90's Box Breaks

Well, the BGS order arrived this morning. While I’m not happy about the grade on centering, I can say that I have this card in my collection.

1992 Bowman Mariano Rivera RC #302

When I decided to start collecting mainly Alex Rodriguez from his Mariner days, I didn’t give much thought to any of his rookies, nor any insert sets from his rookie year.  Back in the 90′s when I was collecting, I didn’t bother looking at his rookies, mainly due to the price.  Back then, his rookie were selling for full book on ebay, as well as at local card shops.

Rodriguez was included in a very unique insert set from 1994 Leaf Limited called Rookie Phenoms.

This 10-card standard-size set was randomly inserted in Leaf Limited Rookies packs at a rate of approximately of one in twelve. This set showcases top 1994 rookies especially Alex Rodriguez. The fronts are designed much like the Limited Rookies basic set cards except the card is comprised of gold foil instead of silver on the front. Gold backs are also virtually identical to the Limited Rookies in terms of content and layout. The cards are individually numbered on back out of 5,000. The Rodriguez card, primarily because of it’s status as one of A-Rod’s earliest serial-numbered MLB-liscensed issues (coupled with high-end production qualities and a known print run) has become one of the more desirable cards issued in the 1990′s. Collectors should take caution of trimmed copies when purchasing this card in “raw” form.

These were inserted at 1:12 packs which is 2 per box.  While this might not seem very impressive, having a card of a rookie that has a stated print run on the card made this set extremely valuable.  Other than the Elite inserts from Donruss, these were some of the first serial #d cards of the 90′s.

This card arrived today and it’s a monumental achievement towards my Rodriguez collection.  Finally getting to see one in person makes me even more excited that I am fortunate enough to own it.

1994 Leaf Limited Rookie Phenoms Front

1994 Leaf Limited Rookie Phenoms Back

This is Tim writing.

I have 2 breaks to get reviewed still by me but I thought I’d toss up a question for readers and see what they think. For the most part, I’ve reviewed boxes that have included inserts and parallels, and not really a box that was just base (1991 Topps). So, feel free to leave a comment with what you would like to see reviewed and we’ll see what we can do.

Price: $30
Packs: 18, 3 cards per pack
Cards for Base Set: 30 out of 360 (Not the radiance or spectrum parallel versions)
Duplicates: 1 Regular Base version and 1 Radiance version
Rating: 3/5

in 1998, Upper Deck decided to change up the design of SPX dramatically, from the die-cut versions from 1996 & 1997, to this design, which features an embossed logo describing the subset each card belongs to.  There are also 3 versions of each card which include the basic bronze colored card, which are the highest #d of the 3 versions.  The next level is the Radiance versions, which feature gold embossed logos and #d to half of the bronze versions.  Lastly, the Spectrum version features a platinum colored logo and is #d to half of the Radiance versions.  Below are the 3 Versions of the highest numbered cards within the Series 2 set.

Out of this box came 20 Bronze versions, 10 Radiance, and 5 Spectrum.

The Bronze are serial #d to 9000, while the Radiance is to 4500, and the Spectrum to 2250.

1998 SPX Finite Bronze

1998 SPX Finite Radiance

1998 SPX Finite Spectrum

There are also 3 different subsets within 98 SPX Finite series 2.  One of them being the Youth Movement set.  This 30 card subset features such rookie cards as Mike Lowell, Kevin Millwood and, the card I wanted desperately when I was collecting, which I scanned below.  Just like the base versions, every subset has a radiance and spectrum parallel versions, which are #d to 5000, 2500, and 1250. I pulled 3 Bronze, 2 Radiance, and 1 Spectrum.  The Bronze have a green background, while the Radiance are blue, and the Spectrum are a reflective purple.

1998 SPX Finite Youth Movement Bronze

Another nice looking subset is the Power Passion set.  These are actually very interested cards as they feature a specific stat about the player, along with the stat being on front of the card.  For instance, the Randy Johnson card below has the 2000 strikeout stat on it.  On the back, Randy’s strikeout total from the Mariners is displayed within his stats from the previous 5 seasons.  Another that stood out was Jeff Bagwell’s PP card, which states 40/30 on it.  When you look at Bagwell, you would never expect him to steal 30 bases at any point in his career, but it clearly states that he had a 40/30 year in 1997.  One drawback to this subset is the cut of the card is quite bad as half of them had 1/4 of the name cut off.  The Curt Shilling was significantly cut larger than the other 8 that came out of the box.

The Bronze are #d to 7000, while the Radiance are 3500, along with the Spectrum at 1750.

