1st Impressions: 2008 Upper Deck Update

Upper Deck will finish off their flagship baseball card set with a 200-card Update set.

So what, you say. OK, here's the cool part: UD is going old school by issuing it exclusively as a factory set. In other words, its an update set the way an update set should be.

But wait, there's more! Each set will be packaged in a custom-fit box big enough to fit the whole 1000-card set.

Upper Deck Baseball is truly "The Collector's Choice."

Street Date: November 4th.

UPDATED!!!! 1st Impressions: Various Topps Late-Season Products

UPDATED!!!!

Updates & Highlights

The sell sheets for TU&H have been posted for a while on this one. There are the usual inserts, and one-per-box autogamers. But the selling point is, of course, the 330-card base set.

A certain player who should have been card #645 in series two, is listed on the checklist as card #UH1. Then again, this is Topps, and given their track record this year I wouldn't put it past Topps to find a way to gimmick this up as well.

Stadium Club Retail

2008 Stadium Club is starting to look a lot like last year's Ultra SE after all, as Topps will release a stripped down version for retail. That the good news. The bad news: I finally figured out what's actually in Stadium Club.

Of the 150 cards in the base set, 50 are gimmicked "rookies" each numbered to only 1499 copies. If that's not bad enough, while each Hobby five-card pack will have a base rookie, retail has a "Retail Exclusive Rookie First Day Issue Parallel Card." So, are we supposed to believe that the base set rookies are Hobby-exclusive and the retail (read: the version for non-Joe Collectors) is stuck with a one-per-pack parallel?

That would royally suck.

Topps Heritage High Numbers

UPDATE:

Base Set: 220 cards (numbered 501-720). 45 cards are of rookies, 35 will be short-printed -- no odds stated.

Each pack will have two cards from the Topps Updates & Highlights set -- therefore giving you an excuse NOT to buy TU&H.

Inserts: 15 Rookie Performers, 10 Then & Now, 10 2008 Flashbacks.

Two Chrome/Refractors per waxbox.

One Autogamer per waxbox.

Street Date: Oct. 13

Always Be Collecting: 2003 Fleer Tradition

2003 Fleer Tradition

Base Set: 485 cards

• Short Prints: 100 cards (one-per Hobby pack, 1:12 retail)
• short set: 385 cards

Inserts:

• '36 Goudey: 25 cards (numbered to 1936, Hobby exclusive; Gold: numbered to 36, Hobby Exclusive; Red: numbered to 500, retail exclusive)
• Checklist: 15 cards (1:4)
• Hardball Preview: 10 discs (1:400 Hobby, 1:480 retail)
• Lumber Company: 30 cards (1:10 Hobby, 1:12 retail)
• Milestones: 25 cards (1:5 Hobby, 1:4 retail)
• Standouts: 15 cards (1:40 Hobby, 1:72 retail)

Autogamers:

• Tradition Game Used: 44 cards (1:35 Hobby, 1:90 retail; Gold: numbered to 100)
• Lumber Company Game Used: 24 cards (1:108 Hobby, 1:195 retail; Gold: production varies)
• Milestones Game Used: 14 cards (1:143 Hobby, 1:270 retail; Gold: numbered to 100)

Packaging: 40 pack, 10-card Hobby boxes; 24 pack, 10-card retail boxes; 10 pack, 10-card Blasters.

Notable "Cards": Blaster exclusive Barry Bonds pin.
Other Notes:

• Based on the design of various 1970s-era MSA disc sets, the Fleer Hardball inserts were a promo for the upcoming set of the same name. Never heard of 2003 Fleer Hardball? Don't worry, you didn't miss much.
• Speaking of forgettable... Five years after including an insert based on the 1963 set, Fleer went to the well again by designing the whole 2003 Fleer Tradition around the '63s.
• Among the 100 Short Prints are 34 players active in 1963 who did not appear in the original '63 Fleer set.
  
• Backs of unnumbered Checklists form puzzles of Derek Jeter and Barry Bonds.
  

Full Set: $150 (NmMT)


2003 Fleer Tradition Update

Base Set: 398 cards

• short set: 285 cards
• "Pack" Rookies: 14 cards (1:4)
• "Box" Rookies: 99 cards (25-per"Rookie" Box.)

Parallels:

• Glossy: 885 cards (1:24 retail, randomly inserted into Hobby, numbered to 100) Includes cards from both Fleer Tradition and Fleer Tradition Update.
  

