Frankenset Page #65

Hopefully, I'll be able to get back into the habit of posting regularly over the weekend, since I've missed a few more posts than I would've liked so far this month. Thankfully, I have the reoccurring frankenset series that I can always count on when I need ideas.

This page, #65 in the binder of 74, showcases cards #577-585 and covers 3 decades of MLB history (the 1980s, 2000s, and 2010s). 

#577 1989 Fleer David Palmer

In addition to the mediocrity of the Boston Red Sox, one of the biggest shocks of the 2019 MLB season was how disappointing the Philadelphia Phillies were.

Despite having Bryce Harper, Rhys Hoskins, Jean Segura, Andrew McCutchen (though he got injured), and J.T. Realmuto, they were eliminated from playoff contention by the Nationals, who clinched a Wild Card spot earlier this week.

If nothing else, at least Harper has 12 more chances to make the playoffs in Philadelphia.

#578 2015 Topps Ender Inciarte

One of the more underrated players on a formidable Braves team, Ender Inciarte arrived in Atlanta via the Arizona Diamondbacks as a part of the Dansby Swanson trade back in December of 2015. 

A career .286 hitter with 113 stolen bases, Inciarte has won a Gold Glove award in each of his seasons so far with the Braves (2016-2018). He's been limited to just 200 at-bats this year, so I don't believe he'll continue this streak.

#579 1988 Donruss Gary Lucas

After 1985, the quality of the Donruss base sets deteriorated as the "junk wax era" commenced. Though the '86 and '87 designs were average, 1988 Donruss is one of the most uninspired and bland sets of that era.

I suppose I chose this card because of the California Angels uniform because I don't know how else '88 Donruss would make it to my frankenset.

#580 2007 Topps Garret Anderson

Given how today's game has become centered around the home run, it seems like we're seeing fewer and fewer highlight reels of catches like the one on Garret Anderson's 2007 Topps card. There's less of an emphasis on defense, contact hitting, and almost every other stat category in favor of homers.

With that being said, I'm buying into this craze a little, and I'll be keeping an eye on Pete Alonso this weekend to see if he breaks Judge's single-season rookie home run record.

#581 2009 Upper Deck Alexei Ramirez

Speaking of highlight reels, I always remember, for some reason, seeing White Sox infielder Alexei Ramirez make the SportsCenter top 10 plays list on a semi-regular basis. 

A career .270 hitter, Ramirez enjoyed success during his time in Chicago, including a 2008 AL Rookie of the Year runner-up campaign when he was beaten out by Evan Longoria.

#582 1983 Topps Marshall Edwards

There have been plenty of 1983 Topps cards across my 65 frankenset pages thus far to the extent that anything I say about the set will likely be repetitive. So, I'll just reiterate how much I love these cards and move on.

#583 2016 Topps Didi Gregorius

As impressive as the Houston Astros are and as consistent as the Minnesota Twins have been, the New York Yankees should be the most feared team going into the postseason. 

After all, they're 102-56, and that's with Gio Urshela and Brian Tauchman starting far more frequently than superstars Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge, and Didi Gregorius. 

I could dedicate a whole post to how many challenges this team has overcome, but, for now, I'll just wish the best of luck to whoever crosses their path in October.

#584 1983 Fleer Johnny Bench

I'm not sure how this Johnny Bench card ended up in the frankenset instead of the Bench PC, but I'm even more surprised to see 3rd base listed as his position on this 1983 Fleer card. 

I knew that Bench played other positions throughout his 17-year career, but I always assumed that catcher would be listed above all others.

#585 1984 Topps Dan Driessen

By the mid-1980s, few members of the Big Red Machine that won 2 World Championships in the 1970s remained in Cincinnati. Bench and Dan Driessen were among the players who stuck with the Reds, even after Joe Morgan, Pete Rose, and Tony Perez all moved on.

Top 5 Cards; Starlin Castro

At one point, Starlin Castro seemed like the franchise player of the Chicago Cubs for years to come. The 4-time All-Star had a fabulous rookie season in 2010 when he hit .300 and drove in 41 runs.

Over the next 5 years in Chicago, he came within 9 hits of reaching the 1,000 hit mark while achieving a respectable .281.

