Backside Appreciation Part 7

During my collection organization, I've come across cards where the often under appreciated backside outshines the front. With this running series, I hope to right some of these injustices.

The above is my standard intro for this series but I'm not sure it applies today. The front of this card is fantastic. In fact, it will be featured on my other blog this evening when two Cubs face off. Cheap plug, I know, but check it out!

But this back is pretty solid as well. If the photo was on the front of the card, it would still be one of the top cards from the set.

1992 Upper Deck #373 Rick Wilkins

In 1991, when this photo was taken, Rick Wilkins was a rookie who split time with four other catchers (Hector Villanueva, Joe Girardi, Damon Berryhill and Erik Pappas). Here, we seeing Wilkins signing some autographs before a home game. The crop is a little on the tight side but the photo selection is perfect for the allotted space.

I also love the rolled up sleeves on the jean jacket of the guy in the background. Classic.

Backside Appreciation Part 6

During my collection organization, I've come across cards where the often under appreciated backside outshines the front. With this running series, I hope to right some of these injustices.

Today's card comes out of 1992 Upper Deck in the form of #617 Chico Walker.

While there's nothing particularly wrong with the front, there's nothing exceptional about it either. It's a standard follow through on a swing. If I was breaking it down and grading it it probably wouldn't get higher than a C+ or B-. My Cubs bias would more than likely keep it out of C territory. We get a cameo from, I think, Shawon Dunston in the on deck circle but the cropping is too tight on three of the four sides. There's a few bonus points for wearing a hat under the helmet like I did back in the day. We get a glimpse of stirrups but the pant legs aren't up enough to get any old school cred.

Since this is backside appreciation, this card doesn't have to try very hard to beat out that fairly average front side.

And I think it delivers. Sure, it's your standard Upper Deck back with a swinging batter, but look at that bat! It seems that nobody told Chico Walker that he was in the pros now and didn't need to keep using a stickball bat.

Yes, I understand that Walker isn't using an actual stickball bat and that it is an optical illusion from the angle of the photographer and speed of the swing yada yada, but it still made me do a double take when sorting through the cards. I haven't really thought about stickball in close to twenty years, but apparently it is still a thing and the bats are available for sale. And for me, that quick trip down memory lane is good enough to earn the card some backside appreciation.