Inserts:

• Diamond Debuts: 25 cards (1:8 retail, 1:10 Hobby)
• Long Gone!: 20 cards (1:72 retail, randomly inserted into Hobby, production varies from 410-536 copies)
• Milestones: 20 cards (1:6 retail, 1:8 Hobby)
• Turn Back the Clock: 10 cards (1:160 Hobby, 1:288 retail)

Autogamers:

• Milestones Game Jersey: 16 cards (1:20 Hobby, 1:96 retail; Gold: numbered to 100)
• Throwback Threads: 5 cards (1:64 Hobby, 1:288 retail; Patch: numbered to 100)
• Throwback Threads Dual: 2 cards (numbered to 100)

Packaging: 32 pack, 10-card Hobby waxboxes w/25-card "Rookie" box as a chiptopper; 24 pack, 10-card retail boxes; 10 pack, 10-card Blasters.
Notable Cards: Hideki Matsui, Delmon Young, Chien-Ming Wang RCs
Other Notes:

• In a rather confusing (and in retrospective downright stupid) packaging gimmick, each Hobby waxbox contained a 25-card "Rookie" box. The final 99 cards in the base set were only available in this box and not in packs.
• More of a second series than a true "Update" set. Includes base cards such players as Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, Curt Schilling and Alfonso Soriano -- all of whom were not included in Fleer Tradition.
• Last year for Fleer Tradition Update.
  

Full Set: $150 (NmMT)

Always Be Collecting: 2002 Fleer Tradition

2002 Fleer Tradition

Base Set: 500 cards

• Short Prints: 100 cards (1:2, stealth)
• short set: 400 cards

Parallels: Glossy (numbered to 200)
Inserts:

• Diamond Tributes: 15 cards (1:6 Hobby, 1:10 retail)
• Grass Roots: 10 cards (1:18 Hobby, 1:20 retail)
• Heads Up: 10 cards (1:36 Hobby, 1:40 retail)
• Lumber Company: 30 cards (1:12 Hobby, 1:20 retail)
• This Day in History: 29 cards (1:18 Hobby, 1:24 retail)

Autogamers:

• Grass Patch: 10 cards (limited to 50 copies)
• Lumber Company Bat: 30 cards (1:72)
• This Day in History Autographed: 8 cards (production varies from 50-100 copies)
• This Day in History Game Used: 22 cards (production varies from 50-250 copies)

Packaging: 36 pack, 10-card Hobby waxboxes; 10 pack, 10-card Blasters.
Other Notes:

• Design based on the 1934 Goudey set.
• One year after screwing over set builders with a factory set, collectors take it in door number two again after it is discovered that the first 100 cards in the base set are short-printed. Fleer never mentioned anywhere in run-up to Tradtion's release that there were any SPs.

Full Set: $200 (NmMT)


2002 Fleer Tradition Update

Base Set: 400 cards

• Prospects: 100 cards (one-per-pack)
• short set: 300 cards

Parallels: Glossy (numbered to 200)
Inserts:

• Diamond Debuts: 15 cards (1:6)
• Grass Roots: 10 cards (1:18)
• Heads Up: 10 cards (1:36)
• New York's Finest: 15 cards (1:83)
• Plays of the Week: 30 cards (1:12)
• This Day in History: 25 cards (1:12)

Autogamers:

• Grass Patch: 7 cards (numbered to 50)
• Heads Up Game Used Caps: 11 cards (numbered to 150)
• New York's Finest Single Swatch: 20 cards (1:112)
• New York's Finest Double Swatch: 6 cards
• This Day in History Autographs: 6 cards (1:582)
• This Day in History Game Used: 20 cards (1:28)

Packaging: 28 pack, 10-card Hobby boxes; 10 pack, 10-card Blasters
Notable Cards: Oliver Perez RC
Other Notes:

• First Update set released in pack form since 1996.
• Largest Fleer Update set ever.
  
• First 100 cards in set short-printed, but at least Fleer had the courtesy to state that they were SPed.
• Designs and names of most inserts were recycled from the base set.
  

Full Set: $120 (NmMT)


2002 Fleer

Base Set: 540 cards
Parallels:

• Gold Letters (15% of total production run)
• Minis (numbered to 50, retail exclusive)
• Tiffany (numbered to 200, Hobby exclusive)

Inserts:

• Barry Bonds Career Highlights: 10 cards (1:12 Hobby, 1:36 retail)
• Diamond Standouts: 10 cards (serial numbered to 1200)
• Golden Memories: 15 cards (1:24)
• Headliners: 20 cards (1:8 Hobby, 1:12 retail)
• Rookie Flashbacks: 20 cards (1:3, retail exclusive)
• Rookie Sensations: 20 cards (numbered to 1500, Hobby exclusive)
• Then and Now: 10 cards (numbered to 275, Hobby exclusive)

Autogamers:

• Barry Bonds Career Highlights Autographed: 10 cards (numbered to 25 each)
• Classic Cuts Autographs: 9 cards (1:432, Hobby exclusive)
• Classic Cuts Game Used: 94 cards (1:24)
• Classic Cuts Game Used Autographs: 3 cards (limited to 35 or 45 copies)

Packaging: 24 pack, 10-card Hobby packs; 10 pack, 10-card Blasters.

