I Put 2004 Fleer InScribed in its Place

Okay, look – I’m not saying you have to put Junior into every single insert. What I am saying is that I’m going to notice when he doesn’t make it into ANY inserts, particularly those with a very general theme or ones he completely deserves to be a part of. And when I notice, I’m callin’ you OUT.

Talking to you, 2004 Fleer InScribed.

Yeah, I know you’re a brand built around autographs, and Junior was under an exclusivity contract with Upper Deck when it comes to those. I don’t care. There are no fewer than two inserts, one with the most general theme ever and a whopping 30 cards in the checklist (yes, THIRTY, his uniform number – another missed opportunity) with NO GRIFFEY. This is unacceptable.

Hence, I am going into this post with a very negative outlook and probably a fair amount of attitude. You know what? Scratch that “probably.”

2004 Fleer InScribed #21

Yeah, it’s a great-looking base card. It’s a little sparse, but it’s also symmetrical and balanced and makes excellent use of limited color. And it's a sweet bunt shot. I really like it IN THE ANGRIEST WAY POSSIBLE.

If this card was Sparsetown, the back would be the mayor. Huge swaths of white, heavy letter spacing in the nameplate, and a five-year stat box where they could have easily fit ten. I like the signature facsimile at the bottom, but did they have to stick the team logo right over it? Why not below?

Again, I actually like the base card a lot, but I find it hard to admit so because I am so heavily biased.

Here’s why:

This is the jersey gold version of the Names of the Game insert. Names of the Game is an insert that focuses on player nicknames. Of course, Ken “The Kid” Griffey, “Junior” didn’t make it into this insert because he doesn’t have any cool nicknames.

There was also an Award Winners insert that Junior, winner of numerous Gold Gloves, champion of multiple Home Run Derbys, MVP of the 1992 All-Star Game, seven-time Silver Slugger, and 1997 MVP of the freakin’ American League, was not in because, you know, not enough awards and all.

It's no wonder why you lasted only one year. Maybe a few more Griffeys and you'd have stuck around a bit longer.

I hate you, Fleer InScribed, and I SUPER hate that capitalized S in your brand name. You look like an angsty teen’s AOL chat room screen name from 1996.

g0 “InScribe” y0uR$eLpH

2006 Allen & Ginter: The Triumphant Return of Ginter, I Guess

In 2006 Topps gave us one of the most popular and enduring sets of this century when they rebooted the long defunct Allen & Ginter brand (last seen when Grover Cleveland was president). The new cards are larger than their tobacco card ancestors, but they share the same simple design with a painted image and lavishly-fonted logo. While sparse, the aged-yellow card backs are a charming recreation of the originals, spelling out numerical stats in words and proudly heralding each card’s subject as one of “The World’s Champions,” a title Topps continues to honor their card subject with to this day. Yes, even Incredibeard.

Now, I like this brand, but I’m going to word this next part carefully.

People really love Allen & Ginter, and it has grown into kind of a big deal. I find this funny because I (like many of you, I’m sure) had never heard of this beyond-vintage tobacco brand before I ran into the modern set. Suddenly everybody knows about Ginter cards and many of you even collect originals now because of it. Heck, even I have one:

I bought it because in addition to being stunningly
beautiful, it's also a cool rapper name.

I’m willing to bet the market for A&G originals from the 1800’s has never been better because of Topps, but it still seems strange to me that the themes and quirks of the original sets are so far-removed from today’s collectors and yet we are meant to embrace them as part of our cardboard heritage.

Take the N43 box toppers, for example. I was already vaguely aware of tobacco cards, but I find it difficult to celebrate these things. They pre-date my grandparents by half a century – I don’t know what they are or why they are called “N43.” There was never a moment when I thought, “Wow, they’re bringing back N43’s? Ugh, FINALLY.” They’re as alien to me as a textbook on Chinese dentistry.

The same is true about the no-number cards. I can’t relate to the fact that some cards were printed with no numbers in 1887. Who can? This is not an exciting prospect. Now if they decided to recreate the “no name on front” cards from 1990 Topps, I imagine I could get excited about that because, you know, I was alive at the time.

And every card says “Brooklyn, New York” on it. When I first saw that I thought, “Pretty sure Griffey plays in Cincinnati, guys. And Brooklyn hasn’t had a team for a hot minute.” I figured out later that it was a reference to original Ginter cards printing their home office location of “Richmond, Virginia” on every card. Now how was I supposed to know that?

