1973 Frankenset

 

When I first added a "frankenset" tab to my blog over a year ago, I didn't give the project much thought. At the time, I was pouring way too much time and money into finding perfectly centered cards for my '73 Topps set. After seeing so many "centering disasters," I decided to lean into the chaos and launch a "best of the worst" set instead. Now, the time has finally come to make it happen.  I mentioned this recently in a prior post and Bo of Baseball Cards Come to Life! fame has added to the fun with a stack of cards.

He sent me not one, not two, but three envelopes containing over 50 off centered beauties!

Let's take a look at a few awesome cards.

Look at Mac Scarce there.  Centering front and back is just a bit off.  This is what I'm talking about when it comes to '73.

When I first saw the front of this card I almost rejected it for this set build.  Look at that, the centering is too good!  But alas, we cannot ignore the back of the card.  That's more like it.

Now this is good!  Leroy Stanton deserved better from Topps but it's a perfect card for this set.

This is a beauty of a Boog!  Again the front is almost too good.  The back is awesomely off centered.

I had a Perry on order but Bo also included one in this cache of cards.  These are very suitable for this set chase so I'll keep both.  You're seeing a part of Brock Davis' card in the upper photo.

Tom Matchick had an up and down career.  But he can be proud to be included in this set build.

Bill Buckner's centering is something Topps can be proud of.

Maybe Fran Healy and Buckner were cut from the same sheet?

Not only off centered, but Dave Duncan is partially diamond cut.

Tiant had the bottom cut out from under him.

Not only is Don Money off centered but check out that air brushing!  I think the pinstripes were also airbrushed (he was traded from the Phillies).

Clarence Gaston got the diamond treatment.

Milt Wilcox makes for a perfect addition to this set.

I was browsing online when I saw this awesome Nolan Ryan.  And we get part of Tommy John's card at the bottom. 

If you want to view the progress of the "best worst" 1973 set chase, check it out HERE.  I have updated the page to include both the front and back of the cards so we can better appreciate all of these miscuts.

Bo has my scanner working overtime, and I'll be updating the page over the next few days.   Thank you Bo!  I appreciate all of this off centered goodness.

Since I’m just doing this for fun, I’m clearly not picky about condition. If you want to join the chaos and have a card to contribute—or one that’s even worse than what I’ve got—feel free to reach out. I’m always looking for my next "downgrade." 👍