Signature Sundays - Ron Francis

I've recently started a fun side project of accumulating some autographs from the 1989-90 Topps/O-Pee-Chee hockey releases.  This was the first set I ever collected as a kid, so it's always been extra sentimental to me.  So far I've picked up Al MacInnis and Brett Hull autographs, and tonight I present my third HOFer:

Being a Whalers fan, Ron Francis is a card I'm very happy to have scored for this project.  As a 7-year-old who was learning the game myself, and getting my first taste of live NHL action at the time (at the Hartford Civic Center!), Francis was larger than life.  Even though the team was usually mediocre at best, Ron was a special player and a model of consistency.

Francis was the team's captain, and the player the fans adored most.  I can still remember meeting Ron and many of his teammates and getting autographs on "Junior Whalers Day", and I vividly recall the absolute shock and horror among the fan base when he was dealt to Pittsburgh.

Well, that's a wrap for tonight.  I've got other Ron Francis autos in my collection, but this one provides the most nostalgia value by far.  Three down and many, many cards to go as far as this project is concerned.  I'm really in no rush though, knowing I'll never "finish" a set of these makes it easy to just enjoy them as they come.

Buyback Franken-set: Unopened Packs Edition

I know it's been buyback overload here lately, but today I need to clean out the last of what I have scanned in order to lay the groundwork for an awesome trade package I received last week, so you're getting a baker's dozen again today...

When 2017 Topps Heritage hit the shelves a few weeks back, I was fortunate enough to win a small lot of unopened buyback box-toppers on eBay.  As a fan of buybacks I like to pick up at least a handful from each year's Heritage set, and I thought combining my love for buybacks with the thrill of unopened packs might be a fun way to do so this year.

For today I'll tear into the first three...

1968 Topps #164 - Ramon Webster

Ramon Webster had an impressive rookie year with Oakland in 1967, enough so that he started the 1968 season batting cleanup for the club.  Ramon looked like he would be an important piece for the up-and-coming franchise, but after suffering a leg injury early in 1968 he missed most of the year.  He never really regained his prior form afterwards, and was out of baseball by 1971.

I already had this late-career Mickey Lolich in the binder in slot 164...

...and I'm definitely going with that one over this hat-less player with a white line worn through his face.

1968 Topps #79 - Ted Kubiak

Pack two disappointingly revealed another hat-less Athletic, infielder Ted Kubiak.  Ted would last a lot longer with the franchise than Ramon Webster did, and was a member of the back-to-back-to-back championship teams of the '70s.  This one gains some humor points with me as well for that runaway wing of hair protruding from Ted's left temple.

Again there was pre-existing competition here with this relatively bland '73 Jim Willoughby.

This is one of those rare times where I'm actually selecting a hat-less player over one donning a cap.

1968 Topps #64 - Jim Merritt

Last pack for today finally yields a guy wearing a ball cap, pitcher Jim Merritt of the Twins.  1968 was actually Merritt's final year with the Twins, he'd move onto the Reds then the Rangers before finishing his career.  Like with the other two Heritage buybacks, Jim doesn't get a free pass into the binder:

Ouch.

That was an easy decision at least.  Not off to the greatest start with these, but I have a few more that I haven't opened yet so we'll see if I fare better at some point in the future.

1976 Topps #308 - Jim Barr

Jim Barr was a very solid pitcher for the Giants throughout the mid-'70s, consistently winning 10+ games for a franchise that wasn't exactly lighting the world on fire.  This card looks pretty terrible though; aside from being way off-center it looks like a rodent or something chewed up the left border.

It's facing off against another beat-up card when it comes to the franken-set.

I just can't choose Barr over Clemente and the gang.

1976 Topps #327 - Dave Moates

I don't really know the first thing about Dave Moates, whose MLB career lasted for parts of three seasons in the '70s.  I do know that I didn't have a #327 buyback previously though, so for the first time today the franken-set inches closer to completion.

1973 Topps #336 - Tom Bradley

Tom Bradley was a right-handed pitcher who ended up with a career record of 55-61 across a few seasons as a starter.  At least he's wearing a cap, and those glasses just scream '70s.  I didn't have a #336 buyback prior to this, so that's two straight cards that go into the binder!

