MY ALBERT BELLE COLLECTION

Two reasons why I chose to pick up this cat as one of my collections - (1) Belle was from north Louisiana, an area I spent a lot of time in during my youth, + he played his college ball at LSU, which is not far from where I live today.

2nd, he was a pretty inexpensive collectible...due in no small part to being branded a player with an "attitude"...and he was a fun guy to watch as he launched his many moonshots.

IN THE BEGINNING:

Albert was a hitting machine, yes - but not without controversy, as his infamous corked-bat incident would show.

TOWARD THE END:

"I really don't get involved in perceptions. We're all different, and that's what makes it interesting. Being judged on the things beyond what you do as a baseball player-sometimes I don't think that's necessarily right. Maybe you don't have the full story. When I come out here, I look at Albert (Belle) as a teammate, I look at him as a baseball player. I look at how he comes to bat and how he approaches his job. He's someone you really appreciate when he's on your team. He's a fifty-homer guy, a one-hundred forty RBI guy. He wants to play every day. Who wouldn't want that? I have a lot of respect for him. Playing against him and watching how he goes about his job. I'm happy I'm his teammate." - Cal Ripken Jr., when asked about his new teammate in the March 8, 1999 issue of Sports Illustrated.

1 9 8 9

FLEER UPDATE:

# U-25

SCORE TRADED:

# 106-T

STAR MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL:

# 199 [Canton-Akron Indians]

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1 9 9 0

BIG LEAGUE ALL-STARS:

# MVP 10 of 10
INSIDE NOTE: Unsure of the company who made this card - Front has Belle's photo with MVP in a red & blue box at top right - "Joey Belle" and team name at bottom on blue background - Back has stats for 1989 season and "MVP # 10 of 10".

BOWMAN:

# 333

CLASSIC:

# 100

DONRUSS:

# 390

FLEER:

# 485
Canadian Parallel # 485

LEAF:

# 180

SCORE:

# 508

Rising Star # 9

Young Superstars # 3

SPORTFLICS:

# 159

STAR PROSPECTS SET:

# 4 of 20
I n s i d e * N o t e s: Unsure of who produced this card in late '89 or 1990 as there is no card company listed on the front or back - just the above description.

TOPPS:

# 283

1989 Major League Debut # 14

TOPPS - OPC STICKERS:

# 212 [with # 103 Bip Roberts & # 17 Kevin Mitchell]

TOPPS - TOYS R US:

Rookies # 3

UPPER DECK:

# 446

1 9 9 1

BOWMAN:

# 81

CLASSIC (Series 3):

# T-37 [Green]

FLEER - ULTRA:

# 107

FLEER UPDATE:

# U-16

LEAF:

# 239

O-PEE-CHEE PREMIER:

# 8

TOPPS - STADIUM CLUB:

# 465

UPPER DECK:

# 764

1 9 9 2

BASEBALL CARD PRICE GUIDE MONTHLY MAGAZINE:

# 2

BOWMAN:

# 329

CLASSIC COLLECTOR'S EDITION:

# 140

CLASSIC TRAVEL (Series 1):

# T-13

DENNY'S RESTAURANT:

Produced by Upper Deck and handed out one at a time at Denny's Restaurants with the purchase of a meal during their middle of the summer giveaway.

Grand Slam # 6 of 26

DONRUSS:

# 500

FLEER:

# 105

FLEER - ULTRA:

# 47

LEAF:

# 350

GOLD EDITION PARALLEL # 350

MOOTOWN SNACKERS:

Produced as 2-piece panels, there is a player card attached via perforations to an offer card for a complete set of these unusual cards advertising these cheese snacks.

# 1 of 24

O-PEE-CHEE PREMIER:

# 100

PANINI STICKERS:

# 51 (Guessing Game # 23 of 40 on reverse)

PINNACLE:

# 31

Team 2000 # 18 of 80

SCORE:

# 31

Superstars # 39

STUDIO:

# 164

TOPPS:

# 785

GOLD PARALLEL # 785

GOLD PARALLEL WINNER # 785

MICRO PARALLEL # 785
Sold only in complete set form, these 1" x 1 3/8" cards are about 40% smaller than the regular Topps set they parallel.

TOPPS - KIDS:

# 73

TOPPS - O-PEE-CHEE:

# 785

TOPPS - STADIUM CLUB:

# 220

TRIPLE PLAY:

# 103

UPPER DECK:

# 137

HOMERUN HEROES # HR 13 of 26

MVP HOLOGRAMS # 8 of 54

TED WILLIAMS BEST HITTERS OF THE FUTURE # T-13 of 20

1 9 9 3

BECKETT MAGAZINE:

September '93 Issue w/Belle on the back cover.

BOWMAN:

# 445

CLASSIC TRAVEL:

# T-12

DIAMOND MARKS:

Book Marker - Indians Set: Albert Belle

Inside Notes----While they look like baseball cards, and were sold in foil packs like baseball cards, Diamond Marks was licensed as book markers - Issued by Barry Colla Productions, these 2-1/2" x 5" cards featured "Team Sets", where certain stars were highlighted.

DONRUSS:

# 435

DIAMOND KINGS # DK-8 of 27
DIAMOND KINGS SUPERS # DK 8 of 27 - Numbered 05544/10,000

ELITE DOMINATORS # 17 of 20 - Numbered 4635/5000
Created as a premium to help move leftover boxes of '93 Donruss products on a home shopping network at $100 apiece.

LONG BALL LEADERS 1992 # LL-3 of 18

DONRUSS (Leaf) - TRIPLE PLAY:

# 94

DONRUSS - STUDIO:

# 95

FLEER:

# 590
# 712 (Round Trippers)

FLEER - FLAIR:

# 192

FLEER - FRUIT OF THE LOOM:

# 4 of 66 (Parallels Fleer # 712)

FLEER - ULTRA:

# 538

HOMERUN KINGS # 5 of 10

LEAF:

# 18
# 220 (Series-1 Checklist)

O-PEE-CHEE:

# 66

PACIFIC:

# 94

PINNACLE:

# 93

SLUGFEST # 11 of 30

PINNACLE HOME RUN CLUB:

American League----5 of 48
Pinnacle released this boxed set of 28 American League & 20 National League players on foil "Dufex" - limited to 200,000 sets.

SCORE:

# 84

SCORE - SELECT:

# 50

SPORTS CARD POCKET GUIDE DIGEST:

# 28

TOPPS:

# 635

GOLD Parallel # 635

TOPPS - FINEST:

# 16 (Topps Baseball's Finest)

TOPPS - STADIUM CLUB:

# 102

UPPER DECK:

# 45 [Youthful Tribe]
# 586
# 823 (Indians Checklist)

HOME RUN HEROES # HR5 of 28

LOOSS COLLECTION # ColWI 12 of 27

ON DECK # D4 of 25

UPPER DECK - FUN PACKS:

# 108

UPPER DECK - SP:

# 120

PLATINUM POWER # PP1 of 20

1 9 9 4

BOWMAN:

# 411

BOWMAN PREVIEWS # 3 of 10
A 10-card 1994 Bowman Preview set was issued as inserts in '94 Stadium Club-Series 2 - each card is stamped in rainbow-colored foil and has a special "PRE94VIEW" stamp on the front.

SUPERSTAR SAMPLER # 411

As an insert in '94 Topps retail factory sets, 3-card cello packs of "Superstar Sampler" cards were included......The packs contained special versions of 45 of the top players in '94's Bowman, Finest, and Stadium Club cards......identifiable by the round "Topps Superstar Sampler" logo on the backs.

BOWMAN'S - BEST:

# 41

MIRROR IMAGE # 98 (with Jimmy Hurst - White Sox)

CHRIS MARTIN ENTERPRISES:

PRO MAGS MAGNET # 38
These 2-1/8" x 3-3/8" magnets were produced by former NFL player Chris Martin.

CHURCH'S CHICKEN (Pinnacle):

SHOWSTOPPERS # 7 of 10

DONRUSS:

# 351

SPECIAL EDITION GOLD Parallel # 71

ELITE SERIES # 40 of 48 - Numbered 04317/10,000

The set was sequentially numbered as a continuation of the set that begun in '91, picking up from where the '93 set left off. Cards 37-42 were randomly inserted in Series One and cards 43-48 were in Series Two. Each card was serial-numbered to 10,000 copies; however, because of the drastic cut in production for 1994 Donruss as a whole, it was noticeably easier to pull an Elite insert than in previous years.

MVP # 19 of 28

DONRUSS/LEAF - STUDIO:

Studio # 92

DONRUSS - TRIPLE PLAY:

# 113

BOMB SQUAD # 9 of 10

FLEER - FLAIR:

# 38

OUTFIELD POWER # 1 of 10

FLEER:

# 100

ALL STARS # 3 of 50

LEAGUE LEADERS # 2 of 12

LUMBER COMPANY # 1 of 10

FLEER - EXTRA BASES:

# 57 [Oversized Card]

Fleer Extra Bases is a 400-card, over-sized set. The set is similar to other oversize sets Fleer produced in other sports.

FLEER - ULTRA:

# 41

ALL STARS # 6 of 20

HOMERUN KINGS # 4 of 12

RBI KINGS # 1 of 12

RISING STARS # 3 of 12

KING B DISCS:

# 9 of 24

LEAF:

# 251

CLEAN UP CREW # 11 of 12
The number-4 spot in the lineup is featured in this 12-card insert set that was only available in magazine distributor packaging

POWER BROKERS # 10 of 10

LEAF - LIMITED:

# 27

O-PEE-CHEE:

# 43

ALL STAR REDEMPTION CARD # 12 of 25

JUMBO ALL-STARS FACTORY SET # 12 of 25

Gold foil enhancement makes this jumbo different from the Jumbo All-Stars card......this 5" x 7" parallel was available through the mail as part of a boxed set from a limited edition of 5,000.

PACIFIC:

# 165

PANINI STICKERS:

# 55

PINNACLE:

# 15

MUSEUM COLLECTION Parallel # 15

RUN CREATORS # RC 8 of 44

PINNACLE - POWER SURGE:

A total of 100,000 sets was produced of this boxed set.

# PS-11 of 25

PINNACLE - SPORTFLICS 2000:

# 10

PINNACLE - THE NATURALS:

A total of 100,000 sets was produced of this boxed set.

