Buyback Franken-set: Beginning Another Year

I haven't done a Buyback Franken-set post since before the holidays here.  Let's take a crack at it tonight with another handful of cards...

1967 Topps #275 - Fred Whitfield

In the lead-off spot, a beat up and creased '67 Fred Whitfield.  I'll confess that I don't know much about the man.  I guess the thing that sticks out most to me is that windbreaker jacket under the jersey look.  Not the most interesting buyback as far as '60s buybacks go.

Already had this '77 Mike Hargrove buyback in slot 275.  I'm too young to remember Mike as a player, but I certainly remember him as a manager.

Going with the Hargrove for sure.

1989 Topps #741 - Ken Phelps

Ken Phelps was fortunate enough to be dealt from the Yankees to the Athletics in 1989, allowing him to win a World Series.  As far as aesthetics go, this is a fairly bland piece of cardboard.  The thing is, it's my first #741 buyback, which makes it an automatic winner in my book.  One card closer to franken-set completion!

1988 Topps #631 - Jack Howell

The Angels were the first stop in Jack Howell's 15-year career that saw him play for a few different franchises both in Major League Baseball and over in Japan.  Photo's a bit more interesting to me on this one at least, an example of 1988 Topps at its finest if you ask me.

Is it nice enough to bounce a Heritage buyback featuring a Seattle Pilot, though?

Not a chance.

1987 Topps #563 - John Stefero

John who?  Look, I'm not getting any younger and I'm past the age where my memory is improving for sure.  With that being said I have zero recollection of ever having heard the name John Stefero in my life.  How about you?  Unfamiliar to me or not, this one is making the binder as my first #563 buyback.  Two new numbers in tonight's post, which is starting to become a rarity at this stage of the project.

1986 Topps #238 - Larry Parrish

It's odd to me that Larry Parrish has to squint into the camera despite wearing glasses that large.  Little known fact, Larry finished his MLB career with a very short stint in Boston at the end of the 1988 season.

Already have this Eric King '89 buyback in slot 238.  What to do, what to do...

I'm going to push King out in favor of Parrish.  I don't really have a strong opinion here either way, maybe it was Larry's spectacles that made the difference, not sure.

1984 Topps #698 - Marc Hill

Next up, catcher Marc Hill of the White Sox featured on a 65th Anniversary buyback from 2016.  Those were some...interesting jerseys the Sox sported back then.  I'm not familiar with Marc, who retired when I was all of 4 years old and carried a career batting average of .223.  Maybe the uniform alone gets him into the binder though?

Well, Juan Bernhardt here has something to say about that.  I don't think I can rule against this wonderful "trident logo" batting helmet.

Sorry Marc...

1978 Topps #170 - Lou Brock

Last card for tonight, and it sure is a nice one as far as buybacks go.  I don't think HOF speedster Lou Brock needs any type of introduction from me.  Lou had certainly lost a step by 1978, given that it was his age 39 season, but he still managed 17 stolen bases despite appearing in only 92 games.  A great card here of an aged legend.  This one makes the set without question, right?

Not so fast, Brock runs into an absolute buzz-saw as far as this franken-set project goes.  Bo Jackson's iconic 1987 Topps Future Stars card is one of my favorite cards of the '80s, period.

I have to go with Bo, no question.  Another example here of just how difficult it is to make the binder at this point.  Even a vintage buyback of a guy enshrined in Cooperstown isn't a lock anymore.  Amazing.

I'm going to call it there for tonight because these 7 buybacks bring my running total up to 1,299.  Going to try to find something special for a one-card buyback post to celebrate the 1,300 buyback threshold.  Until then, thanks for stopping by!

Franken-set Progress: 639/792 (80%)
1990 Topps Buyback Set: 106/792 (13%)
"Rejected" Buybacks: 554
Total Buybacks in Collection: 1,299