I should reiterate that I do like this set and love original Ginter cards - they’re beautiful, tangible little bits of history you get to hold and collect. And I should mention that as a whole the brand seems to get better every year (though I’m still partial to the ’06 design). But the whole concept is still very strange to me, and I doubt I’ll ever get over it.

That said, Ginter is bigger than ever. In addition to the myriad set-builders across all facets of card collecting, there are huge box-break contests, puzzles, secret codes hidden in sets, and all manner of mini parallels in varying colored back printing and hand-numbered ink. The 2006 set, however, was a lot simpler. At only eight cards (possibly eleven?), two of which are actually box toppers, this is the shortest Griffey checklist of any modern Ginter set.

It also includes one of the ugliest baseball cards ever created. We’ll get to that one later.

2006 Topps Allen & Ginter #5 SP

Griffey’s regular base card is an SP (set builders LOVE SP’d base cards). The image they used is a tasteful one – just our guy standing with a bat on his shoulder and a mysterious Mona Lisa smile. Nice looking card.

2006 Topps Allen & Ginter #5 SP Mini

Here is the mini version which is actually pretty tough to track down. Minis were one per pack, but this is a mini of an SP. I, like Night Owl, prefer the mini to the full-sized card all day.

There are parallels in this set that include black borders, A&G back, and cards missing their card numbers, but I have never been able to find an example of any of these for the Griffey. I suspect those parallels do not exist for the SP base cards, but I could be wrong. Any help here would be appreciated.

Sadly there are no relics for the Kid in ’06 Ginter – I say “sadly” because I like Ginter relics. They are mounted on minis which are then framed in plastic adorned with tropical imagery. Cardboard Connection calls these “the hobby equivalent of a Hawaiian shirt.” That pretty much nails it.

It’s cool, though. They made up for no Griffey relics with the worst Griffey card I’ve ever seen:

2006 Topps Allen & Ginter Dick Perez Collection #7

Now I’m not one to poo-poo Dick Perez. The man has some great work out there, and I respect the authority of his sweet uncle beard. There are even a few cards in this very insert that are damn attractive (A-Rod, Bonds, and Todd Helton are a few favorites). But THIS.

This is just a dumpster fire. Junior looks like a burn victim who was attacked by a swarm of bees. Go ahead – fuzz your eyes a little. It still doesn’t look right. I want the 1/1 original not only as a Griffey card, but as an artistic oddity.

The back offers a peek at Dick’s accomplishments (omitting his years of work with Donruss), but ends with what feels like an advertisement for Topps Perez prints. That's too bad. This insert should have been one of the greatest of the decade.

2006 Topps Allen & Ginter N43 Box Loader #N43-10

If you though ’89 Bowman cards were a pain in the butt to store, get a load of these big, square jobbers. They are based on the 1888 N43 set because, let’s face it, everybody knows and loves the N43 set. It depicts the rare mini version of Junior’s base card among plants, an old-timey baseball photo, and some flags that I can only assume read “Detroit” and “Phila.” The back is a numberless checklist of other guys who got the big, square card treatment.

Someone figured out that these fit right to the edge of a top loader in width, so two top loaders taped together sandwich-style does the trick. That’s the only way I’ve ever seen these cards, so I’m used to seeing them darkened by two layers of top loader plastic. The first time I ever removed this one from its case was to make the scan you’re looking at now.

There are probably a handful of ultra-vintage collectors who got the reference when these came out, but to me they are an unwieldy nuisance.

Here are the Griffeys I still need from 2006 Topps Allen & Ginter:

#5 Mini A&G Back SP ?
#5 Mini Black SP ?
#5 Mini No Number SP ?
#364 mini exclusives checklist (in rip cards only)
Dick Perez Collection #7 Original 1/1
Rip Card #RIP28 #/99
Postcards #AGP-KG

That postcard isn’t too expensive, and from what I’ve seen of the other postcards I definitely want one of my own. Here’s an image of the Griffey postcard:

“Cincinnati is the place where I thought I would be happy.” Oof – it’s worded like a homesick kid’s letter from camp. I’ve got to have one.

I hope I didn’t offend any of you Ginternauts out there – I know there are a lot of you. Again, I like the cards – it’s the concept I find strange. If it’s any consolation, I’m one of the weirdos who likes ’95 Fleer.

Thanks for reading!