# 6 of 25

PINNACLE - TOMBSTONE PIZZA:

1994 Tombstone Pizza is a 30-card food issue, produced by Pinnacle Brands. One card was inserted into specially marked Tombstone brand frozen pizzas.

Super Pro Series # 17 of 30

POST CEREAL:

# 27 of 30

RED FOLEY STICKERS:

Indians Team Leaders w/Baerga # 20 of 36

SCORE:

# 7

GOLD RUSH Parallel # 7

GOLD STARS # 46 - Numbered 1 of 6500

SAMPLE # 7 (Base Card)
SAMPLE # 7 - Gold Rush Parallel
Regular and Gold Rush versions of the first 8 cards of the new Score set were produced in a special promo version to promote the 1994 Score product.

SCORE - SELECT:

# 235

TOPPS:

# 390 (All-Stars w/ Barry Bonds)
# 480

BLACK GOLD # 3

GOLD Parallel # 390 (All-Stars w/Barry Bonds)
GOLD Parallel # 480

TOPPS - FINEST:

Finest # 208

SUPERSTAR SAMPLE Parallel # 208
This special version of 45 of the biggest-name stars from the '94 Finest set was issued in a 3-card cello pack with the same player's '94 Bowman and Stadium Club cards - the packs were only available in 1994 Topps retail factory sets - They parallel the regular finest cards with the exception of a round, red "Topps Superstar Sampler" logo on back.

TOPPS - STADIUM CLUB:

# 219
# 258 (HR Club)

1st DAY ISSUE Parallel # 258 (HR Club)

GOLDEN RAINBOW Parallel # 258 (HR Club)

TOPPS - STADIUM CLUB MEMBERS ONLY:

Stadium Club Members Only is a 50-card set available exclusively to members of Topps' Stadium Club. For 1994, Topps changed the Stadium Club Members Only set from a multi-sport set issued in periodic installments, to three different 50-card sets (baseball, football, or hockey). Collectors were given the choice of one set as part of their membership, but could acquire the other two sets, for an additional fee - For the first time, the design of the Members Only set does not mimic that of the regular Stadium Club set.

The last five cards in the set are part of a "Finest" subset and are printed on chromium stock.

# 18 of 50

UPPER DECK:

# 40 (Fantasy Team)
# 131
# 285 (Homefield Advantage)

ELECTRIC DIAMOND PARALLELS:

# 40 (Fantasy Team)
# 131
# 285 (Homefield Advantage)
Mickey Mantle's Long Shots # MM2

UPPER DECK - COLLECTOR'S CHOICE:

# 314 (Top Performers)
# 339 (Indians Checklist)
# 620

HOME RUN ALL-STARS # HA6 of 8

SILVER SIGNATURE PARALLELS:

# 314 (Top Performers)
# 339 (Indians Checklist)
# 620

TEAM VS TEAM SCRATCH-OFF # 11 of 15 (with Pat Listach)

UPPER DECK - FUN PACKS:

# 130
# 183 (Standouts)
# 204 (Headline Stars w/ Frank Thomas)

UPPER DECK - SP:

# 97

DIECUT Parallel # 97

US PLAYING CARDS:

Baseball Aces # 9 of Clubs

1 9 9 5

BAZOOKA:

# 116

RED HOT # RH 21 of 22

BOWMAN:

# 276

BOWMAN'S BEST:

# 50

CARDTOONS:

# 5 [Cow Belle]
Although these cards carry a print date of "1993" on their backs, they were not released until 1995.

DONRUSS:

# 264

BOMB SQUAD # 3 of 6 w/Barry Bonds

PRESS PROOF Parallel # 264 - Numbered 1 of 2,000

DONRUSS - STUDIO:

In a radical - and not well received - departure for the brand, these cards were designed to resemble credit cards. In the time before "gimmicks" came along, I thought they were cool...

# 15

GOLD Parallel # 15 of 50

PLATINUM Parallel # 15 of 25

FLEER:

# 132

ALL STAR # 17 of 25 w/Marquis Grissom

INDIANS TEAM SET # 3 of 20 (Parallel of # 132)

LUMBER COMPANY # 2 of 10

TEAM LEADERS # 5 of 28 w/Dennis Martinez

FLEER - FLAIR:

# 30

OUTFIELD POWER # 1 of 1

HOT NUMBERS # 2 of 10

FLEER - SKYBOX E-MOTION:

# 32 (Amused)

N-TENSE # 2 of 12

FLEER - ULTRA:

# 36

ALL-STAR # 2 of 20

GOLD MEDALLION Parallel # 36

GOLD MEDALLION Parallel - All-Star # 2 of 20

GOLD MEDALLION Parallel - Hitting Machine # 2 of 10

GOLD MEDALLION Parallel - Home Run King # 3 of 10

GOLD MEDALLION Parallel - On Base Leader # 2 of 10

GOLD MEDALLION Parallel - RBI King # 3 of 10

HITTING MACHINE # 2 of 10

HOME RUN KING # 3 of 10

POWER PLUS # 1 of 6

RBI KING # 3 of 10

RISING STAR # 3 of 9

FLEER - UPDATE:

DIAMOND TRIBUTE # 2 of 10

HEADLINERS # 2 of 20

LEAF:

# 284

GOLD LEAF STARS # 2 of 14 - Numbered 03186/10,000

LEAF - LIMITED:

# 147

BAT PATROL # 23 of 24

GOLD # 5 of 24

LUMBERJACKS # 1 of 16 - Numbered 3018/5000

PACIFIC CROWN:

# 118

PACIFIC - PRISM:

# 38

PINNACLE:

# 233
# 298 (Swing Men)

ARTIST'S PROOF Parallel # 298 (Swing Men)

MUSEUM COLLECTION Parallel # 233

PERFORMERS # PP2 of 18

RED HOT # RH7 of 25

TEAM PINNACLE # TP 8 of 9 (w/David Justice)

This nine-card series was double-printed......each card features 2 players---one in printed on Defex, the other conventional......requiring collectors to chase after each version. I need the Belle Dufex card!

UPSTARTS # US 5 of 30

PINNACLE - SPORTSFLICS:

# 14

ARTIST'S PROOF Parallel # 14 (Only 700 produced)

3-D DETONATORS # DE 7 of 9

3-D HAMMER TEAM # HT6 of 18

PINNACLE - SPORTFLICS UC3:

A 147-card set released by Pinnacle Brands in the late summer of '95 - As the name suggests, the set uses a thing called "lenticular printing" to achieve the 3-D effect (You-See-Three). According to Pinnacle, this is the first set issued as an all-3D product, however the Kellogg's 3-D cards of the 70s and 80s (produced by Pinnacle's parent company Optigraphics) had beaten it by two decades. Also, Topps D3 came out around the same time. Nice cards!

# 58
# 131 (In Depth)

CYCLONE SQUAD # CS 12 of 20

PINNACLE - ZENITH:

# 1

All-Star Salute # 11 of 18

POST CEREAL COLLECTOR'S SERIES:

# 13

SCORE:

# 223
# 557 (Hitter's Inc.)

DREAM TEAM GOLD # DG 6 of 12

GOLD RUSH Parallel # 223
GOLD RUSH Parallel # 557 (Hitter's Inc.)

HALL OF GOLD # HG 9

RULES # SR6 of 30

SAMPLE PARALLELS:

Black Letter # 223

White Letter # 223

SCORE - SELECT:

# 60
# 244 (Checklist)

BIG STICKS # BS12 of 12

SCORE - SELECT CERTIFIED EDITION:

# 56

SCORE - SUMMIT:

# 11
# 187 [Bat Speed]

BIG BANG # BB14 of 20 [1:72]

Nth DEGREE Parallel # 11
Nth DEGREE Parallel # 187 [Bat Speed]

TOPPS:

'95 Topps Baseball is a 660-card set divided into two series of 396 and 264 cards. As an aftereffect of the 1994-95 Major League Baseball Player's Strike, Topps announced that production of 1995 Topps would be it's lowest in 30 years.

Each pack contains one "CyberStats" card, a partial-parallel that shows the player's computer-projected statistics had the entire 1994 season been played.

# 389 (All Stars w/Tony Gwynn)
# 503

CYBERSTATS Parallel # 293

LEAGUE LEADER # LL1 of 50 (AL Average Leader)
LEAGUE LEADER # LL14 of 50 (AL RBI Leader)
LEAGUE LEADER # LL33 of 50 (AL Home Run Leader)

TOTAL BASES FINEST # 2 of 15 [Protected]

Randomly inserted into Series Two packs, this 15-card set features the league leaders in total bases for the abbreviated 1994 MLB Season. Each card is done in the "Finest" chromium-stick style, and the set is often referred to as the "Finest" set.

TOPPS - DIMENSION III:

Released by Topps in October 1995, this "three-dimensional" set consists of 59 cards. "D3," as it has come to be known, was not well received by The Hobby and is considered one of Topps' biggest flops of the era.

Originally timed to coincide with the 1995 All-Star Game and buttressed by a massive (by Topps standards) marketing campaign that included a two-full-page advertisement in Beckett Baseball Card Monthly, D3 suffered from delays, a high price tag ($5 for a five-card Hobby pack), the lack of any rookies and few inserts, and the release by Pinnacle Brands of a similar (and about $2/pack cheaper) product, UC3 - A second series of D3 baseball and a football set were both planned for early '96, but both were canceled soon after the release of this product.

# 7

TOPPS - FINEST:

# 82 [Protected]

TOPPS - MB (Embossed):

# 125

GOLDEN IDOLS Parallel # 125

TOPPS - TRADED & ROOKIES:

# 4 (At The Break)
# 161 (All-Star w/ Barry Bonds)

TOPPS - STADIUM CLUB:

# 269 (Virtual Reality)

This 270-card set partially parallels cards from the first two series. Similar to the CyberStats cards in 1995 Topps, the backs contain computer-generated stats projecting what the player might have accomplished if not for the 1994-95 player's strike. Differences include the words "Virtual Reality" printed above the player's name and the numbering on the back. This set was also included in the Member's Only factory set...

# 489 (League Leader)

# 514 (Extreme Corps-Blue)
# 514 (Extreme Corps-Red)
# 514 (Extreme Corps-Yellow)

About half the production of the "Extreme Corps" (EC) and "Trans-Action" (TA) subsets are stamped in silver foil, the other half in rainbow colored foil. Typically, a High-Number box will contain either all silver or all rainbow foil subset cards.

