Buyback Franken-set: Back in the Saddle

With the exception of a quick one-card post the other day it's been weeks now since I made any contributions towards my buyback franken-set project.  Let's get back in the saddle today with a random group of ten courtesy of an eBay lot...

1979 Topps #81 - Roger Erickson

We'll start off with Roger Erickson's rookie card, courtesy of 1979 Topps.  Roger's 1979 season was nothing to write home about, as he finished with a record of 3-10 and an ERA on the wrong side of 5.50.  Ouch!  Still, an interesting backdrop at least, I always appreciate seeing trees on a baseball card.

Interestingly enough (or not!), I already had a Twins hurler in slot 81 of the binder, from the previous year's flagship release.  Decisions, decisions...

I probably could have gone either way with this one, but I'm not one for replacing a card "just because" so Pete Redfern stays put for now.

1978 Topps #73 - Andy Hassler

Here's Andy Hassler, who looks in this photo as though he was roughly 9' tall.  Okay, that might be an exaggeration, but Hassler was an intimidating 6'5", and it really shows here.  He began 1978 with the Royals, but would end it with the Red Sox.

Tough match for Andy as the franken-set goes...

...unseating a '59 buyback from the binder is no easy task.

1979 Topps #174 - Rick Auerbach

Sticking with the late '70s, it's Rick Auerbach.  Despite being noted as a "SS-2B", Rick played more games at third in '79 (18) than he did at second (just 3).  Here you get a good look at Auerbach's "pythons" that are responsible for his 9 career home runs.

Another case where the existing card in the binder is a player on the same team as the challenger.  I've run across this very frequently over the course of this project, too much so for it to be coincidence alone.  How could I possibly choose the Auerbach over this '65 Joe Jay?

I couldn't.

1974 Topps #411 - Frank Baker

No way, a buyback of HOFer Frank "Home Run" Baker?!?!?!  What's that?  Oh, this is the Frank Baker with 1 career home run in just 146 career games played?  Well, he makes the franken-set binder regardless, as slot 411 was empty...

1975 Topps #322 - Ed Goodson

Next up, a colorful '75 Ed Goodson.  Ed looks a little concerned here, and he should be given that his path to the binder is blocked:

It seems fitting to me to have a '75 and a '90 square off, as they are some of the more colorful designs in the history of Topps' flagship releases.

Works out well, as I can move Goodson into the franken-set binder, and relocate Ortiz in my slowly-developing 1990 Topps buyback set.

1978 Topps #130 - Jeff Burroughs

Here's former NL MVP Jeff Burroughs, rocking some killer shades.  I love the late-'70s Braves gear.  If Burroughs is to make the binder though he'll have to oust this card:

Not a bad card all in all (I think that's a house or apartment complex in the background?), but it's got some kind of substance on the front.

I don't know if that's something that was smeared on there back in the '60s, or if it's mildew or something that's grown since, but either way I'm happy to rid my binder of it.  Wouldn't want that migrating to other buybacks...

1969 Topps #367 - Lou Johnson

Lou Johnson (who appears to be whistling here?) was traded to the Indians mid-way through the 1968 season, but actually spent 1969 with the Angels after they acquired him in trade just before the season got underway.  Unfortunately for hat-less Lou here, he faces off against an aesthetically pleasing Heritage buyback when it comes to franken-set induction:

Yup, that's a beaut'!

Easy choice.

1975 Topps #247 - Enos Cabell

I don't know a whole lot about Enos Cabell, as he wrapped up his career a few years before I became a fan of the game.  Still, a classic pose here on a classic design, and complete with the "slightly tilted photograph" that seemed to define Topps in the '70s.  A strong candidate for the franken-set for sure.

Strong enough to bounce Tucker Ashford here from the binder?

You bet!

1966 Topps #208 - Bob Miller

Here's the one non-'70s buyback from today's entrants, a '66 Bob Miller.  Miller was a reliable if unspectacular arm whose versatility enabled him to enjoy a lengthy MLB career that included three World Series championships.

A '76 Mike Lum seems like little competition for that '66 Miller, right?

Right.

1976 Topps #265 - Willie Davis

Lastly, my favorite card of today's post, Willie Davis' 1976 release.  Just look at that smile!  There's a man enjoying his craft right there.  I would've been hard pressed to choose another buyback over this one, but thankfully I don't have to as I hadn't yet acquired a #265 for the project!

Only a couple of new numbers, but that's about par for the course at this stage.  Nice to be back at it!

Franken-set Progress:  512/792 (63%)
"Rejected" Buybacks:  376
Total Buybacks in Collection: 888