One of Those Trade Posts That's, Like, a Bunch of Trade Posts

The time for trades and trade posts is NOW. With Mardi Gras entering full-swing tomorrow evening, I'm going to be indisposed for the next week, then after that it's going to be doctors' appointments and finishing the nursery and umpteen other things before this baby comes. I have my work cut out, fellow card collectors, but I'm up to it.

On top of that, one of the issues with not being able to fully access Blogger from work is that it's harder to keep up with trade posts. Before I would simply upload images in a logical order at home and write the words the next day at work during my down time (which can be rather ample, especially around Mardi Gras when pretty much the entire city is checked-out). Sadly, that is no longer possible.

Tonight I decided to sit and quantify exactly how behind on trade posts I've gotten: eighteen. I am eighteen trade posts behind.

I suck.

Here are a few to get that number a little lower:

AJ aka The Lost Collector sent me a PWE with two "cards" in it. Those parentheses are because one of the cards is a mini poster from the unsung but markedly above-average 1998 Fleer Sports Illustrated. It's kind of the perfect swing shot. You're damn right I'm counting this one as a card.

Also in that package was this oddball autograph from way back in '92. I've seen an autographed version of this bad boy (that's your cue, magicpapa!), but I have no immediate plans to chase it. This reg version will do nicely for now.

Thanks, AJ! As always, I've got a ton of nice Yankees set aside just for you.

The hilarious Thorzul sent me an awesome package of Mariners stars that I believe qualifies as a Bipping. First, some Tinos:

Here's Tino back when he played for the right team (just kidding, AJ) as well as a not-so-easily-found Topps Black Gold certified redemption card.

We're not to the bipping yet, but this is a very nice selection of '90's Edgars including the infamous Ring Leaders insert that just insists that you look at it first.

I know what you're thinking - still not the bipping.

Again, some high-quality 90's insert and what may be my favorite non-Griffey-cameo Buhner card of all time.

.....aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnndddddddddd......................

There it is. There's your Bip. Nine copies of Buhner's '92 Upper Deck Homerun Heroes card. Ridiculous. I like that we get to see the little bat boy in the background here. Adorable.

Thank you, Thorzul! I'm still on the lookout for '92 and '93 Topps Golds for your set build. Those are tough to come across. Somebody go pull Thorzul's trigger! I've been tempted on more than one occasion...

A package filled with shiny 90's Griffeys in top loaders is one thing, but check out what Brad of Brad's Blog sent along with these:

This is truly one of the great inserts of the 90's. I have no idea what made PSA give this little beauty a 7 - it looks near-perfect to me. This card even made my Top 30 Griffey Acquisitions of the Year list along with the die-cut parallel I had to pay out the ear for.

Amazing card, Brad. I'm not worthy. I owe you big for this one.

Here's some great PC additions from Jim at GCRL along with another one of those Katrina batting helmet stickers I've started collecting. Good eye!

Wilson had a bizarre stance as you can see on that late-issue Pacific base card, but the man made it work. Thank you, Jim! It's been a while, but you know I have some double-plays and Dodger love set aside for you.

Kerry of Cards on Cards, in addition to being a PWE master, also seems to be a master of timing.

I had literally just learned that this insert comes in three different foil colorways when I came home to a PWE from Kerry that included this gold version of Junior's 1st Home Run insert from 2015 Series 2. I already had the silver, so finding one in the mailbox the day I learn it exists was a treat.

Kerry also threw in Chuck Finley's almost-sunset card. He had only one more Topps base card in the 2003 set with the Cardinals before hanging it up. Too bad - I'd like to have seen a return of the Chuckstache. Oh, well. Thanks, Kerry!

Angus of Dawg Day Cards sent this selection of Super Star Collectable Action Marbles (yes, they misspelled "collectible" right in the title) because they have a Griffey in them and so that I could make sure the non-Griffey marbles can make it out to the right people. I'm finally ready to begin doing just that. I know the package is a little dinged up, but the marbles inside are perfect. He also included a pair of sealed oddball minis, but the scan I took of them didn't come out all that well. Doesn't matter - I'll also be shipping them off to other bloggers in the coming weeks. Thanks, Angus! These are pretty cool.

This looks like the regular Leaf Certified Materials base card, but there is a small difference that's hard to spot for most people. Not Josh of Royals and Randoms, though.

See that little "Sample" on the top? I almost missed it myself. Josh sent me this Griffey need MONTHS ago, and I finally found the scan to show you fine people. I already have a few neat Royals I got special at the LCS to send your way. Thanks a bunch!