CLEAR CUTS # 16 of 28

There is also a version of this card with the "Member's Only" circle on the card...

CRUNCH TIME # 4 of 40

POWER ZONE # PZ-2 of 12

TOPPS - STADIUM CLUB MEMBER'S ONLY:

# 3

VR Extremists # VRE 4 of 10 [Member's Only Version]
There is also a version of this card without the "Member's Only" circle that appears in the regular TSC sets.

UPPER DECK:

# 340

AWARD WINNERS PREDICTOR Redemption (Hobby) # H-1

ELECTRIC DIAMOND Parallel (Silver) # 340
(I need the GOLD parallel!)

UPPER DECK:

LEAGUE LEADERS PREDICTOR Winner (Retail) # R-1
LEAGUE LEADER PREDICTOR Redemption (Retail) # R-59

UPPER DECK - COLLECTOR'S CHOICE:

# 83 (All Star)

CRASH THE GAME # CG2 - Gold Set Gamecard (June 18)
CRASH THE GAME # CR2 - Gold Winner

CRASH THE GAME # CG2 - Silver Set Gamecard (August 26)
CRASH THE GAME # CG2 - Silver Set Gamecard (Sept. 20)

GOLD SIGNATURE Parallel # 83 (All-Star)

SILVER SIGNATURE Parallel # 83 (All Star)

COLLECTOR'S CHOICE - SPECIAL EDITION:

# 120

SILVER SIGNATURE Parallel # 120

UPPER DECK - NATIONAL PACKTIME:

Upper Deck Card # 1 of 8
This special set was a joint venture by the major card manufacturers, MLB and the Player's Association. Sets of 6 cards were given to attendees at the National Sports Collectors Convention.

UPPER DECK - SP:

# 145

PLATINUM POWER # PP9 of 20

SUPERBAFOIL Parallel # 145

UPPER DECK - SP CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES:

# 145

DIECUT Parallel # 145

DESTINATION FALL CLASSIC # 3 of 9

US PLAYING CARDS:

Baseball Aces # 9 of Clubs

Baseball Aces # Jack of Diamonds

1 9 9 6

Bazooka # 59

BOWMAN:

# 92

BOWMAN'S BEST:

# 6

MIRROR IMAGE REFRACTOR # 5 of 10 (W/Walker/Rivera/Garcia
MIRROR IMAGE ATOMIC REFRACTOR # 5 OF 10 w/ Walker/Rivera/Garcia

DENNY'S RESTAURANT:

INSTANT REPLAY HOLOGRAMS # 4 of 28

GRAND SLAM # 8 of 10

DONRUSS:

# 222

PRESS PROOF Parallel # 222 - Numbered 1 of 2,000

ROUND TRIPPERS # 1 of 10 - Numbered 1511/5000

DONRUSS - STUDIO:

# 143

HIT PARADE # 8 of 10 - Numbered 1929/5000

STAINED GLASS STARS # 7 of 12

FLEER:

# 83

GOLDEN MEMORIES # 1 of 10

LUMBER COMPANY # 1 of 12

FLEER - BASEBALL '96:

Indians Team Set # 4 of 20
This parallel version of Fleer # 83 was issued for sale at Revco Drug Stores and Jacobs Field in Cleveland - sold in 10-card packs, the Revco version Indians Team Set differs from the regular Fleer cards in the application of a UV coating on front & back, the use of silver rather than gold-foil highlights, and the numbering "x of 20" - Fleer also issued sets for several other teams and distributed them regionally.

FLEER - FLAIR:

The entire base set is available in silver and gold variations, both produced equally. The "Gold" cards have an etched gold foil background with the player's name and "Flair '96" logo in silver text, while the "Silver" cards are the opposite. There are no variations on the backs.

# 64 (Gold Foil)

POWERLINE # 1 of 10

FLEER/SKYBOX - EMOTION XL:

Emotion-XL (stylized, "E-XL") was produced by Fleer/SkyBox and was a 300-card set released in the summer of 1996.

The card design was complex and multi-layered, which became staple of this brand in subsequent years. Each card front featured a color action player photo on a color-themed background with either a blue, green, or maroon frame and the player's name and team printed in a foil-stamped medallion. Further, an emotive term was again featured on the card front, continuing the trend from the '95 set - The cards were numbered/grouped alphabetically by team with AL preceding NL.

# 46 (Herculean)

LEGION OF BOOK # 1 of 12

N-TENSE # 1 of 10

SKYBOX - METAL UNIVERSE:

# 44

PLATINUM EDITION Parallel # 44

HEAVY METAL # 1 of 10

TITANIUM # 1 of 10

FLEER - ULTRA:

# 46
# 575 {Ultra Stars)

# 575 - GOLD MEDALLION (Ultra Stars)

CHECKLIST (Series 2) # 1 of 10

CHECKLIST - GOLD MEDALLION Parallel # 1 of 10

DIAMOND PRODUCERS # 1 of 12

DIAMOND PRODUCERS GOLD MEDALLION Parallel # 1 of 12

HITTING MACHINE GOLD MEDALLION Parallel # 1 of 10

RBI KING # 2 of 10

THUNDERCLAP # 1 of 20

FLEER - UPDATE:

# U-213 (Encore)

TIFFANY Parallel # U213 (Encore)

HARDBALL BASEBALL MAGAZINE:

1996 - No.2 Issue w/Albert on the cover.

LEAF:

# 94
# 210 (Inserts Checklist w/Dante Bichette)

ALL-STAR MVP CONTENDERS # 17 of 20
ALL-STAR MVP CONTENDERS - GOLD Parallel # 17 of 20

PICTURE PERFECT # 8 of 12 - Numbered 4945/5000

TOTAL BASES # 2 of 12 - Numbered 3330/5000

LEAF - LIMITED:

# 41
GOLD Parallel # 41

LEAF - PREFERRED:

Preferred is a 150-card set released in July 1996 - Each card was printed on 20-point card stock for extra thickness and durability, and each six-card pack contained one insert card printed on solid steel.

# 46

Steel # 68 (Base)
Steel - GOLD Parallel # 68

Seeded at the rate of one-per-pack, these 77 "cards" set features player photos printed on steel plates.

The Steel cards all have rounded corners (for obvious reasons) and have a peel-away coating on the front.

A Gold parallel was also inserted into packs at the rate of around one per box - it's estimated that 5375 Steel

and 235 Gold Steel cards were produced.

LEAF - SIGNATURE SERIES:

These were considered "high-end" packs in my neck of the woods in '96 ($9.99!), which actually seems downright cheap twenty-plus years later as I update this site...

# 59

PACIFIC:

# 307

MILESTONES # M1 of 10

OCTOBER MOMENTS # OM2 of 20

PACIFIC - PRISM:

# P-94

PANINI STICKERS:

# 121
# 175

PINNACLE:

# 137 (The Naturals)
# 207 - Series 2
# 207 - Foil Parallel

This is a full 200-card parallel of the Series Two base set and featured a foil finish on the card front (similar to the Chrome finish on Topps or Bowman cards). All base cards that emerged from Series Two Super Packs were Foil cards.

# 262 (Hardball Heroes) - Series 2

CHRISTIE BRINKLEY COLLECTION # 10 of 16

ESSENSE OF THE GAME # 13 of 18

PINNACLE POWER # 13 of 20

SKYLINES # 5 of 18

SLUGFEST # 6 of 18

STARBURST Parallel # 64 of 100 (# 137 - The Naturals)
STARBURST Parallel # 107 of 200 (# 207)
STARBURST Parallel # 162 of 200 (# 262 - Hardball Heroes)

TEAM SPIRIT # 9 of 12

PINNACLE - AFFICIONADO:

Probably my favorite set of the 90's, because boxes of these were available at our local drugstore here in Smallville - uh, Liberty, Mississippi (same thing), which was a rarity. I'm not really sure who the baseball fan was in our little store, or why they offered baseball cards for that brief period in '96, but I absolutely LOVED opening these packs...cards felt like they were made of wood! It's a good memory I'll hold onto.

# 77
# 197 [Checklist]

MAGIC NUMBERS # 7 of 10
MAGIC NUMBERS SAMPLE # 7 of 10

SLICK PICKS # 8 of 32

PINNACLE - FANFEST:

Pinnacle Fanfest is a 30-card set released in conjunction with the 1996 Major League All-Star Game Fanfest in Philadelphia (of which, Pinnacle Brands was the presenting sponsor). Each attendee received a 2-card pack with each admission.

# 8 of 30 - Philadelphia All-Star Game

PINNACLE - SPORTFLICS:

Sportflics is a 144-card set released by Pinnacle Brands, exclusively to mass-market retail outlets, in the summer of 1996.

To date, this is the final Sportflix/Sportflics baseball set. The set contains the following subsets: UC3 (97-120), Rookies (121-141), and Checklists (142-144). The UC3 Subset features veteran superstars in 3-D animation.

# 7
# 101 (UC3)

HIT PARADE # 6 of 16

PRO MOTION # 4 of 20

PINNACLE - SUMMIT:

# 82

# 82 - SILVER FOIL Parallel

BALL PARKS # 2 of 18 - Numbered 1370/8000

HITTER'S INC. # 8 of 16 - Numbered 2691/4000

PINNACLE - ZENITH:

# 95
# 131 [Honor Roll]

MOZAICS # 18 (with Manny Ramirez - Carlos Baerga)

This 25-card set features three teammates on Dufex cards...

SCORE:

# 72
# 72 - DUGOUT COLLECTION Parallel # 59 of 110
# 275 (Chase Program Checklist w/Greg Maddux)

# 379 (Star Struck)
# 379 (Star Struck) - DUGOUT COLLECTION Parallel # 104 of 110

ALL-STARS # 2 of 20

DIAMOND ACES # 21 of 30

GOLD STARS # 11 of 30

NUNBERS GAME # 13 of 30

POWER PACE # 2 of 18

TITANTIC TATERS # 1 of 18

PINNACLE - SELECT:

# 36
154 (Lineup Leaders)

ARTIST'S PROOF # 154 (Lineup Leaders) - 435 Sets Produced

CLAIM TO FAME # 6 of 20 - 1 of 2100 Sets Produced

PINNACLE - SELECT CERTIFIED EDITION:

# 22
# 140 (Pastime Power)

RED Parallel # 22 - 1 of 1800

SKYBOX - CIRCA:

# 32

BOSS # 8 of 50

SPORTS CARDS MAGAZINE:

July 1996 Issue w/Albert on the cover.

