The Final Countdown: '90s Base Edition IV

The next installment of my favorite Base Sets of the 1990s will continue with one that has been featured here at the Home of the Toddfather twice (that I can remember).

But first let us recap...

#5 - 1995 Score
#4 - 1995 Topps Embossed
#3 - 1997 Leaf

Now for the RUNNER-UP...1994 Fleer Extra Bases!!!

The reason? Isn't it obvious?

I love the photography! Ha!

These over size beauties took their place in my heart on an afternoon trip to the entertainment capital of East Tennessee, Pigeon Forge. My dad bought a package for himself, mom and me just wanting to explore the possibilities. Needless to say, the size was what actually won me over.

Measuring at 2 1/2" x 5 1/8", they were by far the biggest cards I'd ever seen. And honestly the photography is not to shabby either. Nice vibrant colors in all the pictures.

If I had to pick a downfall to the set, it's relatively obvious as well...the design. Fleer must have put all its smarts into the measurement of the card and not the layout. They did do a good job of selling the cards size instead of the design, though. You wouldn't want to overpower the sheer size with so gaudy nameplate.

Overall, this set is an A+ for me.

What do you think?

The Final Countdown: '90s Base Edition III

Here I go again (...on my own).

Ok, guys it is time to reveal number three on the 1990s Base Set Countdown. Let's review first...

#5 1995 Score

#4 1995 Topps Embossed

Two set from '95 are on the list. While number three keep the streak alive? Drum roll, please...

My THIRD FAVORITE set from the '90s...1997 Leaf.

1997 Leaf to me is so, what's the word I'm looking for? Oh, elegant compared to others from this decade. Could we draw the parallels to say Tribute and Five Star?

I think so, which would explain why I don't own many of these.

Photography, in my humble opinion, is very good. Love the shots of Brantley showing some emotion and Lankford fighting his way back to the back. (At least he didn't get Hrbeked like Ron Gant.)

The defined, yet undefined silver borders on the sides with the fading out as it gets closer to the player is a really nice touch.

The design with the Leaf logo and team names is pretty rockin' too.

My only gripe with these are the names in bronze cursive. The cursive I don't mind, but bolding the writing so you didn't have to hold the card in the correct amount of light to read it would be nice. (See Lankford above.)

 No big changes to the Rookies in the set. The only addition to denote the RCs in the set is the "Rookie" on each side of the Leaf logo on the banner. Not too flashy like the huge RC logo Upper Deck, Fleer and Topps used circa 2007.

Like the 1995 Topps Embossed, feel free to send me any extra '97 Leaf you have lying around. Or better yet, if anyone knows of a hobby box for sale somewhere, hook a brother up!

As always, thoughts and comments are welcome. Not sure if you feel the same about number three. Definitely curious.

Takin' Care of Business: eBay and Trade Loot

Good evening, my friends.

I will be taking a break from my Top 5 '90s base sets tonight to show off some of the awesome stuff I've scored off "da Bay" and through trades.

I know. I know. You're disappointed that I've put a hold on the Countdown. Just try to control yourself. It will be back tomorrow with #3.

First up is a card that I've waited quite awhile to get my hands on...Well, at least, since the 2013 Flagship debuted.

I FREAKIN' LOVE THIS AWESOME CARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At first, I thought this "relic" card was a patch, i.e. Allen & Ginter. I was more excited to discover is was a miniature Silver Slugger Award in the card!!! SWEET!!!

Maybe my new favorite card!

If you're not keeping count, I'm just two cards away from having the whole 2013 Todd Helton Collection. Actually, it kinda makes me sad. Only six Heltons in all the 2013 sets so far.

FYI, I'm missing the team set card and the Heritage Esteemed Heritage Booklet Knob, which I'll probably never even see in my lifetime.

Check out the CarGo trio of Triple Play! I'm digging the background.

Even picked up the Freeman sticker from the same seller. Where's my easy button?

This Heritage duo came from a trade on CCW. I joined about a month ago and have completed five trades and two pending. A Traders Paradise. Reminds me of a song...

Finally, I received a package from Zenus over at The Prowling Cat. Some nice former Rox, as well as a few set needs and this...

I can honestly say this the first Team Schedule in my Helton Collection. Thanks, Zenus. Your package is coming shortly, sir.

Not too shabby for a Countdown break, right?

The Final Countdown: '90s Base Edition Part II

Continuing the countdown tonight, I'll be revealing my fourth favorite set from the 1990s. To review first:

#5 - 1995 Score

Now to NUMBER FOUR...1995 Topps Embossed!!!