Notable Cards: Classic Cuts
Other Notes:

• A one-off product, 2002 Fleer is not considered to be part of the Fleer/Fleer Tradition "lineage."
• Despite this, many collectors consider this set to be a superior product to 2002 Fleer Tradition.
• Hobby exclusive Rookie Sensations and retail exclusive Rookie Flashbacks have the same 20-card checklist.
• Barry Bonds Career Highlights use the same design as the 1992 Roger Clemens Career Highlights insert.
  

Full Set: $100 (NmMT)

Always Be Collecting: 2000 Fleer Tradition

2000 Fleer Tradition

Base Set: 450 cards + 50 Glossy exclusive "Prospects"
Inserts:

• Dividends: 15 cards (1:6)
• Grasskickers: 15 cards (1:30)
• Hall's Well: 15 cards (1:30)
• Ripken Collection: 10 cards (1:30)
• Ten-4: 10 cards (1:18)
• Who to Watch: 15 cards (1:3)

Autogamers:

• Fresh Ink: 37 Autographs (1:144, hobby exclusive)
• Glossy Lumberjacks: 45 Bat Cards (one-per-Glossy Set, production varies from 30 to 809 copies)

Packaging: 36 pack, 10-card Hobby and retail waxboxes; Glossy factory sets.
Notable Cards: Ripken Collection inserts, Glossy Rookies.
Other Notes:

• The product that single-handedly kicked off the "retro" themed craze of the 2000s.
• Lauded as the best product of 2000.
  
• Base set is a dead-ringer for 1954 Topps.
• Cards printed on "shoebox gray" stock without any foil stamping or glossy coating.
• 10,000 serial numbered "Glossy" factory sets produced. Each set included five of 50 Glossy exclusive Prospects (each card serial numbered to 1000) and a Lumberjack bat card.
• Lumberjacks, the first game used element in Fleer/Fleer Tradition.
  

Full Set: $50 (NmMT)
Full Glossy Set (factory): $60 (NmMT)


2000 Fleer Tradition Update

Base Set: 149 cards
Autogamers: Mickey Mantle game jersey (1:80 sets)
Notable Cards: Johan Santana and Barry Zito RCs
Other Notes:

• Card #50 (believed to be C.C. Sabathia) was pulled from the set after he was taken off the Indians 40-man roster.

Full Set (factory): $25 (NmMT)

Always Be Collecting: 1998 Fleer Tradition

1998 Fleer Tradition

Base Set: 600 cards (350 in the first series, 250 in the other)

• Short Set: 535 cards (310 in the first series, 225 in the other)
• Smoke 'n Heat: 10 cards (1:6, series one)
• Golden Memories: 10 cards (1:6, series one)
• Tale of the Tape: 20 cards (1:4, series one)
• Unforgettable Moments: 25 cards (1:4, series two)

Inserts:

• Vintage '63: 128 cards (one-per-pack Hobby pack; Classic '63: numbered to 63; cards #1-63 and a checklist in series one, #64-126 and a checklist in series two)
• Diamond Standouts: 20 cards (1:12, series one)
• Lumber Company: 15 cards (1:36, series one retail exclusive)
• Power Game: 20 cards (1:36, series one)
• Rookie Sensations: 20 cards (1:18, series one)
• Zone: 15 cards (1:288, series one)
• Decade of Excellence: 12 cards (1:72; Rare Tradition: 1:720, series two)
• Diamond Tribute: 10 cards (1:300, series two)
• In the Clutch: 15 cards (1:20, series two)
• Mickey Mantle Monumental Moments: 10 cards (1:68; Gold: numbered to 51, series two)
• Promising Forecast: 20 cards (1:12, series two)

Packaging: 36 pack, 12-card Hobby waxboxes, 20 pack, 10-card retail waxboxes.
Notable Cards: Mickey Mantle's first Fleer card, Maggilo Ordonez and Mike Lowell RCs.
Other Notes:

• Fleer flagship brand renamed "Fleer Tradition."
• Mickey Mantle's first Fleer card -- released three years after his death.
• First short-printed base set cards.
• One-per-pack "Diamond Ink" cards allowed collectors to save "points" and redeem them for autographed baseballs.
  