TEAM OUT GAME:

No Trade - Outfield

TOPPS:

# 45
# 223 (Star Power)

MYSTERY FINEST - OUTFIELD POWER # M17 of 21

PROFILES (AL by Kirby Puckett) # AL-3 of 10

ROAD WARRIORS # RW-2 of 20

WRECKING CREW # WC2 of 15

TOPPS - WALMART:

Wal-Mart Parallel // American League Champion Indians # 45
Sold in blister packs at Wal-Mart, these cards are identical to the regular Topps # 45 except for the "Indians Championship '95" logo stamped on the card front - there were also team sets made for the Braves & Mariners.

TOPPS - CHROME:

# 17
# 83 (Star Power)

WRECKING CREW # WC2 of 15 [1:72]

TOPPS - FINEST:

Bronze Common # 214 - Theme: F-22 (Franchises)
Bronze Common REFRACTOR Parallel # 214 - Theme F-22 (Franchises)

GOLD (Rare) # 9 - Theme: S-2 (Sterling)
GOLD (Rare) REFRACTOR # 9 - Theme: S-2 (Sterling)

SILVER (Uncommon) # 188 - Theme: I-45 (Intimidators)
SILVER (Uncommon) REFRACTO # 188 - Theme: I-45 (Intimidators)

TOPPS - GALLERY:

# 157 (The Masters)

PHOTO GALLERY # PG9 of 15

TOPPS - LASER:

# 99

POWER CUTS # P1 of 16

TOPPS - STADIUM CLUB:

# 201 (Team TSC - Green)
# 201 (Team TSC - Purple)
# 201 (Team TSC - Blue)
# 297

MIDSUMMER MATCHUPS # M7 of 10 (w/Barry Bonds)

POWER PACKED # PP1 of 15

PRIME CUTS # PC1 of 8

TSC AWARDS # 2 of 10

TOPPS STADIUM CLUB: MEMBER'S ONLY:

# 3

UPPER DECK:

# 315
# 371 (Best of a Generation)

GAMEFACE # GF4 of 10

HOT COMMODITIES # HC5 of 20

PREDICTOR (Hobby) # H 1
PREDICTOR (Retail) # R 1
PREDICTOR (Retail) # R ll

UPPER DECK - COLLECTOR'S CHOICE:

# 3 (Stat Leaders w/ Bichette)
# 4 (Stat Leaders w/Bichette & Vaughn)
# 279 (Fantasy Team '95)
# 364 (Checklist 276-320 w/Murray)
# 530 (All -Star)

SILVER SIGNATURE Parallel # 3 (Stat Leaders w/ Bichette)
SILVER SIGNATURE Parallel # 279 (Fantasy Team '95)
SILVER SIGNATURE Parallel # 364 (Checklist 276-320 w/Murray)
SILVER SIGNATURE Parallel # 530 (All Star)

GOLD - CRASH THE GAME - # CG11 - September 6-8

SILVER - CRASH THE GAME # CG11 - August 2-5

SILVER - CRASH THE GAME # CG11 - June 25-26
SILVER - CRASH THE GAME # CH11 - September 6-8
SILVER WINNER - CRASH THE GAME # CR11

YOU MAKE THE PLAY # 5a (Flyout)
YOU MAKE THE PLAY # 5b (Home Run)

UPPER DECK - DIAMOND DESTINY:

# DD-16

UPPER DECK - SP:

This 20-card set highlights two superstars' cards with a common matching stadium background photograph in a blue border done in the style of Wrigley Field's famous marquee. A die-cut red bordered parallel is also available.

# 70

FANFEST PREVIEWS # 3 of 8

MARQUEE MATCHUPS Blue Bordered # MM-11 of 20

MARQUEE MATCHUPS - Red Border Parallel # MM-11 of 20

Belle's card pairs up with Barry Larkin's card # MM-12

UPPER DECK - SPx:

# 19

GOLD Parallel # 19

MISCUT GOLD Parallel "Bizarro" Card # 19

A cool pull for me - mutilated & misprinted on the factory line - a keeper!

1 9 9 7

BOWMAN:

# 67

International Parallel----67

BOWMAN'S BEST:

# 3

BEST CUTS # BC10 of 20
BEST CUTS REFRACTOR # BC10 of 20

BOWMAN - CHROME:

# 48

INTERNATIONAL # 48

DONRUSS:

# 160
# 289
# 442 (Interleague Showdown w/Sammy Sosa)

ROCKET LAUNCHERS # 2 of 15 - Numbered 3622/5000

DONRUSS - ELITE:

# 9

DONRUSS - LIMITED:

# 51 (Counterparts w/Shawn Green)

LIMITED EXPOSURE Parallel # 51 (Counterparts w/Green)

DONRUSS - PREFERRED:

Donruss Preferred set was issued in one series totaling 200 cards, with a suggested retail of $4.99.

The set features color player photos on an all-foil, micro-etched card stock. Similar to 1996 & 1997 Finest, the set is fractured into 100 Bronze, 60 Silver (1:3/packs), 30 Gold (1:12), and 10 Platinum (1:48) cards.

More than anything, the set is probably best remembered for it's unique packaging. Each five-card pack was distributed in a collectible "tin" box.

GOLD # 13 CHECK BELLE BOOK AND SEE IF THIS IS THE "GOLD" PICTURED ON THE BASEBALLCARDPEDIA SITE

STARE MASTER # 12 of 20 - Numbered 1390/1500

TINS # 10

DONRUSS - SIGNATURE SERIES:

# 54

DONRUSS - STUDIO:

# 98

GOLD PRESS PROOF Parallel # 98 - Numbered 1 of 500

HARD HATS # 2 of 24 - Numbered 2345/5000

8 x 10 STUDIO PORTRAIT # 9 of 24

Basically? It's an over-sized parallel of base card # 98...

DONRUSS - TEAM SETS:

MVP # 11 of 18 - Numbered 0704/1000

Team Sets is a 163-card set featuring up to 15 different players from 11 different teams. Similar to that of the '97 Score Regional Team Sets, each team's cards were only available in their specific region.

Unlike the Score set, all the team's cards are sequentially numbered as one large set - The Angels and Indians packs were only available at their respective ballparks and remain tougher to find than the other nine teams.

DONRUSS - UPDATE:

DOMINATORS # 6 of 20

POWER ALLEY (Green) # 8 of 24 - Numbered 3645/4000

DONRUSS - VXP 1.0:

Donruss VxP 1.0 is a 50-card set released in the summer of 1997. Each 10-card pack came packaged with one of six CD-ROMs. When all six were CD-ROMs were collected and uploaded into a computer, a special screen saver with an interactive desktop game was unlocked - This was as cool as the other side of the pillow...unless you didn't have a computer yet...which we didn't until the following year. Oh, well.

# 41

FLEER:

# 75 (Indians)
# 491 (Checklist)
# 600 (White Sox)

HEADLINERS # 2 of 20

LUMBER COMPANY # 3 of 18

SOARING STARS # 1 of 12 (Not Glowing)

TEAM LEADERS # 5 of 28

TIFFANY Parallel # 75

FLEER - MILLION DOLLAR MOMENTS:

Million Dollar Moments is a 50-card, cross-brand, insert set included in a variety of late-year 1997 and early-year 1998 baseball packs. These 50 cards have a mix of retired legends with contemporary stars, highlighting some of the key moments in baseball history.

The first 45 cards in the set are, by far, the most common to find. Cards 46-50 are extremely short printed with each card being tougher to find than the next (It is believed that Fleer only produced a single copy of Joel Youngblood's card.). Prior to the July 31st, 1998 deadline, collectors could mail in their 45-card sets (plus $5.99 for postage and handling) and receive a complete 50-card exchange set.

Lucky collectors that managed to obtain one or more of the SPed cards could receive a shopping spree at selected Hobby shops. Each SP card had to be mailed in along with a complete 45-card set to receive the following shopping allowances:

46 cards: $100
47 cards: $250
48 cards: $500
49 cards: $1000

A grand prize of $1,000,000 cash (payable in an annuity of 20 annual $50,000 increments) was available for the one lucky collector that could obtain and redeem the complete 50-card set. It is unclear is anyone ever claimed the million-dollar prize...although, there is a rumor that a young Donald Trump found a complete set one day when he dropped by one of his New York City construction sites, and an unidentified worker showed him what he'd found hidden in the ruins of the building. The rumor further states that Trump took the cigar box with the cards inside and exclaimed "Wow - look what I found! With this kind of luck, I could run for President one day!" And now you know the rest of the story...

# 36 of 50

FLEER - FLAIR SHOWCASE:

Row-0 // Seat-48 (Showcase)
Row-2 // Seat-48 (Style)

DIAMOND CUTS # 2 of 20

FLEER/SKYBOX - CIRCA:

# 250

SUPER BOSS # 2 of 20

LIMITED ACCESS # 2 of 15

FLEER/SKYBOX - EX 2000:

# 12

HALL OR NOTHING # 14 of 20

Unfortunately, as time would tell, it's the nothing - and NOT the Hall. Too much attitude, perhaps?

FLEER/SKYBOX - METAL:

# 55

BLAST FURNACE # 2 of 12

TITANIUM DIECUT # 2 of 10

FLEER - ULTRA:

# 46
# 411

GOLD MEDALLION Parallel # 411

DOUBLE TROUBLE # 5 of 20 (w/ Kenny Lofton)

FAME GAME # 10 of 18

HR KING # 1 of 12

HITTING MACHINES # 8 of 18

POWER PLUS # 7 of 12 (Series-2)

RBI KING # 2 of 10

SEASON CROWNS # 1 of 12

TOP-30 # 11 of 30

TOP-30 GOLD MEDALLION Parallel Diecut # 11 of 30

LEAF:

# 190 (Legacy)
# 202
# 375 (Gamers)

FRACTAL MATRIX Parallel # 190 (S/Z - Legacy)

GET A GRIP # 9 of 16 (w/Hideo Nomo) - Numbered 2843/3500

22K GOLD STARS # 20 - Numbered 2010/2500

LEAGUE OF NATIONS # 9 of 15 - Numbered 1927/2500

WARNING TRACK # 2 of 18 - Numbered 2922/3500

PACIFIC CROWN:

# 67

CARD-SUPIALS Mini # 8a of 36

Card-Supials is a 36-card, standard-sized set inserted at the rate of about one-per-wax box

Joining the base inserts were a 36-card mini-sized parallel, measuring 1 1/4" X 1 3/4". Each standard-sized card had a slit cut into it forming a "pouch" in which the player's mini parallel was meant to be inserted.