Honestly, who doesn't love the first cards to actually have the players image embossed on the cardboard? Pure genius, especially to a young, impressionable Tim.

The photography is mediocre, good at best. But it doesn't really matter with this set. All 140 cardboard gods uplifted from the cardboard itself. The cool, yet weird feeling of rubbing your fingers across the surface. The awe of the realization that you own a card as cool as these. What could be better?

The cool, yet weird feeling of rubbing your fingers across the surface. The awe of the realization that you own a card as cool as these. What could be better? (Well, three other sets from the 90s, but who's keeping track?)

Even cooler that the "common base cards" are these sweet Award Winner cards. Take in all the glory of Mike Piazza crouched behind the plate in front of an epic silver background. That sweet silver design even makes Bob Hamelin look good.

Side note: Whatever happened to him anyway?

That my friends is número cuatro. Thoughts? Feelings?

Also, if you have any '95 Topps Embossed you are looking to dump, look no further. I'm no where near close to this one being done, so any cards, except for those shown, could surely be used.

The Final Countdown: 90's Base Edition

While I have juggled around the idea, I have yet to do any kind of countdown here at the Home of the Toddfather.

Well, that is about to change.

Starting tonight, I will be featuring my top 5 base sets of the 1990s.

Why the '90s, you ask? That, my friends is when I got my start as an eager young card collector. Why, I remember going to the Revco and buying pack upon pack of 1992 Score and Upper Deck with my dad.

In this countdown, I will not be featuring off the wall crazy sets like Topps Tek, nor will it including sets like  UD Collector's Choice SE (even though I like the blue borders better than the white). Also, these will be Base Sets, which obviously means no parallels or inserts.

I would also like to encourage you to comment on any set you see. Whether good or bad, I'm curious as to everyone's opinion.

Let's get started.

Coming in at number five...........1995 SCORE

In my opinion, this was the year when Score started to pull away from Topps, Donruss, Fleer and Upper Deck. I like the design. And what a great idea of using green and brown. Reminds me of...a baseball field.

While I did like what Donruss, Upper Deck and even Fleer did in 1995, I'll buy a box of Score any day. Honestly, they're just more aesthetically pleasing. 

And chock-full of great action shots like this Rafael Belliard and the Neon Deion above.

Who doesn't love the simple, yet freaking sweet design on these Rookie cards. Nice white border with the players spilling out of the shot onto said border. 

Too bad Green and A-Roid were the biggest names in the bunch.

Score did decide to mix things up between Series One and Two. The 1994 Highlights, part of Series One are basically typically cards. Crisp shots, not too busy with the lettering and logos.

These, though, are my favorites by far from the set. So different from everything else Score had put out thus far. They are just awesome cards.

You think that's a regular look from ole Joey. What a mean-looking sob!!! (See Fernando Vina.)

One down. Four to go. Any thoughts?

Something Different...

Happy Monday, my friends!

Before I get into this whole "different" thing, I'd like to take the time to show my respects for the man that changed the face of not only baseball, but AMERICA!!!

Thank you, Jackie Robinson for your courage, sacrifice and honor. You will forever be appreciate by black and white players, coaches and fans of all sports.

Now I'd like to tackle the topic of PWEs.

I FREAKING LOVE THEM AND THE IDEA!!!

But I have a way to make mine unique. I know your thinking, "Tim, what are you talking about, you fool?"

Well, friends, if you haven't visited This Way to the Clubhouse, here's my explanation.

I will not longer be sending Plain White Envelopes. I will be sending Colored Envelopes.

No, not the kind you get with greeting cards, but I will be hand coloring each that I send to match what is in the envelope.

That may be the most childish thing you've ever heard of, but at least you know where it came from as soon as you open your mailbox.

I have already sent two, so be on the lookout for poorly colored envelopes (PCEs).

Feels Like the First Time: Trade Post

I don't know about the rest of you, but I love receiving random emails from bloggers/readers I've never dealt with before. Whether a "hey enjoy your blog" or "got some stuff you might be interested in", I squeal with joy (on the inside of course) when reading.

I've gotten quite a few here lately from some really swell guys, Greg from The Collective Mind and Roger from Sportscard Mask-a-Rade. And boy have they both hooked me up!!!

Greg contacted me in regards to my 1994 Fleer Extra Bases post. In addition to knocking out about half of my Extra Bases needs, Greg shipped some '88, '92 and '95 Score, '07 Fleer, '06 and '07 Topps and '10 Topps Update.

Those weren't even the coolest things in the package.