Full Set: $150 (NmMT)


1998 Fleer Tradition Update

Base Set: 100 cards (one series)
Packaging: factory set
Notable Cards: J.D. Drew and Troy Glaus RCs.
Other Notes:

• First Fleer Update factory set since 1994.

Full Set (factory): $15 (NmMT)

Always Be Collecting: 1996 Fleer

1996 Fleer

Base Set: 600 cards (one series)
Parallels: Tiffany: 600 cards (one-per-pack)
Inserts:

• Checklists: 10 cards (1:6)
• Golden Memories: 10 cards (1:10)
• Lumber Company: 12 cards (1:9, retail exclusive)
• Postseason Glory: 5 cards (1:5)
• Prospects: 10 cards (1:6)
• Road Warriors: 10 cards (1:13)
• Rookie Sensations: 15 cards (1:11)
• Smoke 'n Heat: 10 cards (1:9)
• Team Leaders: 28 cards (1:9, Hobby exclusive)
• Tomorrow's Legends: 10 cards (1:13)
• Zone: 12 cards (1:90)

Notable Cards: Mike Sweeney RC (big frickin' deal)
Other Notes:

• After the visual disaster that was 1995 Fleer, '96 opted for a classic full-bleed look with a unique matte finish.
• Wrappers changed to fin-sealed coated waxpaper.
• First one-per-pack parallels.
  
• Still an insert in each pack, and randomly seeded "Hot Packs."

Packaging: 36 pack, 11-card waxboxes.
Full Set: $80 (NmMT)


1996 Fleer Update

Base Set: 250 cards
Parallels: Tiffany (one-per-pack)
Inserts:

• Diamond Tribute: 10 cards (1:100)
• Headliners: 20 cards (1:20, retail exclusive)
• New Horizons: 20 cards (1:5, Hobby exclusive)
• Smooth Leather: 10 cards (1:5)
• Soaring Stars: 10 cards (1:11)
  

Notable Cards: Tony Batista, Mike Cameron and Chris Singleton RCs were actually worth something.
Other Notes:

• Encore subset consists of non-traded, non-rookie, superstars.
• Diamond Tribute inserts are still worth something.
  

Packaging: 36 pack, 11-card waxboxes.
Full Set: $30 (NmMT)

Always Be Collecting: 1995 Fleer

1995 Fleer

Base Set: 600 cards (one series)
Inserts:

• All Fleer-9: 9 cards (complete set available via a wrapper redemption offer)
• All Rookies: 9 cards (complete set available via a 1:150/pack redemption card)
• All-Stars: 25 cards (1:3)
• Award Winners: 6 cards (1:24)
• League Leaders: 10 cards (1:12)
• Lumber Company: 10 cards (1:24, retail wax exclusive)
• Major League Prospects: 10 cards (1:6)
• Pro-Visions: 6 cards (1:9)
• Rookie Sensations: 20 cards (1:4, jumbo exclusive)
• Team Leaders: 28 cards (1:24, Hobby wax exclusive)
  

Packaging: 36 pack, 12-card waxboxes (Hobby and retail); 24 pack, 18-card jumbo boxes.
Notable Cards: The whole base set is notable for its six different base set designs, all equally ugly.

• In an effort to spur strike-induced flagging card sales, the marketing slogan for 1995 Fleer was "Different by Design."
• Base set featured six different (and distinct) designs, one for each of baseball's six divisions.
• Fronts ranged from mildly nauseating (AL West) to LSD flashback (AL Central) to epileptic seizure inducing (NL West).
  
• Still an insert in every pack, with the debut of "Hot Packs" containing nothing but inserts.

Full Set: $50 (NmMT)


1995 Fleer Update

Base Set: 200 cards (one series)
Inserts:

• Diamond Tribute: 10 cards (1:5)
• Headliners: 20 cards (1:3)
• Rookie Update: 10 cards (1:4)
• Smooth Leather: 10 cards (1:5, jumbo exclusive)
• Soaring Stars: 9 cards (1:36)

Packaging: 36 pack, 12-card waxboxes; 24 pack, 18-card jumbo boxes.
Notable cards: Hideo Nomo RC
Other Notes:

• First Fleer Update set released in pack form.
• Last Fleer jumbo pack product.
  
• One of a bazillion late-1995 sets to feature a Hideo Nomo RC.
  