Following the Cubs' turnaround season in 2015 that saw them make the playoffs, Castro was traded to the New York Yankees for Adam Warren and a player to be named later. Though 2015 wasn't the greatest season in his relatively young career, the Cubs seemingly gave up on Castro in favor of their new rookie SS Addison Russell.

Castro spent 2 years with the Yankees. This included an All-Star 2017 season in which he helped lead New York to an ALCS appearance. However, for the 2nd time in his career, Castro was traded away from a team as soon as they made it back to the postseason.

This time, he was traded to the Miami Marlins in the Giancarlo Stanton deal. I've always believed he could have some success in Miami given how poor the rest of his team performs. He's hit .270 since joining the Marlins and got his 1,500th hit earlier this year.

At 29 years old, Castro could sneak his way into the 3,000 hit club if he stays healthy and productive. Given that the Marlins are a poor performing team, he doesn't have the added pressure of making the playoffs that existed in years past. All he really has to do is hit.

Still, I feel a little bad for the guy, so I've been picking up cards for the Castro PC at every chance. I've accumulated 56 cards of Castro, ranging from 2010-2019. Here are my 5 favorites.

#5 2011 Topps

Particularly during his time with the Chicago Cubs, Starlin Castro was known for his defensive abilities at shortstop. He may not have won any Gold Glove awards, but Castro played a spectacular SS, something that was immortalized on cardboard many times.

One of the cards that sheds light on Castro's defensive capabilities is his 2011 Topps Flagship card. With Wrigley Field's classic ivy in the background, he's making a phenomenal play at SS, leaping over the Reds' Miguel Castro, presumably to throw the ball to 1st base.

#4 2013 Topps Gypsy Queen Green Mini Parallel

I'm rarely nostalgic for the Topps Gypsy Queen minis and parallels, for they never stood out in comparison to the Allen & Ginter minis. With that being said, there are a handful of these cards in my collection that I cherish, one of them being this green parallel from 2013 GQ.

I'm indifferent towards the image on the front of this card; it's neither stellar nor lackluster. Rather, it's the full-bleed green on the front and back that sets this parallel apart from most other Gypsy Queen minis. 

The blurb about Castro on the back of this card highlights just how special of a player he was throughout his time with the Cubs. I've always been a huge fan of his and would like nothing better than to see him put up similar numbers in Miami.

#3 2012 Topps Gypsy Queen

If we're talking Chicago Cubs cards, you can never go wrong with the classic home uniform, especially with a beautiful shot of Wrigley Field's ivy or brick in the background. This card does exactly that while making fabulous use of the gorgeous 2012 Topps Gypsy Queen design.

The image is practically perfect for the 2012 GQ design. Better yet, every element of this card works beautifully with one another, resulting in a card that's so classic looking despite being only 7 years old.

#2 2014 Topps Stadium Club

Okay, there might be one Cubs uniform that looks even better than the traditional home jerseys. I'm not sure what this throwback uni is paying homage to, but I'm thrilled that Topps captured this stunning photo for the 2014 Stadium Club set.

Just like the 2012 Gypsy Queen base card, Castro's 2014 Stadium Club card combines a terrific uniform with Wrigley Field's ivy. With that being said, there are a couple things that I could do without.

The umpire doesn't really look like he belongs on this card, nor does the Under Armour advertisement in the background. Despite how unique this card is, it's evident that Stadium Club has become a more polished set over the last few years.

#1 2014 Topps Gypsy Queen Black Mini Parallel

Castro's 2014 Topps Gypsy Queen black mini parallel takes everything that I love about the green mini at #3 and ups the ante. The black fits perfectly with the Gypsy Queen set design, especially on the back of the card where black and white are the only colors present. You almost get a spooky feeling just looking at this card.

Furthermore, the photo on Castro's '14 GQ card is miles better (and clearer) than his 2013 mini. The action shot of the former Chicago Cub at the plate is something we don't usually see on his cards, but I appreciate that Topps included something a little outside the box.

Notice how this entire list featured cards of Castro on the Cubs and that the Yankees and Marlins were left out entirely. Starlin just hasn't had the same energy about him since he was traded away from Chicago, even though he's had respectable seasons with New York and Miami.

I really hope that he gets back on track to where he was earlier in his career and becomes a star once again for the Marlins. He's stuck on one of the worst teams in Baseball after being on 2 up and coming clubs, so he deserves all the success that he gets.