Two Inaugural Spring Training Programs

Four tickets stubs from said season 

And a 1995 Spring Training Program. Sweet, right!!!

Just five short days ago, Roger emailed me with a trade proposal. Today, I received my portion of the goodies. Much needed help!

A Nice start with the Pujols Calling Card. By the way, I'm just missing one now.

I was stoked knowing Roger was sending the Harper for this set. That's one guy I'm glad I don't collect!

I love these Cut to the Chase inserts. Long way to go on them, though. I guess it's not just me that likes the shiny.

One of the only times I'm glad to see a couple Yanks make the cut.

I don't know why I'm having such a hard time with this set. I really should get on the ball.

Thanks be to Greg and Roger for their fine array of cardboard (and paper) send my way. You guys are awesome. I hope to hear from you both soon!

An eBay Update

It's been awhile since I've showcased my heralded eBay pick-ups. So what better time than now.

I've not been extremely busy on the "bay", as the kids refer to it nowadays, but I have been able to some pretty sweet cards for relatively cheap.

I'm not a huge fan of 2013 Heritage, but I've been busy trying to buy and trade, mostly trade, my way to a complete sweep on my PCs. The same seller had the CarGo and Tulo Purple Chromes for less than a great price. Throw in combined shipping, and I made out like a bandit.

I'm probably in the minority on this one, too, but the 2013 manupatches are freaking awesome!!! I had to add one, and since the Bautista was cheaper than Cespedes...Well, I think the scan says it all.

SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!

The guy at my LCS has been trying to get me to pop on this 1996 Topps Power Boosters Helton for a long time. I finally did, but for around a quarter of the price. He wanted $8. I paid $2.80 and got an extra Helton rookie for free. Too bad I already had it. Oh well.

Back to the 2013 madness. Just another PC add for less than a buck, $.46 to be exact. I could get use to the Emeralds.

I had not planned on acquiring this Tulo jersey from Chasing History. It was more of an "impulse buy", if you will. Saw it, liked it, got it. That's pretty much it. I'm also a sucker for black patches for some reason, too.

Finally, for a whopping $.30, I added this 2013 Bowman Platinum Longo. Not bad for three dimes.

You know, I've chronicled my financial hardships and my love for collecting. These cards are a great example of spending wisely and partaking in the hobby. Let's just say, I made a cake and ate it, too.

Or however that goes.

Anyone Need These?

I have finally decided that the 2013 Chasing History inserts are not for me. So, if anyone is in need, check what I've got and let me know if you're interested.

Gold

Roberto Clemente #2

Ken Griffey, Jr. #18

Frank Thomas #25

Stan Musial #29

Alex Rodriguez #42

Willie Mays #47

Holographic

Carlos Santana #7

Babe Ruth #11

Lance Berkman #16

Reggie Jackson #20

Frank Thomas #25

Adam Dunn #30

Derek Jeter #37

Mark Buerhle #44

Silver 

Lou Brock #14

Ken Griffey, Jr. #18

Frank Robinson #21

David Wright #24

Robin Yount #34

Jim Thome #39

Mark Buehrle #44

Willie Mays #47

Paul Konerko #48

Who's Next?

Indeed, who is next? But what would I be referring to?

Goldberg's next opponent

The next American Idol?

The next crappy Reality television series?

No, here's my quandary. Who is the next mediocre/good '90s player to be featured on a Topps baseball card? Let's start in 2011, shall we?

Albert (Joey) Belle was a force to be reckoned with in the 1990s. Five-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger recipient, MVP runner-up, 351 home runs, 1099 RBI. No chance for the HoF. I didn't have a big problem with this card or even the Larry Walker that showed up in the '11 Lineage set. They were both very instrument on their teams during the '90s, but this is what started the whole situation.

2012 is where Topps started crossing the line with it's Five Star set. Granted, Kruk is great on Baseball Tonight. One of the funniest men in sports broadcasting...But did his career deserve a card in the "high end" set Topps produced.

The same goes for Paul O'Neill. He was good for the Bronx Bombers in the '90s, even clutch at times, but really?

Finally, we come to 2013 Gypsy Queen. Jim Abbott was an inspiration to children in the late 80s and early 90s winning 18 games for the Halos in 1991. Abbott, though, never topped more than 11 wins in a season for the rest of his career and only had a winning record in three of those seasons.

Don't get me wrong. They were good enough in their day and by no means do I mean to disrespect any of these players. Heck, I have some of those I collect (see Freddy Sanchez). But give them a card in this decade?

Really? Really?