Buyback Franken-set: Just Nine This Time

I've gotten in the habit of getting through ten cards per buyback franken-set post most of the time.  While I scanned in ten again for this latest batch I didn't realize one was a duplicate, so you're getting just nine tonight.  Let's see how we do...

1990 Topps #273 - Bobby Bonilla

Coming out of the gate strong with a card that, to me personally, has always been one of the more memorable ones from the 1990 Topps release.  Bonilla was a beast during this period too, and actually finished second in NL MVP voting in 1990 thanks to his 32 home runs, 39 doubles, and career high 120 RBI.

Already had a nice vintage buyback in slot 273.  Truthfully, Bobby Bo should probably knock this one out, but since I'm working on a 1990 Topps buyback set as well...

...I'd rather slide this one into that binder.  If I ever end up with a duplicate copy of this one though Dave Johnson will be in serious trouble.

1990 Topps #80 - Jeff Russell

A second straight 1990 buyback to start things off.  Jeff Russell was a very solid pitcher for a few years in the late '80s/early '90s.  He became the Rangers' closer in 1989, and responded with 38 saves and 66 games finished, both tops in the league!  I'd yet to acquire a #80 buyback, so this one makes the franken-set binder by default.

1988 Topps #669 - Phillies Leaders

I think I've mentioned this before, but the '88 Team Leaders subset cards are among my least favorite Topps cards of the '80s.  I think the cloudy borders always bothered me.  The Phillies managed just 65 wins in 1988, not a very impressive team at all.  This is the first #669 buyback in my collection so far, so it also makes the binder.  It won't take much to bump this card if it ever comes down to that.

1988 Topps #467 - Don Aase

Don Aase began his career as a Major League pitcher all the way back in 1977 with the Boston Red Sox.  By 1988 he was on the back nine, and tossing out of the bullpen for Baltimore.  He appeared in 35 games that season but did not record a win or a loss, which is interesting.  Unbelievably this is the third straight card here that's a new number for the project!  I seriously doubt whether I'll ever get three consecutive new numbers like this ever again.

 2006 Topps #21 - Lance Berkman

A really nice buyback here.  This one came my way as part of a lot I picked up on eBay that worked out to around 25 cents per card.  I love it because Lance Berkman had an absolute monster season in 2006.  Just how good?  How about a .315 average, 45 home runs, 136 RBI and an OPS of 1.041!  Lance finished 3rd in MVP voting that year.

Amazingly, I had a different Astros first baseman/outfielder in slot 21.

Obviously going with Lance Berkman over Bob Gallagher.

2006 Topps #195 - Mike Sweeney

Mike Sweeney had some very solid years for the Royals between 1999 and 2005, but 2006 was where he really started experiencing a drop-off in production.  Health was certainly a factor, as he never appeared in 75 games in any season after '05.

Rough match-up when it comes to the franken-set too, as Sweeney is pitted against Bill Madlock.

Easy choice there.

1999 Topps #253 - Steve Finley

I like this one because I don't have many 1999 Topps buybacks, and I don't have many Arizona Diamondbacks buybacks either.  1999 was Steve Finley's first year in Arizona, having signed as a free agent in the off-season.  He had a great first year in the desert too, clubbing 34 home runs and a career-best 103 RBI, while also providing Gold Glove-winning defense in center field.

This extremely beat-up Don Mueller already calls slot 253 home.

I decided to keep the Mueller where it was, but having thought it over some more I think I probably made the wrong call here.  You don't run into many pre-1960 buybacks, and I think I let that influence me more than it should have.  I could easily see myself swapping these around someday.

1991 Topps #464 - Steve Buechele

Steve Buechele split his 1991 season between the Rangers and the Pirates, who acquired him in trade in late August.  He had arguably the best season of his career, setting personal highs in home runs and RBI while batting 17 points above his lifetime average.  An interesting dugout shot here too, though the lack of a ball-cap bothers me.

Nick Swisher's 2006 release has been in slot 464 for a bit...

...and hat-less Steve Buechele isn't enough to change that fact.

1993 Topps #582 - Shawn Abner

Last card for tonight, featuring outfielder Shawn Abner.  Shawn's 6-season career actually wrapped up in 1992, making this a sunset card.  Ultimately, he just couldn't put up the type of offensive numbers that you expect from an outfielder.

Mike Kekich's '76 release stands in Abner's way as far as the franken-set...

...and Kekich will remain in the binder for now.

Three new numbers out of nine cards, I'll take that.  Coming up next I've got a batch of buybacks from my good buddy Dimebox Nick as the charge towards 1,000 continues!

Franken-set Progress:  537/792 (67%)
"Rejected" Buybacks:  441
Total Buybacks in Collection: 978