Thanks to all you guys for the goodies. It's amazing to come home to an envelope or little yellow bubble mailer full of surprises. Y'all are awesome trade buddies. There more trade posts coming starring Gavin, Corey, Chris, Larry, Doug, Fuji, Jeff, Wes, and Greg. Look out for those, and thanks for reading!

The Great Griffey Frankenset: Page 16

Welcome to Page 16 of the Great Griffey Frankenset!

If you're not familiar with the idea of a frankenset, it is a customized set of cards properly sequenced by card number that all tie into a connecting theme. Some frankenset themes include whole teams, mini-collections, and even just generally great cards or photos. This is the first frankenset I'm aware of that is made up of just one player: Ken Griffey, Jr., the man of a million cards. I took the liberty of including things like inserts, parallels, cameos, and oddballs for the sake of variety and because it's just more fun that way. Enjoy!

[Note: When this page was originally published there was no Griffey card #141, so we used 2007 Topps Moments & Milestones #46 RBI 141 Black #/29 as a placeholder. 2018 Donruss Optic has done us the service of giving Junior a legitimate card #141 in their base set, so I have updated this page and the stats on the following pages.]

Here is page 16 of the Great Griffey Frankenset:

Completeness of page: 9/9

Completeness of the Frankenset so far: 100% (144/144)

Team distribution so far: Mariners: 102/144 (71%), Reds: 39/144 (27%), White Sox: 1/144 (1%), No team indicated: 2/144 (1%)

Approximate retail value of this page: $81.50 ($2999.25 running total)

Page 16 Notes: Here we are, folks. This is the page that contains our first hole. There doesn’t seem to be a legitimate Griffey #141, so I’ve made a concession to ensure no blank spaces in the Frankenset. Yes, this space has a big ol’ asterisk on it as the card is not really card #141, but it’s as close as we’re going to get until somebody issues a Griffey numbered 141. You hear me, Topps, Upper Deck, and Panini? Need a Griffey #141 here. A little help…? Nevermind - we're good! Thank you, Panini!

Page 16:

136. 1999 Upper Deck Encore #136 Homer Odyssey

This card makes me smile. It’s a baseball card tribute to an ancient Greek poem. What? Cute name, and the columns really hammer it home.

137. 1999 Skybox Premium #137

Team–colored motion lines? Epic slide? Yes, please.

138. 2001 Topps Fusion #138 (Topps Gallery Awards Gallery #28)

Here is the Topps Gallery Griffey from the bizarre Fusion set which gave us a little taste of five different Topps products in a single set. There are two other Griffeys in this product, but I believe I’ve made it abundantly clear that I’m a Gallery guy through and through. Sadly, the closest thing we have to this kind of set nowadays is Archives. I’d love to see Fusion come back with retired players.

139. 2006 Ultra #139 Gold Medallion

Sure, late Ultra designs began to run together, but there’s no denying the greatness of that nameplate or the accompanying home run hero shot complete with dropped bat.

140. 2013 Topps Update Tony Gwynn #US140 SP (cameo)

One of my greatest pack pulls of all time and certainly one of the greatest Griffey cameo cards. Oh, and without a doubt my favorite Tony Gwynn card ever-ever.

141. 2018 Donruss Optic #141 Holo Aqua #/299

This was an empty slot for years until Donruss Optic finally released a Griffey card numbered 141. The only work left to do was pick a nice parallel. This Holo Aqua is the nicest of those I own, so here it is. When will our next void in the Frankenset come? We are definitely getting up there in numbers...

142. 1999 Upper Deck UD Choice #142

UD Choice was never as good as Collector's Choice, but you can't fault Junior's base card for that. Not one bit.

143. 1994 Sportflics 2000 #143

I don’t care for most lenticular cards. They tend to be blurry, hard to scan, and only a small number of them look presentable to adult me. This one, though, has a colorful back and is one of the best-looking cards of its kind. Check out that great moving nameplate.

144. 1998 Fleer Sports Illustrated #144 Baseball's Best Overall Player

 A bit generic design-wise, but who am I to nay-say a giant blue ribbon that heralds The Kid as “Baseball’s Best Overall Player?” Sports Illustrated knows exactly how to win me over. This thing could have been a crayon drawing on looseleaf paper and it would still be on this list (provided it was numbered appropriately, of course).

Here is the back of Page 16:

 Thanks for reading, and look for Page 17 next week!