1973 Topps #272 - Ed Farmer

Ed Farmer was constantly on the move, playing for nine different franchises over the course of his 11-year career.  This is a nice photo of him with the team he debuted with, the Cleveland  Indians.  I like the stadium backdrop, though the card itself is horribly off-center.  Farmer's been handling play-by-play duty for White Sox radio broadcasts for about a decade now.

This Tommy Helms was already in slot 272.  It's got better centering, and honestly I just have way more '73s in the binder than I do '71s so...

...Tommy stays and Ed is out.

1973 Topps #236 - Tito Fuentes

The 1973 Topps set is known for these fantastic multi-player action shots where you can barely tell which player is the actual subject of the card, and this Tito Fuentes is a prime example.  Like many collectors, I've always enjoyed these.  Topps carried the practice over to their hockey release that same year, and they're some of my favorite cards from that set as well.

This one probably would have steamrolled any competition, but as it stands there wasn't any.  Fuentes is in.

1979 Topps #264 - Don Robinson

Don Robinson was a longtime starter for the Pirates, and as pitchers go he was one of the more effective hitters of his day.  He won three Silver Slugger Awards and had 13 career home runs, including a pinch-hit home run in 1990 (something that hadn't been done for nearly 20 seasons).  Above all, I like this one because the Pirates won it all in '79, and Robinson actually won the second game of that World Series with a very solid performance against the O's.  Without any other #264 buybacks, Robinson makes the cut uncontested.

1975 Topps #416 - Larry Lintz

I'll close it out for today with a quartet of bold, colorful '75s, starting with switch-hitting speedster Larry Lintz.  Like the majority of collectors I love the '75 set in general, plus this one has a great photograph and Larry's name is fun to pronounce.

Unfortunately, Lintz ran into a buzz-saw with respect to the franken-set.  Foster Castleman is also an interesting name, and there aren't exactly a ton of '58s in the binder.

Lintz loses in a close one.

1975 Topps #96 - Mike Cosgrove

Next up, Mike Cosgrove of the Astros.  I don't really know anything about the lefty reliever, who spent all five of his MLB seasons with the Astros, and retired years before I was even born.  Surprisingly the binder was lacking a #96 buyback though, so Cosgrove is now sitting in that slot.

1975 Topps #522 - Gary Sutherland

Gary Sutherland was known more for his fielding prowess than for his bat during a career that lasted from 1966 through 1978.  He was one of the top second basemen in the league during his prime when it came to turning a double play, and scored the first run in Expos franchise history in 1969.  A nice high number too at 522, Gary is in.

1975 Topps #475 - Darrell Evans

I didn't have a #475 buyback either, so this Darrell Evans is now a part of the franken-set.  I was happy to bring this one into the fold too, given that I just tossed out his '74 Topps buyback earlier this week.  400+ career home runs seems more than worthy for a place in the set.

After a rough start, with none of the first four cards providing a new number for this project, things bounced back nicely and in the end I got 7 new numbers from 13 total cards.  At this stage of the project I'll take 50% or greater odds any day.

Franken-set Progress:  352/792 (44%)
"Rejected" Buybacks:  141
Total Buybacks in Collection:  493

Buyback Franken-set: Jack the Ripper & The Green Monster

I haven't been to a card show or my local shop in many, many months.  Combine that with the fact that I've curbed and nearly eliminated my retail spending, and the result is that eBay and COMC have basically been my only two sources for new cards for a long time now.

Today I arrived home from work to find four packages in my mailbox, all the result of recent eBay wins.  Three bubble mailers and one PWE; I'm short on time and mentally exhausted so I grabbed and scanned just the PWE for tonight:

1992 Topps #207 - Jack Clark

When I saw this one listed a couple weeks back for a penny with free shipping it went onto my watch list immediately.  Towards the end I pounced, and my final cost was $1.32.  When you consider that it cost the seller a 49 cent stamp just to ship it to me, it's a very solid addition to my buyback collection for just pocket change.

As a Red Sox fan, this has always been one of my favorite cards from the '92 Topps set, which is really saying something as there are a ton of interesting and well-done cards in that release.  I just love the shot of the pensive slugger, staring off into the distance in what would end up being the final season of his MLB career.

Best of all, I didn't have a #207 buyback previously, so the franken-set is one card closer to completion!

Maybe tomorrow I'll post the contents of one of the bubble mailers...