Pack-inserted cards came with a randomly selected mini parallel pre-stuffed into each card's "pouch."

GOLD CROWN DIECUTS # GV8 of 36

FIREWORKS DIECUT # FW-6 of 20

PACIFIC - INVINCIBLE:

Pacific Prism Invincible base cards featured a transparent cel "window" with the player's portrait and are printed in both English and Spanish. Each pack contains one Prism and two Gems of the Diamond "inserts."

The Pacific Prism brand name would take a one-year hiatus after this year's product. However, the concepts behind it would continue as INVINCIBLE...

# 33

GEMS OF THE DIAMOND # GD 33

SIZZLING LUMBER # 3a of 36

PINNACLE:

# 100

MUSEUM COLLECTION Parallel # 100

PINNACLE - NEW PINNACLE:

New Pinnacle was a 200-card, single-series set released in June 1997. Rather than issue a second series of '97 Pinnacle,

the parent company decided to release an entirely new set, complete with a new checklist, design, and inserts. Each base card featured a borderless color photo, gold foil accents, a team-colored nameplate, and a holographic window behind the nameplate. The product was not as well received as expected, the release was notable for making Press Plates available to the Hobby for the first time. Press plates were distributed through two different methods involving the New Pinnacle brand: in sealed cases and in packs.

# 12
# 193 [Aura]

MUSEUM COLLECTION Parallel # 12

SPELLBOUND (L) # 4-AB

PINNACLE CERTIFIED:

# 17
# 140 (Certified Stars)

CERTIFIED TEAM # 15 of 20

CERTIFIED GOLD TEAM # 15 of 20 - Numbered 135/500

PINNACLE - INSIDE:

Cards in a can - some friends and I bought as many as we could get our hands on, thinking they'd be an "investment"...on down the road, someone would be so curious about the can's secret-surprises, they'd be willing to buy 'em for a little more than we actually paid - Nahhhhhh, that never worked...we couldn't resist the temptation to bust those cans open!

# 35

CLUB EDITION Parallel # 35

PINNACLE - MINT:

Pinnacle Mint was a 30-card/30-coin set that was Pinnacle Brands, Inc.'s first attempt to combine card collecting with numismatics - This concept was one of many innovations (some would say gimmicks) the company introduced The Hobby. But while Dufex technology & Press Plates were well received...Mint was not.

Each base card had a sepia-toned background and color player photo in the foreground with a circular die-cut hole where the player's corresponding coin was meant to fit. The coins came packaged in a 2.5" X 3.5" plastic holder in packs.

Bronze Card # 8 of 30 (No Hole for Coin)
Bronze Coin----8 of 30

Diecut Card----8 of 30 (Hole for Coin)

PINNACLE - SELECT:

17 (Blue Short print)

TOOLS OF THE TRADE # 5 of 25 (w/K. Garcia)

TOLLS OF THE TRADE - Mirror Blue Parallel # 5 of 25

PINNACLE - TOTALLY CERTIFIED:

Totally Certified is a 150-card parallel brand of the '97 Certified set that was Pinnacle's high-end product for the year. The checklist is identical to its Pinnacle Certified base brand (minus Jose Cruz, Jr.) but the design differs: Each card featured the same basic design but a new photograph and was printed on etched foil. Just like its base brand, each card also featured a removable protective "peel" - Totally Certified was available exclusively in Hobby stores.

PLATINUM BLUE # 17 - Numbered 0600/1999

PINNACLE - XPRESS:

# 47

FAR & AWAY # 1 of 18

SWING FOR THE FENCES GAME RULES CARD # 7 of 60

PINNACLE - ZENITH:

# 7

SCORE:

# 12
# 428
# 495 (Goin' Yard)

ARTIST'S PROOF # 495 (Goin' Yard Parallel)

BLAST MASTER # 4 of 18

HOBBY RESERVE # 428

HOBBY RESERVE # 495 (Goin' Yard Parallel)

THE FRANCHISE # 6 of 9 (non-glowing)

TITANTIC TATERS # 6 of 18

Score Hobby Reserve # 428 (Hobby Only Parallel)
Score Hobby Reserve # 495 (Hobby Only Parallel of Goin Yard)
Distributed exclusive to The Hobby, Premium Stock is an upgraded version of the Series One base set. The cards parallel the regular Score set except for a gray border, a card stock twice as thick as Score, and a prominent gold foil "Premium Stock" logo on front. The Series Two edition was dubbed "Hobby Reserve." Hobby Reserve was printed on a thinner card stock than the Premium Stock cards (but still thicker than regular Score), and had white borders. Each Hobby Reserve card was foil-stamped, differentiating them from the regular Score set.
Score Premium Stock # 12 [Hobby Only Parallel]

FLEER - SPORTS ILLUSTRATED:

EXTRA EDITION Parallel # 149 - Numbered 057/500

MINI POSTER

NOTE TO ME (4-2024) - Is this from the GREAT SHOTS # 9 insert set?

STRAT-O-MATIC GAME CARD:

TOPPS:

# 69

ALL STARS # AS-11 of 22 (w/Anderson & Greer)

IINTER-LEAGUE MATCHUP # ILM-6 of 14 (w/Barry Larkin)

HOBBY MASTERS # HM-4

SEASON'S BEST # SB-9 of 25 (Bleacher Reacher's)

SEASON'S BEST # SB-12 of 25 (King's of Swing)

SWEET STROKES # SS-3

TEAM TIMBER - LITHO-WOOD CARD # TT-14 of 16

TOPPS - CHROME:

# 24

ALL-STARS # AS-11 of 22 w/Anderson & Greer

SEASON'S BEST # SB-9 of 25 (Bleacher Reacher's)

SEASON'S BEST # SB-12 of 25 (King's of Swing)

TOPPS - FINEST:

BRONZE (Common) # 240 - Theme: P-27 (Power)

BRONZE (Common) REFRACTOR # 240 - Theme: P-27 (Power)

GOLD (Rare) # 347 - Theme: M-12 (Masters)

GOLD EMBOSSED (Rare) # 347 - Theme: M-12 (Masters)

SILVER (Uncommon) # 319 - Theme: C-55 (Competitors)

TOPPS - GALLERY:

# 82

TOPPS - SCREEN PLAYS:

Screenplays is a 20-card all-lenticular set released in the Summer of 1997.

Each card displays 24 frames of actual game footage with the help of Kodak's revolutionary Kodamotion technology.

The cards have a dura clear back and is individually packaged in a collectible tin that resembles a movie reel canister and features a full-color image of the player inside. The fronts of each tin are packaged with protective cover that conceals the player's image. The tin contains a display stand for it and the card and includes player info, bio, and stats.

Card & Tin # 2 of 20

TOPPS - STADIUM CLUB:

# 227
# 379 (Stadium Slugger)

FIREBRAND WOOD CARD # FB2 of 12

This 12-card set is exclusive to Series One retail packs and feature redemption cards of 12 of the top sluggers. Due to circumstances beyond Topps' control, they were unable to insert the actual die-cut wood cards into packs and had to resort to redemption cards, which expired September 30, 1997.

INSTAVISION Highlights # I-14 of 22

MATRIX Parallel # 227

TOPPS - STARS:

# 39

UPPER DECK:

# 50
# 333
# 419 (Griffey's Hot List)

HOT COMMODITIES # HC12 of 20

POWER PACKAGE Diecut # PP-8 of 20

PREDICTOR GAME CARD # P10 of 30

STAR ATTRACTIONS # SA9 of 10
STAR ATTRACTIONS GOLD Parallel # SA9 of 10

UPPER DECK - COLLECTOR'S CHOICE:

# 58 (League Leaders w/Galarraga)
# 329 (Ken Griffey Jr's Hot List)

ALL-STAR CONNECTION # 7 of 45

CRASH THE GAME # CH-9 - Send-In Card - September 11-14
CRASH THE GAME # CG-9 - Send-In Card - September 19-21

MEMORABLE MOMENTS # 2 of 10

This 20-card set was inserted into specially marked six-card retail packs. The "A" series cards, which are gold foil stamped, were in Series One, while the "B" cards, which have bronze foil, were in Series Two.

PREMIER POWER # PP4 of 20

STICKUMS # 8 of 30
STICKUMS - Unnumbered Retail-Only Version

THE BIG SHOW # 15 of 45
THE BIG SHOW - World Headquarters Edition Parallel # 15 of 45

TOAST OF THE TOWN # T-10 of 30

UPPER DECK - COLLECTOR'S CHOICE TEAM SETS:

# CW-7 (White Sox set)

UPPER DECK - HOME TEAM HEROES:

Home Team Heroes is a 12-card boxed set that was sold exclusive to retail outlets. Each card measures 5" X 3 1/2".

Oversized w/Frank Thomas # 10 of 12

UPPER DECK - SP:

# 45

INSIDE INFO # 5 of 25

SPECIAL FX # 4 of 47

UPPER DECK - SPx:

# 18 [Silver]

BOUND FOR GLORY # 8 of 20 - Numbered 835/1500

UPPER DECK - UD3:

# 4 (Homerun Heroes)

MARQUEE ATTRACTION # MA6 of 10

1 9 9 8

BOWMAN:

# 42

INTERNATIONAL Parallel # 42

BOWMAN'S - BEST:

# 20

BOWMAN - CHROME: # 42

DONRUSS:

THE END OF AN ERA...

Sadly, this year's release was the final Donruss set issued in the 90s, ending an eighteen-year run dating back to 1981. In July, two years after Donruss, Inc. (which included the Leaf brand) was purchased by Pinnacle...but this ownership would not last long - Pinnacle filed for bankruptcy protection and was liquidated the following month. Playoff Corporation - known for its football cards - paid $9.6 million for all of Pinnacle's assets and subsequently entered a license agreement with Major League Baseball Properties (MLBP) allowing them to sell a portion of the leftover baseball card inventory they inherited. This would include '98 DR Signature and '98 Leaf Rookies & Stars, which came out in December 1998 and January 1999, respectively. In 2001, Playoff (now renamed "Donruss-Playoff") was able to secure a permanent MLB license and the Donruss brand was revived in 2001...

