Frankenset Redux, Page 9: Numbers 73-81

(My busy Saturday didn't leave any time for blogging, so here's a frankenset post that you'll likely be reading while I'm fighting the doldrums at work here on Sunday.)

Page #9 (Numbers 73-81):

Completion Status: 9/9

Numbers Needed: None.

The Players

1994 Topps #73 Billy Spiers

The rare fauxback/double dip combo. 

2011 Topps Update #US-74 Henry Blanco

A true piece of cardboard art.

1992 Donruss Triple Play #75 Felix Jose

That eyeblack isn't going to apply itself. 

2004 Upper Deck #76 Jay Gibbons

The only thing better than a throwback is a throwback to a defunct team, as we have here with the Orioles honoring their St. Louis Browns heritage.

1986 Fleer Star Stickers #77 Donnie Moore

Another rare mini-collection combo, this time with a speech/award pairing. 

2014 Gypsy Queen #78 Marcus Semien

Throwing it back to the days of the beer-league Sox uniforms.

2009 Topps Update #UH-79 Robert Andino

Safe! 

2013 Topps Pro Debut #80 Rock Shoulders

Rock Shoulders? 

1962 Post #81 Ryne Duren

Long live Coke-bottle shades! Long live Ryne Duren!

Stats

Cards By Decade:

1960's -- 1 (Running total: 1)

1980's -- 1 (Running total: 7)

1990's -- 2 (Running total: 42)

2000's -- 2 (Running total: 6)

2010's -- 3 (Running total: 18)

Mini-collection Hits:

Throwbacks -- 3 (Running total: 9)

Plays at the Plate -- 2 (Running total: 5)

Double Dips -- 1 (Running total: 15)

Interviews/Speeches -- 1 (Running total: 2)

Award Show -- 1 (Running total: 2)

Best Cameo

Not many notable cameos this week, so I'm forced to go with perhaps the most disgraced member of the steroid era: Rafael Palmeiro, seen here sliding into second.

This Magic Moment

Henry Blanco only appeared in two of the three games the D'Backs played against the Reds in 2011, and since one of those was as a late-inning replacement where he saw little action, it's a good bet that this particular shot comes from the D'Backs-Reds contest on April 10, 2011.

The way Blanco is positioning himself leads me to believe that we're seeing a forceout at home here, and if that's the case, then this bird's-eye shot was likely snapped in the top of the 3rd inning of that contest when Edgar Renteria was forced at home on an infield grounder by Cincinnati pitcher Mike Leake.

Though this run was quickly cut down, not many others were that afternoon --  the D'Backs rode a late-game rally to win what turned out to be a 10-8 slugfest.

Kick Out the Jams

The movement you need is on your (Rock) shoulder(s)

Lessons in Card Backs

I've seen Rougned Odor on enough highlight films to confirm his existence, but I refuse to believe someone named Caleb Bushyhead once played professional baseball (though I'd tend to agree that Rock Shoulders is still a better name).

Best of the Rest

1998 Fleer Tradition #74 Jorge Fabregas

A seemingly innocuous action shot...until you notice the plastic bag hovering at Fabregas's feet -- a sight which continues to fascinate me even after dozens and dozes of viewings of this particular card.

Come on, people: recycle!

Toughest Draw

1966 Topps #74 Don Mossi

Though the Blanco comes pretty darn close, it'd take something like Herculean heroics to knock Don Mossi out of my Inaugural Frankenset (you can probably tell why).

Second Guessing

1995 Topps Cyberstats #80 Brent Gates

I love me some clairvoyant '90s technology -- the backs of '95 Topps Cyberstats cards use computer projections to predict full-season stats in an attempt to dull the blow of the '94 strike -- but the more I think about it, the more I think I wronged Rock Shoulders.

Favorite Card

Even with the appearance of Ryne Duren and his Coke-bottle shades on a vintage Post oddball, it's still an easy pick for me this week: Henry Blanco takes the crown.

I don't think I'm exaggerating in saying that it's one of the more breathtaking cards of this decade, what with the shadows and cleated footprints acting as brushstrokes atop the canvas of home plate.

That's another frankenset page in the books.

Thanks for reading!