Franken-set Progress:  345/792 (44%)
"Rejected" Buybacks:  135
Total Buybacks in Collection:  480

A Surprise Mailing from The Commish

On Monday I found a PWE from Commishbob of The Five Tool Collector waiting in my mailbox for me after work.  When we were emailing a couple of weeks back he indicated that he had another buyback to send me for my franken-set project, but I certainly wasn't expecting an entire 9-pocket sheet of awesome cards!

For starters I received this 2016 Heritage Combo Card insert featuring a couple of guys who had pretty great seasons last year.  I don't buy a whole lot of modern cards typically, so while I'd seen this one before I always assumed it was part of the base set.  Now I see that they were actually an insert.  You learn something new every day.

There was one hockey card among the group of nine, this O-Pee-Chee Rainbow parallel of B's netminder Chad Johnson.  I love me some shiny cards, so this one is perfect.  Chad is still playing in the league too, he's with the Calgary Flames now and has made 34 starts with them so far this season, splitting time with Brian Elliott.

Bob recently completed the 1958 Topps set, which is quite an accomplishment to say the least.  He was kind enough to share what I assume are some of his duplicates with me here!

Sammy White once scored three times in a single inning for Boston, and caught Mel Parnell's 1956 no-hitter as well!

Bill Renna was just winding down his MLB career with Boston in the late '50s, playing his final two seasons (1958 & 1959) with the Red Sox.

This one is particularly cool as I can never get enough cards of the great (and somewhat strange) Jimmy Piersall.  His '58 release was one I was missing previously, thus this well-loved copy is one of my favorite cards from this PWE.

Bob also included two cards from the fantastically colorful All-Star subset in right fielder Jackie Jensen...

...and third baseman Frank Malzone.  This was the first year that Topps included a separate All-Star subset in its flagship release and the cards are just beautiful in my opinion.  In fact, I enjoy them so much that I completed the entire 21-card run in a grade of PSA 6 a few years ago.  It's great to get a couple of raw copies for my Sox binders, the only one I'm missing raw now is some guy named Ted Williams!

As promised, Bob sent along a buyback as well, though he actually surprised me again here and sent not one but a pair!

1959 Topps #392 - Whitey Herzog

Whoa.  Talk about a solid buyback to start off with.  This '59 Herzog is from the 2014 Topps release; the first year they really did the whole buyback thing (outside of the Heritage box-toppers).  Whenever I hear Herzog's name I think of him as a coach first and foremost, since those were the first cards of his that I saw as a kid.  It's great to get a buyback from his playing days, especially one from a set I like as much as '59 Topps.

I assumed this one would be a shoe-in for the franken-set when I found it in the PWE, but as it so happens I added another nice #392 buyback to the binder only yesterday:

Man.  I really love the photograph on this one, as well as the fact that it came out the same season that the A's made it three straight World Series championships.  This was a painful decision, and I actually had to remind myself that this project is supposed to be fun, not something I agonize over.

It pains me to say it but I'm going with the Dick Green, based largely on the photograph.  I'm fairly certain this might be the first HOFer I've rejected to date, but I'm sure it won't be the last.  I really do love all buybacks though, and even my ever-growing box of franken-set rejects is one of the most prized parts of my collection.

Besides, Bob had better luck with the other buyback he sent along:

1985 Topps #675 - Tony Perez

Sweet!  From the 2017 Topps buyback program comes my very first buyback of 7x All-Star, World Series champ, and HOFer Tony Perez!  What an awesome buyback to receive completely by surprise.  A great action photograph and a nice, large Reds logo make for a very visually-appealing card.

Like with the Herzog buyback, there's some existing competition here for the binder:

This buyback, featuring a "less than flattering" photo of Tim McCarver, was part of a contest winnings package from Gavin of Baseball Card Breakdown.

I hope Gavin won't be offended, but I have to go with the Perez over Tim here.

Bob, what a spectacular surprise this package was, you certainly know how to brighten up a Monday!  Two HOFer buybacks and some '50s Red Sox, it truly does not get much better than that.  Thank you!

Franken-set Progress:  344/792 (43%)
"Rejected" Buybacks:  135
Total Buybacks in Collection:  479

Buyback Franken-set: '74s & a Pilot

Ten more buybacks to look at today from the large lot I won a while back.  All of today's save one are from the 1974 Topps set.  Let's see how they fare...

1974 Topps #12 - Dave May

Dave May was coming off the best season of his career here.  He hit .303 in 1973, with 25 home runs, 93 RBI, and the most total bases of any player in the league.  I love the way Topps framed the bat barrel shot here, and it almost looks like Dave just "popped up" the buyback stamp in the upper right.