# 36
# 349 (Hit List)

LONGBALL LEADERS # 6 of 24 - Numbered 4092/5000

PRODUCTION LINE PI (Power Index) # 12 of 20 - Numbered 090/823

SILVER PRESS PROOF Parallel # 349 (Hit List) - Numbered 1 of 1500

DONRUSS - COLLECTIONS:

Donruss Collections is a massive 750-card Topps Chrome-esque parallel brand that draws from four previously released 1998 sets: Donruss Series 1, Leaf, Donruss Elite, and Donruss Preferred - Like Topps/Bowman Chrome, all cards are printed on chromium stock and feature Refractor-like parallels.

The set is fractured so that the 200 Donruss cards are the most common and the 200 Donruss Preferred cards are the rarest -- in fact, according to Donruss only 1400 copies of each Donruss Collections Preferred cards were printed.

LEAF # 160 (Gold Leaf Stars (Collections # 359)

DONRUSS PREFERRED # 21 (Field Box / Collections # 571)

DONRUSS - ELITE:

# 15
# 132 [Generations]

ASPIRATION Parallel # 132 (Generation) - Numbered 1 of 750

DONRUSS - PREFERRED:

# 196 [Grandstand]

TITLE WAVES # 20 of 30 - Numbered 0271/1995

DONRUSS - STUDIO:

# 59

HIT PARADE # 9 of 20 - Numbered 4290/5000

DONRUSS - UPDATE:

DOMINATORS # 26 of 30

FLEER - FLAIR SHOWCASE:

Row-3 / Seat-23 (Flair/Showtime)

FLEER - SKYBOX CIRCA THUNDER:

# 286

FLEER - SKYBOX DUGOUT ACCESS:

# 58

DOUBLE HEADER # DH2 of 20

GRONKS # 2 of 10 G

FLEER - SKYBOX EX-2001:

# 19

CHEAP SEAT TREATS # 10 of 20 CS

FLEER - SKYBOX METAL:

# 127

UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE # UL- 4 of 20

FLEER - SPORTS ILLUSTRATED:

# 10

FLEER - SPORTS ILLUSTRATED THEN & NOW:

Then and Now is a 150-card set released by Fleer in April, 1998. This was the second of three SI-branded products issued by Fleer in '98.

# 41 (A Place in History)
# 60 (Legends of Today)

EXTRA EDITION Parallel # 41 - Numbered 484/500 (A Place in History)

FLEER - SPORTSILLUSTRATED WORLD SERIES FEVER:

# 31

EXTRA EDITION Parallel # 31 - Numbered 52/98

FLEER - TRADITION:

# 322 (Tale of the Tape)
# 355

THE POWER GAME # 2 of 20 PG

Vintage '63 # 85

FLEER - ULTRA:

# 28
# 497 (Pizzazz)

ARTISTIC TALENTS # 10 of 18 AT

BIG SHOTS # BS 4 of 15

DOUBLE TROUBLE (w/Frank Thomas) # DT6 of 20

FALL CLASSICS # 10 of 15 FC

GOLD MEDALLION Parallel # 28-G
GOLD MEDALLION Parallel # 497-G (Pizzazz)

NOTABLES # 4 of 20 N

POWER PLUS # PP 6 of 10

TOP-30 # 4 of 30-T3

LEAF:

# 160 (Gold Leaf Star)

FRACTAL MATERIALS - Leather Parallel # 160 (Gold Leaf Star) - Numbered 0108/1000

LEAF - ROOKIES & STARS:

# 46

HOME RUN DERBY # 20 of 20 - Numbered 0347/2500

MVP # 6 of 20 - Numbered 2741/5000

TRUE BLUE Parallel # 148 (Power Tools) - Numbered 1 of 500

PACIFIC:

# 52

SILVER Parallel # 52

PACIFIC - AURORA:

# 22

PENNANT FEVER # 20

PACIFIC - HOME RUN HEROES:

Sold in special cans, this 6-card set featured players in the homerun race of 1998.

# 5 of 6

PACIFIC - INVINCIBLE:

# 17

GEMS OF THE DIAMOND # 28

INTERLEAGUE PLAYERS # 6A of 30

PACIFIC - OMEGA:

# 53

RED Parallel # 53 (Wal-Mart Exclusive)

PACIFIC - ONLINE:

# 161

PACIFIC - PARAMOUNT:

# 27

COPPER Parallel #27

GOLD Parallel # 27

RED Parallel # 27

PACIFIC - REVOLUTION:

# 34

SHADOW SERIES Parallel # 34 - Numbered 37/99

PINNACLE:

HIT IT HERE # 6 of 10
HIT IT HERE SAMPLE # 6 of 10

PINNACLE - EPIX:

Epix is a multi-tiered, multi-fractured, 96-card, cross-brand insert set. Randomly inserted into packs of '98 Score, '98 Pinnacle, '98 Zenith, '98 Score Rookie Traded, and '98 Pinnacle Plus, the 24 players included in this set were featured on four different cards to commemorate (in ascending order of scarcity) their greatest Play, Game, Season, or Moment.

Each card was specific to a particular brand. To obtain all the cards for each player in this fractured insert set, one had to open Pinnacle, Score, Zenith, Score Rookie/Traded, and Pinnacle Plus packs.

A final selection of 24 Epix cards was slated for inclusion in '98 Pinnacle Certified, but the manufacturer went bankrupt before that product shipped. However, a full set of Epix cards from the Pinnacle Certified set emerged on the secondary market nearly 20 years after Pinnacle's bankruptcy. A set is considered complete without the Certified cards.

A additional set of "All-Star Epix" inserts, separate from the regular Epix set, was released in packs of Score Rookie Traded and Pinnacle Plus packs.

Printing plates for some cards also exist but it is unclear how these were distributed.

SCORE PURPLE # E-10 (Game)

PINNACLE - INSIDE:

Pinnacle Inside, released in July 1998 was one of the last products the Donruss/Leaf/Pinnacle parent brand released before going bankrupt later that month - Pinnacle Brands, Inc. continued the cards in a can" for a second consecutive year to market the product and distinguish it from other baseball card offerings on a Hobby shelf or retail store section. However, this marketing idea fell flat again as the presentation was large and took up space, which made the product difficult to display in card stores/shows or keep on retail store shelves.

Once again, each 10-card pack was housed inside a cellophane wrapper and placed inside one of 23 different collectible player/team soup cans and thus to open the "pack", collectors needed to use a can opener.

20 players in the set and 3 teams (Arizona Diamondbacks, Florida Marlins, Tampa Bay Devil Rays) were featured on the soup cans, making the can itself a collectible item, opened or unopened. Because of this, player and set collectors commonly objected to the "cards in a can" concept due to the possibility that hard to find cards (e.g., the Diamond Edition parallel) could still be housed in unopened cans that other collectors bought for display only.

# 16

# 143 (Working the Count)

CLUB EDITION Parallel # 143 (Working the Count)

PINNACLE - MINT:

BRONZE Card # 2

BRONZE Coin # 2

DIECUT CARD w/GOLD PROOF COIN # 2 - Numbered 1/100

SILVER MINT TEAM Parallel # 2

PINNACLE - PERFORMERS:

# 21

SWING FOR THE FENCES Game Rules # 2 of 50

PINNACLE - PLUS:

# 4 (All Star)

ALL-STAR EPIX # E-10 (Orange)

LASTING MEMORIES # 25 of 30

YARD WORK # 3 of 15

PINNACLE - ZENITH:

# 23

SCORE:

# 7

FIRST PITCH # 18 of 20

SHOWCASE SERIES Parallel # PP-114

SCORE - ROOKIE TRADED"

# RT-36

TOPPS:

# 331

ETCH-A-SKETCH # ES1 of 9

INTERLEAGUE MYSTERY FINEST # ILM 20 of 20 (Interleague Matchup w/Sosa-Thomas-Grace)

MYSTERY FINEST - Bordered # M4 of 20

TOPPS - CHROME:

# 331

TOPPS - FINEST:

# 120

MYSTERY FINEST 2 # M31 (Belle/Belle)
MYSTERY FINEST 2 - Double Refractor # M4 (Belle/Garciaparra)

NO PROTECTOR REFRACTOR # 120

TOPPS - GALLERY:

# 25 (Permanent Collection)

TOPPS - GOLD LABEL:

Class 1 - # 3
Class 3 - # 3

TOPPS - OPENING DAY:

# 158

TOPPS - STARS:

Topps Stars is a 150-card set that was distributed exclusively to Topps' Home Team Advantage stores. Every base set card is serial-numbered to 9799 copies and each pack contains four other serial-numbered parallel cards.

BASE (Red Foil) # 133 - Numbered 1965/9799

BRONZE Parallel # 133 - Numbered 3583/9799

GOLD Parallel # 133 - Numbered 1300/2299

SILVER Parallel # 133 - Numbered 1578/4399

TOPPS - SUPER CHROME:

# 32

SUPER CHROME REFRACTOR Parallel # 32

TOPPS - TEK:

# 47 /// Pattern-21
# 47 /// Pattern-26
# 47 /// Pattern-55
# 47 /// Pattern-67
# 47 /// Pattern-79
# 47 /// Pattern-87

TOPPS - STADIUM CLUB:

# 77

TRIUMVIRATE # T15c of 54

UPPER DECK:

# 60

AMAZING GREATS # ag-30 OF 30 - Numbered 1 of 2,000

10TH ANNIVERSARY PREVIEW # 45 of 60

TAPE MEASURE TITANS # 9 of 30

TAPE MEASURE TITANS GOLD # 9 of 30 - Numbered 0725/2667

UPPER DECK - COLLECTOR'S CHOICE:

CRASH THE GAME WINNERS # CG-11 of 30

STARQUEST Triple # SQ-70 (Super Powers)

UPPER
STARQUEST JUMBO # SQ-70 (Super Powers)

STICKUMS # 9 of 30

UPPER DECK - RETRO:

# 20

BIG BOPPERS # B-7 of 30 - Numbered 109/500

TIME CAPSULE # TC 7 of 50

UPPER DECK - SP AUTHENTIC:

SHEER DOMINANCE # SD-26 of 42
SHEER DOMINANCE GOLD # SD-26 of 42 - Numbered 1514/2000

