Sunday, May 4, 2014

The dime box frankenset, Page 22: Numbers 190-198


This time of year is like the calm before the storm.

We were already bombarded with noteworthy releases like Series 1 and Heritage during the past couple months. With also-rans like Gypsy Queen, Bowman, and Archives starting to hit the shelves, though, I can't say I've had much interest in going to my local Target lately.

Still, we'll have Series 2 and A&G on our hands before we know it.

In the meantime, I can always enjoy building my beloved frankenset.

Here's another page full of great nominees.

Completion status: 9/9...completed page!

Numbers needed: None.




The card: 2013 Topps #190 Daniel Descalso

Why it made the cut...

This perfectly framed shot was one of the more notable cards of 2013.

I don't have enough evidence to officially deem it as a "double dip", but I'm led to believe Mr. Descalso was in the midst of turning a double play here.

I can't think of many other situations that would explain such a leap.




The card: 1999 Stadium Club #191 Omar Daal

Why it made the cut...

I absolutely love these bird's-eye view pitching shots.

Whoever came up with the idea for these is a pure genius.




The card: 2012 Topps Chrome #192 Kirk Nieuwenhuis

Why it made the cut...

Topps Chrome is usually an unremarkable product.

Many are basically chrome-laden reprints from Series 1 and Series 2.

Someone at Topps must like Kirk Nieuwenhuis, though. This spectacular "at the wall" shot is pretty much as good as it gets.

Unfortunately, it's the exception to the norm when it comes to Topps Chrome.




The card: 1991 Topps #193 Felix Fermin

Why it made the cut...

Double dip!

Note the Steve Finley cameo.




The card: 1993 Upper Deck #194 Omar Olivares

Why it made the cut...

People love sending me this card.

I've probably received about a half-dozen copies of it through trade packages during my time around here. It's a perfect fit for my collection.

For one thing, it's a "pitcher at the plate". Better yet, it features one of the funnier shots you'll ever see on a baseball card. Hitting ineptitude at its finest.

It was surprising to learn that Olivares actually swung a decent stick. He hit .240 during his 12-year career.

Who knew?




The card: 1995 Pinnacle #195 Ray Lankford

Why it made the cut...

Autograph shot!

I'm especially fond of this one because it features an angle you don't often see on these things.




The card: 1995 Upper Deck Minors #196 Jayson Peterson

Why it made the cut...

I've come to adopt the term "sunset card" to mean the final issue of a player's career.

This, however, is a literal sunset card. And quite a beautiful one, at that.

I hope whoever took this shot stayed on Upper Deck's payroll for a long, long time.




The card: 1995 Collector's Choice Special Edition #197 Jose Rijo

Why it made the cut...

I'm convinced that Jose Rijo had more fun than any player in baseball history.

Card companies managed to capture his love for the game in a number of different ways.




The card: 1994 Upper Deck #198 Carlos Garcia

Why it made the cut...

To not have this one make the frankenset binder would've been a tragedy.

There's just so much to love about it. The great action shot, the cloud of dust, the rather unfortunate location of Carlos Garcia's head. Not to mention his equally disgusted reaction.

It's nice to know that Upper Deck had a sense of humor with their photo selection.

1 comment:

Ana Lu said...

Right now I'm hitting my head on the wall because I don't have that simply gorgeous Carlos Garcia card!