Frankenset Page 14

I realize I did a frankenset post just under a week ago, but I'd like to take this post to talk about the AL and NL All-Stars which were announced Sunday night. More than any other year I can remember, 2018 is the year of the first-time All-Star. In fact, there are 26 All-Stars making their first-ever appearance in the Midsummer Classic including 3 in the NL starting lineup (Contreras, Baez, and Markakis.)

I'm very pleased to see certain underrated players such as Scooter Gennett, Wilson Ramos, Mitch Haniger, and Eugenio Suarez get the recognition they deserve. While Ramos got the AL starting catcher spot due to the fans (something I'm very happy about) Gennett and Suarez didn't have tons of fan support to rely on due to playing for the Reds which is why I'm glad that the players themselves play a big role in deciding the reserves.

The Red Sox were heavily represented with Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez, Chris Sale, Craig Kimbrel, and even 1st baseman Mitch Moreland who has certainly risen to the occasion since they DFA-d Hanley Ramirez back in May. The Sox also have a chance for 1 more depending on how the final vote goes for Andrew Benintendi who was 2nd to Jean Segura as of yesterday.

Of course, there's still much more to talk about regarding the All-Stars, but for now, here is the 14th page of my frankenset, consisting of cards 118-126.

#118 1970 Topps George Mitterwald

I can't help myself from wondering why Mitterwald's glove looks so huge on this card. I know catcher's gloves are larger than a fielders glove, but this seems a bit excessive. Even with the unusually-large glove, the 1970 Topps George Mitterwald card is one of my favorites from the classic 1970 set.

#119 2002 Topps Gallery Adrian Beltre

I must say that out of all the Topps Gallery sets, 2002 is one of my least favorite ones. I can see how they tried to be very minimal just like 2017 Gallery, but the art isn't bold enough to back it up, making the cards appear unfinished and slightly messy.

#120 2007 Bowman Heritage Jorge Posada

On the contrary, the 2007 Bowman Heritage set is easily my favorite set in the brand's abbreviated history. The shots of Yankees in the old Yankee Stadium are some of my favorites in the set, and there are more of them than you'd think. In terms of the fake signatures which I typically dislike, I can actually say that they work fairly well here though I'm still not too crazy about them.

#121 1993 Ted Williams Set

If Ted Williams isn't the greatest overall hitter in baseball history than the greatest one is standing directly next to him in this card. I don't think I've seen any other cards or photos for that matter, that show The Sultan of Swat next to Teddy Ballgame. It reminds me of the 1962 Topps Manager's Dream card of Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle if anyone knows what I'm talking about.

#122 2005 Bowman Draft Fausto Carmona

The Dominican Republic World Baseball Classic jersey was what attracted me to this card in the first place and caused me to put it in the set. I also don't mind the Indians cap and the Bowman set isn't all that bad, but the WBC jersey is so unique and special that I didn't really have to pay attention to anything else before choosing this card for the set.

#123 1988 Fleer Star Stickers Tony Gwynn

As soon as I saw all the different-colored stars on the grey border surrounding this card, I instantly wondered why, to my knowledge, I only have 1 card from the 1988 Fleer Star Sticker set. As if all the other perks of the card were not enough, it's also a sticker! I have some cards from other year's of the brand including a ton from 1981, but the 1988 set is one I'll have to check out sometime.

#124 2012 Topps Gypsy Queen Dee Gordon

Despite doing a stellar job taking over for Robinson Cano after he was suspended for 80 games and declared ineligible for the playoffs, Mariners 2nd baseman and centerfielder Dee Gordon missed out on the 2018 All-Star game. He just stole his 300th career base and has a great batting average of .284, but the lack of RBI is likely what cost him a spot as well as the tough competition in the outfield and even at 2nd base in the American League.

#125 1995 Sportflix UC3 Frank Thomas

I distinctly remember either myself or my Dad purchasing nearly every single 3D card in our collection when we first started going to sports card shows. That is, except this Frank Thomas 3D card from the 1995 Sportflix UC3 set. I don't recall ever buying this card nor buying many 90's cards in my lifetime, so I guess I'll never know how, in fact, this awesome card came to be mine.

#126 2016 Topps Archives Yu Darvish

I hate to say it, but the Yu Darvish signing is beginning to look like one of Theo Epstein's worst decisions of his career, and he's made quite a few of them. Darvish has been injured for a while now and has spent at least 3 stints on the DL this year. Even worse for Darvish and the Cubs, Yu has a 4.95 ERA through 40 innings pitched this season. I really hope things get better for Darvish, even if the Cubs are forced to wait 'till next year. On the bright side, he can't get much worse.