UPPER DECK - SPECIAL FX:

# 35

UPPER DECK - SPX FINITE:

# 71 (Radiance) - Numbered 1889/4500

# 223 (Power-Passion Common) - Numbered 3449/7000

# 223 (Radiance/Star Focus - Numbered 1167/1750

UPPER DECK - UD3:

# EM-49 (Power Corps Establishment)
# FX-49 (Power Corps FX)

1 9 9 9

BOWMAN:

# 233

INTERNATIONAL Parallel # 233

BOWMAN'S BEST:

# 65

BOWMAN - CHROME:

# 233

FLEER:

# 13

GOING YARD # GY-2 of 15

GOLDEN MEMORIES # 1 of 15

VINTAGE '61 Parallel (Baseball Greats) # 13 (Hobby Only)

FLEER - BRILLIANTS:

# 107

FLEER - FLAIR SHOWCASE:

Row 1 // Seat 41 - Showcase/Showpiece
Row 2 // Seat 41 - Passion/Showdown
Row 3 // Seat 41 - Power/Showtime

FLEER - MYSTIQUE:

# 82

FLEER/SKYBOX - EX CENTURY:

# 27

ESSENTIAL CREDENTIALS NOW # 27 - Numbered 83/94

FLEER/SKYBOX - METAL:

# 27
# 285 [MLPD]

FLEER/SKYBOX - MOLTEN METAL:

# 107 (Heavy Metal)

FLEER/SKYBOX - PREMIUM:

# 107
# 282 (Spring Fling)

FLEER/SKYBOX - THUNDER:

# 284

IN DEPTH # 1 of 10 ID

FLEER - SPORTS ILLUSTRATED:

# 28 [Season Highlights]
# 114

FABULOUS 40's # 5 of 13 FF

FLEER - ULTRA:

# 78

GOLD MEDALLION EDITION # 78-G

THE BOOK ON BO-4 of 20

RBI KINGS # RK-5 of 30

FLEER - UPDATE:

# U-131

PACIFIC:

# 97 (Action)

PACIFIC - AURORA:

# 21

PACIFIC CROWN COLLECTION:

# 64

PACIFIC - CROWN ROYALE:

LIMITED SERIES Parallel # 18 - Numbered 62/99

PILLARS OF THE GAME # 4 of 25

PIVITAL PLAYERS # 4 of 25

PACIFIC - INVINCIBLE:

# 19

PACIFIC - OMEGA:

# 31

HR '99 # 4 of 20

PACIFIC - PARAMOUNT:

# 31
# 31 - COPPER Parallel (Retail)

# 31 - RED Parallel (Retail)

PERSONAL BESTS # 6 of 36

PACIFIC - PRISM:

# 32

HOLOGRAPHIC GOLD Parallel # 32 - Numbered 365/480

PACIFIC - PRIVATE STOCK:

# 23

PACIFIC - REVOLUTION:

# 19

TOPPS:

# 93

ALL MATRIX (Club-40) # AM-5 of 30

TOPPS - CHROME:

# 93

ALL ETCH (Club-40) # AE-5 of 30
ALL ETCH REFRACTOR (Club 40) # AE-5 of 30

TOPPS - FINEST:

# 259 (Series 2 - Sterling)

HANK AARON AWARD CONTENDERS # HA-4 of 9
HANK AARON AWARD CONTENDERS' REFRACTOR # HA-4 of 9

LEADING INDICATORS # L-5 of 10
These Leading Indicator cards are COOL, in that they utilized a thing called Heat-Sensitive-Thermal-Ink-Technology...

the background appears black until you press it with your finger and then stats appear. Very innovative!

PROMINANT FIGURES # PF-20 of 50 (Slugging) - Numbered 334/847

SPLIT SCREEN REFRACTOR # SS-4 of 14 (w/Barry Bonds) - Tier-1 - Belle Refractor/Bonds Non-Refractor

TOPPS - GALLERY:

# 44

TOPPS - GOLD LABEL:

# 17 - Class-1

RACE TO AARON #RA-5 of 20
RACE TO AARON - BLACK LABEL # RA-5 of 20

TOPPS - OPENING DAY:

# 52

TOPPS - STARS:

#16 - 1 Star
# 16 - 2 Stars
# 16 - 3 Stars
# 155 (Luminaries)

TOPPS - STARS & STEEL:

Stars 'n Steel is a 44-card set printed on .25-gauge metal "cards."

# 18

TOPPS - TEK:

Believe it or not, there are SIXTY pattern cards for each player included in this set - OhMyGosh!

# 14-A - Pattern 3
# 14-A - Pattern 8
# 14-A - Pattern 10
# 14-A - Pattern 11
# 14-A - Pattern 12

# 14-A - Pattern 19
# 14-A - Pattern 25
# 14-A - Pattern 28
# 14-A - Pattern 30

# 14-B - Pattern 9
# 14-B - Pattern 10
# 14-B - Pattern 11
# 14-B - Pattern 14
# 14-B - Pattern 19
# 14-B - Pattern 25

TOPPS - TRADED:

# T-84

CHROME Parallel # T-84

TOPPS - STADIUM CLUB:

# 315 [1999 Transactions]

TOPPS - STADIUM CLUB CHROME:

# SCC-5
# SCC-5 REFRACTOR Parallel

UPPER DECK:

# 315

FORTE # F-8 of 30

10TH ANNIVERSARY TEAM # X-17 of 30
10TH ANNIVERSARY TEAM - DOUBLE Parallel # X-17 of 30 - Numbered 0905/4000

TEXTBOOK EXCELLENCE # T-6 of 30
TEXTBOOK EXCELLENCE - DOUBLE Parallel # T-6 of 30 - Numbered 1262/2000

UPPER DECK - BLACK DIAMOND:

# 22

DOUBLE DIAMOND Parallel # 22 - Numbered 1163/3000

UPPER DECK 0 CENTURY LEGENDS:

# 64 (Contemporaries)

UPPER DECK - CHALLENGERS FOR 70:

# 5 (Power Elite)

# 49 (Home Run Highlights)

CHALLENGERS FOR 70 # C-5 of 30

CHALLENGERS EDITION Parallel # 5 (Power Elite) - Numbered 190/600

UPPER DECK - ENCORE:

# 13 (Parallels UD-315)
# 139 (Homer Odyssey)

FX GOLD Parallel (Homer Odyssey) # 139 - Numbered 055/125

UPPER DECK - HOLOGRFX:

# 11

LAUNCHERS # L-12 of 15
LAUNCHERS GOLD Parallel # L-12 of 15

UPPER DECK - IONIX:

# 17

UPPER DECK - MVP:

# 25

SILVER SCRIPT Parallel # 25

POWER SURGE # P-9 of 15

UPPER DECK - OVATION:

# 16

CURTAIN CALLS # R-17 of 20

MAJOR PRODUCTION # S-12 of 20

UPPER DECK - RETRO:

# 12

UPPER DECK - SP AUTHENTIC:

# 14

HOME RUN CHRONICLES # HR-6

UPPER DECK - SPx:

# 21

POWER EXPLOSION # PE-7 of 30

UPPER DECK - UD CHOICE PREVIEWS:

UD Choice Preview is a 55-card, skip-numbered, set. Released two months before 1999 UD Choice, the sole difference between the two products is the word "PREVIEW" stamped onto the front of each card.

There are no inserts, parallels, or other chase cards.

# 70

UPPER DECK - UD CHOICE:

# 70

YARD WORK # Y-8 of 30

UPPER DECK - ULTIMATE VICTORY:

# 19 (Parallels Victory # 48)

UPPER DECK - VICTORY:

# 48

2 0 0 0

BOWMAN:

# 52

BOWMAN'S BEST:

# 41

BOWMAN - CHROME:

# 52

RETRO/FUTURE REFRACTOR Parallel # 52

FLEER - FOCUS:

# 131

MASTERPIECE MANIA Parallel # 131 - Numbered 051/300

FLEER - GAMERS:

# 34

FLEER - IMPACT:

# 166

FLEER - MYSTIQUE:

# 44

FLEER - SHOWCASE:

# 28

FLEER - SKYBOX:

# 166

FLEER/SKYBOX - DOMINION:

# 233

FLEER/SKYBOX - METAL:

# 40

EMERALD Parallel # 40

FLEER - TRADITION:

# 258

FLEER - ULTRA:

# 84

MLB SHOWDOWN:

# 9 (1st Edition)

PACIFIC:

# 49 (Pose)
# 49 - COPPER Parallel (Pose) - Numbered 41/99

PACIFIC - AURORA:

# 16

PACIFIC CROWN COLLECTION:

# 30

MOMENT OF TRUTH # 4 of 30

PACIFIC - CROWN ROYALE:

# 17

PACIFIC - INVINCIBLE:

# 17

# 17 - HOLOGRAPHIC PURPLE Parallel - Numbered 276/299

PACIFIC - OMEGA:

# 18

# 18 - GOLD Parallel - Numbered 058/120

A.L. CONTENDERS # 4 of 18

PACIFIC - PARAMOUNT:

# 29
# 29 - COPPER Parallel
# 20 - GOLD Parallel
# 29 - RUBY RED Parallel
# 29 - HOLOGRAPHIC SILVER Parallel - Numbered 58/9

PACIFIC - PRISM:

# 17
# 17 - RAPTURE GOLD Parallel

PACIFIC - PRIVATE STOCK:

# 14

PACIFIC - REVOLUTION:

# 18

PACIFC - VANGUARD:

# 4

TOPPS:

# 405

ALL TOPPS TEAM # AT-17 of 20

POWER PLAYERS # P-12 of 20

TOPPS - CHROME:

# 405

ALL TOPPS TEAM # AT-17 of 20

POWER PLAYERS # P-12 of 20
POWER PLAYERS REFRACTOR # P-12 of 20

TOPPS - FINEST:

# 222

TOPPS - GALLERY:

# 17

GALLERY EXHIBITS # GE-11 of 30 (Abstracts)

TOPPS - GOLD LABEL:

# 8 - Class 1
# 8 - Class 2

TOPPS - HD:

# 88

TOPPS - LIMITED EDITION:

Topps revived the "Tiffany" concept of The Junk Wax Era with a "Limited Edition" factory set. Each set came in an attractive black box with a glossy teal overlay and offered collectors the chance to get an upgraded premium version of the basic 2000 Topps. Each factory set contained a total of 619 cards including the complete 478 card basic Topps set plus the following insert sets: 21st Century Topps, Aaron Reprints, All-Star Rookie Team, All-Topps, Combos, Hands of Gold, Own the Game, Perennial All-Stars, Power Players and the Mark McGwire 1985 Reprint. Collectors received only one of five different variations of the Magic Moments subset cards (236-240/475-479) per factory set. Each card has thick gloss and features a "Limited Edition" gold foil stamp on front. Stated print run was originally 6000 serial numbered sets but actual production turned out to be 4000 sets (with only 800 copies of each of the Magic Moments variation subset cards). Each factory box is serial numbered x/4000 but the individual cards are not numbered in any way. The sets were distributed in late September, 2000.