1998 SPX Finite Power Passion Radiance

I managed to pull just two of the more unique subsets out of 98 SPX Finite, which are the Trade Winds set.  These are very nice as they feature a full color of the player in their 1998 Teams Jersey, along with a faded picture in the top left of the player on their previous team.  Wade Boggs’ card for instance, features him in his Tampa Bay Devil Rays uniform, while the smaller picture is of him in his Yankees jersey.

The Bronze are #d to 4000, while the Radiance are 2000, along with the Spectrum at 1000.

1998 SPX Finite Trade Winds Radiance

The final sub set you can get out of SPX Finite series 2 box is the Cornerstones of the Game set.  I was fortunate enough to get 1 and it was of the Ironman.  This subset features only the top players in the game and are serial #d lower than any subset.

The Bronze are #d to 2000, while the Radiance are 1000, along with the Spectrum at 500.

1998 SPX Finite Cornerstones of the Game Bronze

Overall I had a great time opening this product.  There are some issues with fingerprints ( as you can tell), and the way the cards were cut makes this set extremely hard to find in perfect condition.  However, finding a set that is made up completely of serial #d cards was rare in the 90′s, although not unheard of.  I give Upper Deck a lot of credit for creating such a unique set.  Set builders would have to find cases of this and Series 1 to have a shot at getting the entire bronze set.  If you’re like me and enjoy #d cards from the 90′s, then by all means pick up a box and enjoy. 3/5

-Matt

Price: $30
Packs: 18
Cards for Base Veterans Set: 42 of 90 46%
Cards for Prospects Set: 10 of 30 30%
Duplicates: 1
Rating: 4.5/5

My second box of Fleer’s 1999 E-X Century arrived today from the Baseball card exchange, and again, I enjoyed the break very much.  Since I posted my review of the first E-X Century box, I did some research on other people who have opened a box of this 90′s product and I feel that I’ve done very well considering the low number of inserts and parallels.  This box turned out just as good as the last.  I am trying to complete to 120 card set and so far through 2 boxes from 2 different sellers, I have 66 of the 90 Base Veterans and 18 of the 30 Prospect SP’s.

I decided to post a picture of Magglio’s base card becuase I was just about to collect him until I got out of the hobby in 2000.  He was a fantastic player and one of the few players from this set who are still playing, and playing well.  Although he has had a huge impact with the Detroit Tigers, his career took off in Chicago.

1999 E-X Century Base

The only duplicate I received was of Derrick Gibson, a prospect of the Rockies at the time.  Of all the prospect cards I have out of the 2 boxes, very few made a career in the big leagues, let alone continue to play today.  Being a Mariners fan, I chose to scan the Branyon becuase he helped the M’s have one of the better seasons in recent memory, and had he been resigned this year before being traded for, the Mariners might have had the pop they needed in the lineup.  At the time that this set was released, he was trying to get consistent playing time in an Indians lineup that featured some great Outfielders.  When he did play, he struck out a lot, but he also could hit the ball a mile.

1999 E-X Century Prospect SP

As with the last box, I got one of the E-X-quisite inserts which fall at 1:18 packs, or one per box.  I honestly have no idea who Roosevelt Brown is, or was, but he was on the cubs, so I’m sure he was well known at the time.  One player who got most of the hype was Corey Patterson.  When I was collecting in 1999, I remember his cards were filling the Beckett top 20 consistently.

The text on the back of these inserts might be some of the “best” I’ve ever read.  the card reads, “Yo, R.B. … There ain’t no stoppin’ your smooth style. Cause your flauntin’ straight skills all the while. We’re predictin’ you for a career that’s long, with a game that’s strong. Man, we respect it … and for those who don’t they’d better check it … ’cause you’re about to flex it”

I may have to collect this set just to get the opportunity to read and post all 15 card backs.

1999 E-X Century E-X-quisite

In my last box I also got a Favorites for Fenway 99′ insert that falls 1:36 packs or 1 every other box.  What makes it even sweater is that it’s of a player I collect, and I couldn’t find the card anywhere for sale.  Looks like I wont need to worry about it now.  I’ve included a scan of the back as well.  Scans do not show off how great these cards look.

1999 E-X Century Favorites for Fenway 99' Front

1999 E-X Century Favorites for Fenway 99' Back

While I was reading some other 1999 E-X Century Box reviews I noticed that most people weren’t getting a Credentials insert.  Although I didn’t pull the best player, he is still bouncing around the majors and had a memorable season with the Marlins in 1999 when he made the All-Star team and in 2003 when the Marlins won the World Series.

1999 E-X Century Credentials Now 27/72

I gave this box a 4.5/5 becuase I am starting to realize how fortunate I’ve been to pull two Credential #d parallels in 2 boxes along with an insert of Griffey Jr.  Look for 2 more boxes to be reviewed sometime at the end of next week as I have 2 on hold for me.  Hopefully I’ll be able to get the complete set done by then.

-Matt