, but I do know that I didn't have a #372 buyback before this one came in, so Mike's got a spot in the set for now.

Another great batch as far as the numbers go, with eight new numbers for the set and two conflicts that both won out over the competition.  I've got two more posts to go as far as the buybacks that Shane sent me, and depending on how those go I could find myself over the 300 card mark in the franken-set very shortly here!

Franken-set Progress:  290/792 (37%)
"Rejected" Buybacks:  78
Total Buybacks in Collection:  368