# 405

ALL TOPPS TEAM # AT-17

POWER PLAYERS # P-12

TOPPS - OPENING DAY:

# 142

TOPPS - STARS:

# 6

TOPPS - STADIUM CLUB:

# 158

UPPER DECK:

# 52
# 52 - EXCLUSIVES SILVER Parallel - Numbered 047/100

UPPER DECK - BLACK DIAMOND:

# 13
# R-13 - RECIPROCAL DIECUT Parallel

UPPER DECK - GOLD RESERVE:

UD Parallel # 52

UPPER DECK - HITTERS'S CLUB:

# 31

UPPER DECK - HOLOGRFX:

# 52

UPPER DECK - IONIX:

# 36

RECIPROCAL Parallel # R36

SHOCKWAVE # S-7 of 15

UPPER DECK - LEGENDS:

# 52

UPPER DECK - MVP:

# 128

DRAW YOUR OWN CARD # DT-27

As part of a contest in conjunction with the release of '99 UD Choice, Upper Deck asked the youth of America to draw their own Upper Deck baseball card, with the winners to be included in a future Upper Deck set. These 31 cards were the winners. Because the MVP brand was developed to replace UD Choice, some of these cards still have Choice branding.

UPPER DECK - OVATION:

# 37

UPPER DECK - PROS & PROSPECTS:

# 21

UPPER DECK - SPx:

# 53

POWER BROKERS # PB-18 of 20

UPPER DECK - ULTIMATE VICTORY:

# 22

# 22 - VICTORY COLLECTION Parallel # 22 - Numbered 30/250

UPPER DECK - VICTORY:

# 195

On October 10, 2000, Albert would play his last game as a major leaguer.

I doubt very seriously he foresaw that day coming as the season began...or that he'd never return to the glory he'd experienced in the past. Even more so, the card companies didn't see it coming, either - they kept churning out his cards in 2001...

2 0 0 1

BOWMAN:

# 9
# 9 - GOLD Parallel

BOWMAN - CHROME:

# 6
# 6 - XFRACTOR Parallel

DONRUSS (20th Anniversary):

AFTER A 2-YEAR HIATUS, THEY ARE BACK, BABY! HERE'S A REMINDER:

In 1998 Pinnacle Brands, the owner of the Donruss and Leaf brand names, filed for bankruptcy protection and went out of business. It appeared that after an 18-year run Donruss' flagship baseball set would come to an end. But then an unlikely savior appeared in the form of football card manufacturer Playoff, who purchased what was left of Pinnacle through a bankruptcy court.

Almost as soon as they bought Pinnacle, speculation immediately began as to Playoff's baseball card intentions. Although Playoff was given a temporary license in 1998 -- so that the 1998 Donruss Signature set could be released -- it appeared that Playoff's efforts to get into the baseball card business may not bear fruit.

Shortly after Pacific had its MLB Player's Association license revoked in November 2000 (partially due to the Manny Ramirez corked bat card incident and mostly due to making fake game-used cards in 2001 Private Stock Baseball) rumors of Playoff finally getting the licenses it had long coveted began to fly again. Those rumors came to fruition in February 2001 it was announced that Playoff -- had at last received permission to produce Major League Baseball cards. They quickly announced that their first baseball card set (2001 Donruss) would be released that April.

With nearly three years of pent-up demand -- not the mention the novelty of it being the first completely original baseball card product from Playoff -- loyal Donruss collectors immediately began to place pre-sell orders with their local hobby dealers. (Many of those same dealers were disappointed to find out that they would be limited to only one six-box hobby case.) In early April 2001 Donruss Baseball went live. The result: a big "thud", but only to dealers. Collectors were having a field day with the Retail release as the 2000 Retro (pack in a pack) 90-card sets were selling easily for $100.00 a set on eBay making all the other cards pulled in the retail boxes they were buying free!

In their haste to produce their first real baseball card product, Playoff essentially recycled the same formula that had successfully worked for them in football cards. In fact, the parallels between the 2001 Donruss Baseball and 2000 Donruss Football sets are uncanny to say the least. Both sets have roughly the same number of cards (220 in baseball versus 250 in football), and both had an MSRP of $1.99/pack. However, both products relied heavily on a gimmick that was becoming commonplace in football cards, but had never, ever, before appeared in a base level baseball brand.

2001 Donruss was the first entry level baseball trading card product to feature short-printed and serial-numbered rookie cards. While short-printing may have appealed to the football card audience, unfortunately, by limiting the production of each "Rated Rookie" to only 2001 copies (not including the Albert Pujols and Ben Sheets exchange cards -- each limited to 500), D-P made the decision, whether they knew it or not (and they probably didn't) to abandon the one segment of the market that traditionally purchases base level baseball card products. The segment that had been the cornerstone of the Donruss brand since 1981: Set builders.

In retrospect, some felt Playoff screwed up the comeback edition of Donruss baseball. As a result, many long-time Donruss baseball collectors, simply gave up on Donruss Baseball. But it opened up a far greater mass of collectors who finally found a product that favored collectors far more than dealers. Even though Ichiro and Pujols RC's were very rarely pulled from Retail boxes, collectors were still loving these retail boxes. This caused dealers to start emptying retail store shelves of 2001 Donruss Retail!

What Playoff failed to realize, and never really quite understood, was that football card collectors and baseball card collectors are two completely different breeds of hobbyist. What works in football, may not (and usually does not) necessarily work in baseball. For instance, 70-100 rookies in a football product worked...but that plan bombed miserably in baseball...and Playoff ignored this no matter how many collectors complained.

# 56 (20th Anniversary)

STAT LINE CAREER Parallel # 56 - Numbered 081/295

1999 RETRO # 10
Although they are NOT serially numbered, there were only 1,999 of these produced according to Sports Card Digest.

2000 RETRO # 12
Although they are NOT serially numbered, there were only 2,000 of these produced according to SCD.

RETRO STAT LINE CAREER Parallel # 12 - Numbered 253/352

DONRUSS - ELITE:

PRIMARY COLORS RED # PC-34 of 40 - Numbered 573/975

FLEER - TRADITION:

# 111

# 439 (Orioles Team Leaders Checklist)

FLEER - FOCUS:

# 42

FLEER - FUTURES:

# 112

FLEER - GAME TIME:

# 54

FLEER - GENUINE:

# 51

FLEER - PLATINUM:

# 69

FLEER - PREMIUM:

# 191

FLEER/SKYBOX - EX:

# 82

FLEER - TRIPLE CROWN:

# 52

FLEER - ULTRA:

# 139

GOLD MEDALLION Parallel # 139-G

DECADE OF DOMINANCE # 7 of 15-DD

MLB SHOWDOWN:

# 49

# 49 - 1st Edition

PACIFIC:

# 50 [Action]

A.L. DECADE'S BEST # 7 of 18

PACIFIC - PRIVATE STOCK:

# 17 (Retail Silver Common)
# 17 (Hobby Gold Common)

GOLD PORTRAITS Parallel # 17 - Numbered 15/75

PREMIERE DATE Parallel # 17 - Numbered 83/90

PS-206 Mini # 9

TOPPS:

# 626
# 626 - GOLD Parallel - Numbered 0211/2001

TOPPS - CHROME:

# 368

TOPPS - FINEST:

# 24

TOPPS - FUSION:

Topps Fusion is a 250-card set released in March 2001. The product attempted to fuse five of Topps' brand names (Bowman's Best, Finest, Gold Label, Stadium Club, and Gallery) all into one product.

Card numbers ending in a 1 or 6 are done in the style of Bowman's Best (refractive chromium stock); 2 and 7 Finest (etched chromium stock); 3 and 8 Topps Gallery (canvas); 4 and 9 Gold Label (thick plastic stock with holographic foil); and 5 and 0 Stadium Club (high-glossy and full bleed).

# 1 (Bowman's Best)
# 2 (Topps Finest)

TOPPS - GALLERY:

# 82

TOPPS - GOLD LABEL:

Class-1 # 3
Class-2 # 3

CLASS-2 GOLD - Numbered 120/699

TOPPS - HD:

# 54

TOPPS - OPENING DAY:

# 136

TOPPS - STARS:

# 88

TOPPS - STADIUM CLUB:

# 119

UPPER DECK:

# 329

UPPER DECK - BLACK DIAMOND RC EDITION:

# 19

UPPER DECK - HOME RUN DERBY:

HEROES # HD-8

UPPER DECK - SPx:

# 18

UPPER DECK - SWEET SPOT:

# 14

UPPER DECK - VICTORY:

# 638 [Victory's Best]

UPPER DECK - VINTAGE:

# 73

2 0 1 1

TOPPS - LINEAGE:

# 140

2 0 1 2

TOPPS:

GOLDEN MOMENTS # GM-21 (Swing for the Ages)

TOPPS - GYPSY QUEEN:

# 225

TOPPS - TRIBUTE:

GREEN Parallel # 4 - Numbered 58/75

TOPPS - UPDATE:

1987 TOPPS MINI # TM-142

GOLDEN MOMENTS # GM-U22 (Belle Tolls for 50th Time)

2 0 1 4

TOPPS:

UPPER CLASS # UC-36

TOPPS - STADIUM CLUB:

# 112

2 0 1 5

TOPPS - STADIUM CLUB:

# 31

SINCE WE LIVE IN THE AGE OF RETROSPECTION, CARD COMPANIES THRIVE ON RELEASING CARDS THAT HONOR/LOOK BACK FONDLY ON PLAYERS OF THE PAST - BELLE SHOULD BE NO EXCEPTION - IF YOU RUN ACROSS ANY TO HELP ME FILL IN THESE MISSING YEARS, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH.