Buyback Franken-set: 1990 Topps Completes a Page!

Let's mix things up and do an all-1990 Topps buyback post this time.  I've got nine from this set to review in order to determine whether they make my Buyback Franken-set, or are instead shifted over to my dedicated 1990 Topps buyback set.  Let's see who makes the cut...

1990 Topps #431 - Randy Johnson

Leading off with the best card in today's post, we've got 5-time Cy Young Award winner and HOFer Randy Johnson!  This one has to make the franken-set, right?  Not so fast! 

1990 was only Randy's second full season in Major League Baseball, and though he was named an All-Star for the first time and finished with a respectable 14 wins and sub-4.00 ERA, Johnson hadn't established himself as a superstar just yet.  He led the league with 120 walks, and had a strikeout to walk ratio of just 1.62.  Also, his famed mullet is looking relatively tame on this particular card.

On top of that, this fantastic Gerry Moses card resides in slot 431 of the binder already.  There's no question that Gerry Moses was nowhere near the player that Randy Johnson was, but as far as cardboard is concerned this is a far superior card.

Johnson goes down!

1990 Topps #783 - Checklist

Yay, a checklist card.  While I wouldn't mind having a checklist or two in the franken-set, I'd prefer something more interesting than this.  Even an unabashed lover of 1990 Topps such as myself has to admit that checklists were not the set's strong suit.  As it stands though, this one is going into the franken-set binder, as it's my very first #783 buyback.

1990 Topps #123 - Rich Gedman

A much better looking '90 Topps card here.  Gedman, who was on the back nine of his career by the time 1990 rolled around, appeared in just 50 games that season and swatted a lean .202.  I don't mind, I always appreciate a new Red Sox buyback.  Even better, 123 is a number I was missing from the franken-set previously, so into the binder Rich goes.

His card completes a page as well!  Here's a look at the current occupants of slots 118-126.  HOFer Rod Carew in the upper right is undoubtedly the star of this page, but don't overlook the great combo card next to him, or that nice '78 George Scott in the lower middle.

1990 Topps #116 - Floyd Bannister

Floyd Bannister actually didn't pitch with the Royals, or any MLB team for that matter, in 1990.  A free agent coming out of the 1989 season, he didn't find himself with any potential suitors heading into 1990 and ended up playing in Japan for that one year.  He'd return to Major League Baseball for the 1991 and 1992 seasons before retiring.

Already had this '87 Bill Russell in slot 116...

...and I'm not bumping that one for Floyd.

1990 Topps #428 - Steve Davis

Interestingly, here's another pitcher who didn't pitch in MLB in 1990.  His 12 games with the Indians in 1989 were the last of his career, which is understandable given that he finished with an ERA on the wrong side of 8.00.

Craig Reynolds resides in slot 428 of the binder already...

...and there he will stay, as he defeats Steve Davis in a battle of the duds.

1990 Topps #203 - Mike Roesler

If you don't recognize Mike Roesler don't be too hard on yourself.  He pitched just 5 games out of the bullpen for the Reds in 1990, the final 5 games of his pro career.  Would that have been enough to get him a World Series ring?

Not sure, but it's certainly not enough for him to supplant the J.R. Richard Record Breaker buyback that's blocking his path to the franken-set.

Roesler moves over to the 1990 Topps buyback binder.

1990 Topps #605 - Mike Scioscia

Here's longtime catcher and manager Mike Scioscia.  1990 was the second and final season that Mike was named an All-Star, so there's that.  Not a bad looking card either, all the colors match quite nicely which is not a guarantee by any means with 1990 Topps.

It's a battle of the Dodgers, and a battle of All-Star Dodgers no less, for slot 605, as this Rick Monday is already resident in slot 605.

I'm sticking with the '79.

1990 Topps #604 - Ron Robinson

Ron Robinson pitched in 6 games for Cincinnati in 1990 before he was dealt to the Brewers.  Again I find myself asking, is that enough to qualify for a ring?  I like this one because you don't see many old-school metal chain link fences on baseball cards these days.

Kind of another battle of the duds here, with Chris Bando taking on Ron Robinson.  With no offense to either individual, this might be a low point of this buyback project so far, haha!

I'll just make the easy call here and use this one for my 1990 Topps project.

1990 Topps #699 - Jim Leyland

Closing things out this evening we've got one of the more recognizable managers in baseball history, Jim Leyland.  Jim led the Pirates to a division title in 1990 with 95 wins, but they lost their opening round playoff series.  In the end, Leyland would win over 1,700 games as a manager over the course or 22 seasons.  Not a bad resume whatsoever.

That's a wrap for this evening, but I got some nice additions to both buyback projects out of this grouping.  In fact, I now have an even 100 cards in my 1990 Topps buyback set, which feels pretty significant.  Now it's time to sit back, crack a couple brews, and enjoy Red Sox/Yankees post-season baseball.  Thanks for visiting!

Franken-set Progress: 629/792 (79%)
1990 Topps Buyback Set: 100/792 (12%)
"Rejected" Buybacks: 500
Total Buybacks in Collection: 1,229