Unfortunately I've already got this great 1967 Strikeout Leaders buyback in slot 12 of the binder.

There was no question as to how that contest was going to end.

1974 Topps #140 - Darrell Evans

Next up is the man Bill James dubbed "the most underrated player in baseball history".  Evans always struggled with his batting average, but could draw walks with the best of 'em, and possessed good power as well.  He hit 20 or more home runs in 10 different seasons, and most impressively led the league with 40 round-trippers in 1985 at age 38!

Unfortunately for Darrell, this Bret Saberhagen buyback beat him into the binder when it showed up recently in a PWE from Joe Shlabotnik.  A tough call for sure...

...but I'm going with the 2x Cy Young winner.

1974 Topps #392 - Dick Green

Next we've got an awesome horizontal photo of Dick Green turning two!  It's not just the photograph that makes this one a nice card however, as Green and the A's would win their third straight World Series championship in 1974.  Dick won the Babe Ruth Award that post-season as well, and retired after the A's released him in the off-season.  Talk about going out on top!  With no current competition for slot 392 I'm pleased to say that this one makes the binder.

1974 Topps #442 - Alan Foster

Here's another one that makes the cut without contest, featuring right-handed pitcher Alan Foster of the Cardinals.  The dugout backdrop here is unique, I'm amused by just how little protection there was between the field and the guys on the bench in those days.

1974 Topps #568 - Jack Brohamer

The Indians drafted Jack Brohamer in 1967, but he wouldn't make his MLB debut until a few years later.  He actually got a hit in his first at-bat against the Red Sox, the team he would later finish out his career with between 1978 and 1980.

Despite being a relatively high-numbered card, Brohamer isn't safe as I've already got this '77 Steve Renko in slot 568.

I'm going with Renko and that baby blue Cubs uni.

1974 Topps #571 - Rich Hand

A lot of nice higher numbers in this batch, actually.  Rich Hand, whose MLB career actually concluded at the end of 1973, is in at #571.  I love the busy background on this card.

1974 Topps #508 - Montreal Expos

The Expos were a middling team in 1974, finishing 4th in the NL East with a record of 79-82 (they must have had a rain-out that was never replayed), 8 1/2 games behind the division leading Pirates.  The most notable player on the roster was probably rookie catcher and future HOFer Gary Carter, who was called up in September after putting up great numbers in AAA for most of the season.  In order for this one to make the franken-set it will have to surpass this card:

Holy airbrushing batman!

Pagan is out, and the Expos are in.

1974 Topps #368 - Manny Mota

Manny Mota played for a few different franchises in the 1960s before catching on with the Dodgers in 1969.  He'd play for Los Angeles through 1980, and then coached with the franchise all the way until 2013, one of the longest coaching stints anyone has enjoyed with a single team to date.  Manny was coming off his lone All-Star season in 1973 here, and as my first #368 buyback he makes the binder.

1974 Topps #439 - Norm Miller

Next up, outfielder Norm Miller of the Braves.  '74 was the final season of Norm's mediocre career, as a nagging back injury forced him from the game at age 28.  At least he bothered to smile for the camera.  This is not my first #439 buyback...

...as this '75 Ed Brinkman is already sitting snugly in the binder.

Generally speaking, '75s trump '74s for me, and besides the background on the Brinkman card is far more interesting.

1970 Topps #323 - Wayne Comer

Here's the last card of the day; I tend to do these in batches of ten but had only nine '74s, so Wayne Comer is the odd man out.  I'm always excited to land a new Pilots buyback, I have precious few of them and I'm a huge fan of the short-lived franchise.

Wayne Comer won a World Series with the Tigers in 1968 (including a pinch-hit in game 5!) after being called up earlier in the year as a spare outfielder when Al Kaline fractured his arm.  He caught on full-time with the Pilots in 1969, and actually led the team in runs scored that year.  While all of that is interesting enough, I'm more intrigued by the large, grassy hill behind Wayne in the photo here.

This '78 Jim Fregosi was slid into slot 323 only recently...

...and his time in the binder was short-lived for sure.

That's a wrap for today, just a couple more posts and I'll be crossing the 500 total buybacks threshold here!

Franken-set Progress:  344/792 (43%)
"Rejected" Buybacks:  133
Total Buybacks in Collection:  477