Full Set: $15 (NmMT)

Always Be Collecting: 1994 Fleer

1994 Fleer

Base Set: 720 (one series)
Inserts:

• All-Rookies: 9 cards (complete set available via a 1:200/pack redemption card)
• All-Stars: 50 cards (1:2, wax exclusive)
• Award Winners: 6 cards (1:37)
• Golden Memories: 10 cards (one-per-"Blue" pack; jumbo version numbered to 10,000)
• League Leaders: 12 cards (1:17)
• Lumber Company: 10 cards (1:5, jumbo exclusive)
• Major League Prospects: 35 cards (1:6)
• Pro-Visions: 9 cards (1:12)
• Rookie Sensations: 20 cards (1:4, jumbo exclusive)
• Tim Salmon: 15 cards (cards #1-12: 1:30; cards #13-15 available via a wrapper redemption offer)
• Smoke 'n Heat: 12 cards (1:30)
• Team Leaders: 28 cards (1:6)

Autogamers: Tim Salmon Autographed (total of 2500 cards)

Packaging: 36 pack, 15-card waxboxes; 24 pack, 21-card jumbo boxes; 24 pack, 23-card Wal-Mart exclusive "Blue" packs.
Notable Cards: Nolan Ryan Smoke 'n Heat, Pro-Visions set.
Other Notes:

• Hands down, the greatest Fleer baseball set ever.
  
• The Gold Standard of what a base-level baseball card product should be.
• Classy and clean white-bordered set.
  
• First year of UV coating on both sides of the card, and gold foil stamping on each card.
  
• Over 200 inserts, each seeded at the rate of one-per-pack.
• Complete Pro-Visions set forms a nine-card mosaic.
  
• Debut of fin-sealed foil packaging.
  

Full Set: $50 (NmMT)


1994 Fleer Update

Base Set: 200 cards
Inserts:

• Diamond Tribute: 10 cards

Notable Cards: Alex Rodriguez's second best RC (enough said).
Other Notes:

• Last Fleer Update factory set for four years.

Full Set (factory): $50 (NmMT)

Always Be Collecting: 1992 Fleer

1992 Fleer

Base Set: 720 cards (one series)

Inserts:

• Roger Clemens Career Highlights: 15 cards (cards 1-12 exclusive to packs and Hobby factory sets, cards 13-15 available via a wrapper redemption offer)
• All-Stars: 24 cards (wax exclusive)
• Rookie Sensations: 20 cards (jumbo exclusive)
• Team Leaders: 20 cards (rack exclusive)
• Lumber Company: 9 cards (Hobby factory set exclusive)
• Smoke 'n Heat: 12 cards (retail factory set exclusive)

Autogamers:

• Roger Clemens Career Highlights Autographs
  

Packaging: 36 pack, 17-card waxboxes; 24 pack, 35-card jumbo boxes; 24 pack, 42-card rack boxes; Hobby and retail factory sets.
Notable Cards: Roger Clemens Autograph, Frank Thomas Rookie Sensation
Other Notes:

• In an effort to "keep up with the Joneses," Fleer dramatically improved the quality of the cards using metallic inks on both sides of the card and a smoother card stock.
• Design a reminder of pro sport's early-90s "teal craze."
  
• Waxpaper wraps were replaced with poly-plastic.
  
• Pack price increased to $1/waxpack.
• Base sort arranged alphabetically by team with American League teams followed by the National League.
  
• First autographed inserts.
• First foil-stamped inserts.
  
• Final year for factory sets.
• Pro-Visions moved to the base set.
• Jumbo exclusive Rookie Sensations kicked off the "insert mania" of the early-90s.

Full Set (factory): $20 (NmMT)


1992 Fleer Update

Base Set: 132 cards
Inserts:

• '92 Headliners: 4 cards

Packaging: Hobby exclusive factory set.
Notable Cards: Mike Piazza and Jeff Kent RCs
Other Notes:

• After years of overproduction and slow sales, '92 Fleer Update was printed to order.
• Production estimated to be equal to that of the 1984 Fleer Update set (about 12,000 sets).
  
• Iconic Mike Piazza RC.
• Addition of the '92 Headliners "insert."

Full Set (factory): $60 (NmMT)

Always Be Collecting: 1991 Fleer

1991 Fleer

Base Set: 720 cards (one series)
Inserts:

• Pro-Visions: 16 cards (12 "blacks" exclusive to wax and racks, four "whites" exclusive to factory sets)
• All-Stars: 10 cards (exclusive to jumbos)
• Box Bottoms: 9 cards
• World Series: 8 cards (exclusive to factory sets)

Packaging: 36 pack, 15-card waxboxes; 24 pack, 30-card jumbo boxes; 24 pack, 53-card jumbo boxes; 24 pack, 42-card rack boxes; factory sets
Notable cards: Pro-Visions inserts.
Other notes:

• Responsible for the "Great Yellow Printer Ink Shortage of '91."
• Largest Fleer base set ever.
• Full-color backs for the first time.
• All-Star inserts are a dead ringer for the '71 Topps Greatest Moments set.
• Pro-Visions are, and continue to be, "The Shit."
  

Full Set (factory): $10 (NmMT)


1991 Fleer Update

Base Set: 132 cards
Packaging: Hobby-exclusive factory set
Notable Cards: Jeff Bagwell and Ivan Rodriguez RCs

Full Set (factory): $5 (NmMT)

Always Be Collecting: 1990 Fleer

1990 Fleer

Base Set: 660 cards (one series)
Inserts:

• All-Stars: 12 cards (wax and cello exclusive)
• Soaring Stars: 12 cards (jumbo exclusive)
• League Leaders: 6 cards (rack exclusive)
• Box Bottoms: 28 cards
• World Series: 12 cards (factory set exclusive)

Packaging: 36 pack, 15-card waxboxes; 24 pack, 33-card cello packs; 24 pack, 45-card rack boxes; 24 pack, 43-card jumbo boxes; factory sets
Notable cards: Sammy Sosa, Larry Walker, Juan Gonzalez and David Justice RCs, Decade Greats subset errors.
Other Notes:

• One of the most (if not the most) overproduced baseball card sets ever.
• Design recycled for the 2004 Fleer Tradition set.
• First year for separate Hobby/retail factory sets.
• Last year for cellophane-wrapped "cello" packs.
• Debut of poly-wrapped "jumbo" packs.
  
• Rare bilingual version sold in Canada.

Full Set (factory): $15 (NmMT)


1990 Fleer Update

Base Set: 132 cards
Packaging: Hobby exclusive factory set
Notable Cards: Frank Thomas and John Olerud RCs
Other Notes:

• Unopened factory sets make a fine paperweight or door stop.
  

Full Set (factory): $4 (NmMT)

Always Be Collecting: 1989 Fleer

1989 Fleer

Base Set: 660 cards (one series)
Inserts:

• All-Stars: 12 cards (wax and cello exclusive)
• For the Record: 6 cards (rack exclusive)
• Box Bottoms: 28 cards
  
• World Series: 12 cards (factory set exclusive)

Packaging: 36 pack, 15-card waxboxes; 24 pack, 36-card cello packs; 24 pack, 42-card rack boxes; factory set; Glossy Tin factory sets
Notable Cards: Ken Griffey, Jr. RC, Randy Johnson "Marlboro" RC, and of course, Billy Ripken "Fuck Face" ERR.
Other Notes:

• The most infamous card of our time: The Billy Ripken "Fuck Face" card (and it's many variations).
• Randy Johnson "Marlboro" variation not discovered for ten years.
• Approximately 30,000 Glossy Tin sets produced.
• Final year for Glossy Tin sets.

Full Set (factory): $15 (NmMT)
Full Glossy Set: $100 (NmMT)


1989 Fleer Update

Base Set: 132 cards
Packaging: Hobby exclusive factory set
Notable Cards: Nolan Ryan 5000 Strikeout and Mike Schmidt retirement cards, Joey (Albert) Belle and Deion Sanders RCs
Other Notes:

• No Glossy Tin set produced.
• Lackluster rookie card selection.
  

Full Set (factory): $5 (NmMT)

Always Be Collecting: 1988 Fleer

1988 Fleer

Base Set: 660 cards (one series)
Inserts:

• All-Stars: 12 cards (wax and cello exclusive)
• Headliners: 6 cards (rack exclusive)
• Box Bottoms: 16 cards
• World Series: 12 cards (factory set exclusive)

Packaging: 36 pack, 15-card waxboxes; 24 pack, 28-card cello boxes; 24 pack, 45-card rack boxes; factory sets; glossy factory sets
Notable Cards: Tom Glavine, Edgar Martinez, Matt Williams and Mark Grace RCs, Tim Flannery with his surfboard.
Other Notes:

• First Fleer set of the overproduction era.
• Second-tier RCs of Ron Gant, Jack McDowell, Ellis Burks and Ken Caminiti.
• Approximately 40,000-60,000 Glossy Tin sets produced.

Full Set (factory): $15 (NmMT)
Full Glossy Set: $25

1988 Fleer Update

Base Set: 132 cards
Packaging: Hobby exclusive factory and Glossy Tin factory sets.
Notable Cards: Roberto Alomar, Craig Biggio and John Smoltz XRCs
Other Notes:

• Checklist arranged alphabetically by team.
• Last year for Update Glossy Tin set.
• Approximately 40,000-60,000 Glossy Tin sets produced.
  

Full Set (factory): $10 (NmMT)
Full Glossy Set: $25 (NmMT)

Always Be Collecting: 1987 Fleer

1987 Fleer

Base Set: 660 cards (one series)
Inserts:

• All-Stars: 12 cards (wax and cello exclusive)
• Headliners: 6 cards (rack exclusive)
• Box Bottoms: 16 cards
  
• World Series: 12 cards (factory set exclusive)

Packaging: 36 pack, 17-card waxboxes; 24 pack, 31-card cello boxes; 24 pack, 51-card rack boxes; factory sets; glossy factory sets
Notable Cards: Barry Bonds, Barry Larkin, and Bo Jackson RCs
Other Notes:

• Arguably the best Fleer set of the 80s.
  
• First factory-exclusive inserts.
• First Glossy "Tin" factory set. In fact, your humble correspondent's father set the type for the 1987 Glossy Tin box.
• Approximately 75,000-100,000 Glossy sets were produced.
  

Full Set (factory): $40 (NmMT)
Full Glossy Set: $80 (NmMT)

1987 Fleer Update
Base Set: 132 cards
Packaging: Hobby-exclusive factory set, and Glossy "Tin" set
Notable Cards: Mark McGwire, Greg Maddux XRC
Other Notes:

• Approximately 75,000-100,000 Glossy Update sets were produced.
  

Full Set (factory): $12 (NmMT)
Full Glossy Set: $15 (NmMT)

Always Be Collecting: 1986 Fleer

1986 Fleer

Base Set: 660 cards (one series)
Inserts:

• All-Stars: 12 cards (wax and cello exclusive)
  
• Then & Now: six cards (rack exclusive)
• Box Bottoms: eight cards
  

Packaging: 36 pack, 15-card waxboxes; 24 pack, 27-card cello boxes; 24 pack, 42-card rack packs; 660 card factory sets
Notable Cards: Jose Canseco RC, Don Baylor "Ouch"
Other Notes:

• First year for factory sets.
• First insert sets as we know them.

Full Set (factory): $40

1986 Fleer Update

Base Set: 132 cards
Packaging: Hobby-exclusive factory set
Notable Cards: Barry Bonds, Will Clark and John Kruk XRCs

Full Set (factory): $30

Always Be Collecting: 1985 Fleer

1985 Fleer

Base Set: 660 cards (one series)
Packaging: 36 pack, 15-card waxboxes; 24 pack, 28 card cello boxes; 24 pack, 42 card rack packs; 500 card vending boxes.
Notable Cards: Roger Clemens RC, Kirby Puckett RC
Other Notes:

• Debut of dual-player "Major League Prospect" cards.
• Decent second-tier RC class (Eric Davis, Orel Hershiser, Bret Saberhagen).
  
• For the first time since 1982, colored-coded borders.

Full Set: $60 (NmMT)

1985 Fleer Update

Base Set: 132 cards
Packaging: Hobby-exclusive factory set
Notable Cards: Darren Daulton XRC, Vince Coleman XRC, Ozzie Guillen XRC
Other Notes:

• What more needs to be said about a set whose "best" XRC is of Darren Daulton?
• Fleer should have saved those second-tier RCs for this set.
  

Full Set (Factory): $8 (NmMT)

Always Be Collecting: 1984 Fleer

1984 Fleer

Base Set: 660 cards (one series)
Packaging: 36 pack, 15-card waxboxes; 28 card, 24 pack cello boxes; 24 pack "triple wax" rack packs; 500 card vending boxes.
Notable Cards: Don Mattingly RC, Darryl Strawberry RC, Glenn Hubbard with his "special friend"
Other Notes:

• Another classic design.
• Lots and lots of wacky photos (e.g. Glenn Hubbard, Jay Johnstone, and Larry McWilliams).
  
• Waxboxes back down to 36 packs.
• First "World Series" subset.
• Checklists had photos of team managers.
• Design of 2004 Fleer Platinum loosely based on '84 Fleer.
  

Full Set: $50 (NmMT)

1984 Fleer Update

Base Set: 132 cards
Packaging: Hobby-exclusive factory set
Notable Cards: Roger Clemens XRC, Kirby Puckett XRC, Dwight Gooden XRC, Pete Rose pictured as a Montreal Expo.
Other Notes:

• One of the true "landmark" sets of the 80s.
  
• Fleer's first Update set.
• First Fleer factory set of any type.
• First Fleer Hobby only product.
• Printed-to-order. (Approximately 12,000 sets made.)
  

Full Set (factory): $300 (NmMT)

Because you demanded to see it....

Here it is. The Barry Bonds gamer I pulled out of that box of Topps Series 3.

Box Break and Review: 2007 Topps Series Three

Ladies and Gentlemen. What you are about to experience is an experiment in extreme baseball card gonzo journalism. Your humble correspondent will simulate the level of effort Topps has put forth in issuing Updates and Highlights Series Three, by writing this review at approximately that same level. Also, in an effort to amplify the gonzo process, this piece is being written in the haze of an awful hangover; as your correspondent attended last night's Cowboys vs. Eagles Sunday Night Football debacle.

"Buy the ticket to the Eagles game, take the ride!"

---

One box of 2007 Topps Updates and Highlights Series Three (paid $55)
36 packs per box, ten cards per pack (MSRP: $1.49/pack)

The Details:

Chiptoppers: One individually wrapped Chrome "Rookie" Refractor (55 cards, numbered to 415 copies)

Base Set: 330 cards (no short-prints)

Parallels:
"Red Letters:" 330 cards (2:1, "stealth" insert)
Gold: 330 cards (1:4, numbered to 2007)
First Edition: 330 cards (1:36)
Platinum: 330 cards (1:9700, one-of-one)

Inserts:
The Mickey Mantle Story: 15 cards (1:18)
Barry Bonds Home Run King: one card (1:36)
WS Watch: 15 cards (1:36)

Waste-of-Space Mirrors:
Mickey Mantle Home Run History: 100 cards (1:9)
A-Rod Road to 500: 25 cards (1:36)
Barry Bonds Home Run History: 22 cards (1:12)
Generation Now: 186 cards (1:4)

Autogamers*:
Barry Bonds Home Run King Autographed Relic: one card (1:278,000)
Barry Bonds Home Run King Relic: one card (1:5145, numbered to 756)
2007 Highlight Autographs: 26 cards (varies)
A-Rod Road to 500 Autographs: 25 cards (1:500,000, one-of-one)
Generation Now Autographs: 186 cards (1:11,000, one-of-one)
Mickey Mantle Home Run History Relic: 100 cards (1:5550)
1954 Mickey Mantle Reprint Relic: one card (1:73,000)
All-Star Stitches: 52 cards (1:45)
All-Star Patches: 52 cards (1:2500)
All-Star Dual Stitches: ten cards (1:5600)
All-Star Stitches Triples: ten cards (1:5600)

* One autogamer per box.

The Pulls:

Base Set: 253 of 330 (76.67%)
One double

Parallels:
72 "Red Letters"
9 Golds: J. Wilson, J. Salazar, C. Izturis, N. Perez, J. Accardo, T. Clippard, J. Coutlangus, B. Salmon, J. Verlander Season Highlight
1 First Edition: D. Jeter All-Star
1 Chrome "Rookie" Refractor: T. Buck

Inserts:
2 Mickey Mantle Story
1 Barry Bonds Home Run King
1 WS Watch: Tigers

Waste-of-Space Mirrors:
9 Generation Now: P. Fielder (#11), I. Kinsler (#5 & 19), K. Johjima (#9), J. Papelbon (#8, 28 & 31), C. Granderson (#2), J. Barfield (#24)
4 Mickey Mantle Home Run History: #406, 407, 408 & 411
3 Barry Bonds Home Run History: #735, 736 & 746
1 A-Rod Road to 500: #377

Autogamers:
1 Barry Bonds Home Run King Relic

The Review:

I think Ben Henry (who in the interest of full-disclosure, has done some consulting work for Topps) said it best on his blog:

"Topps' strategy towards their baseball card products has been somewhat predictable this year, and these developments only cement their reputation. It begs the question: Do they employ the worst quality-control staffers in the
business? Or do they have such a grim outlook towards their own product that they feel it won't sell without an error or two?"

By now you've undoubtedly heard about the squirrel card, the three different contrived variations of Joba Chamberlain, and the Game Jersey cards that are labeled as patch cards, and the patch cards labeled as regular old jersey cards. All of this wouldn't bother me if the rest of the product didn't suck.

The Bottom Line:

It's a shame that Topps no longer makes Updates and Highlights Series Three as a factory set. If they did, I'd gladly recommend that you buy one instead of a waxbox. You're not going to come close to a complete set, and most of the inserts you pull serve no purpose.

Since you can't get factory, save yourself the $55-$60 and see if you can find a hand-collated set.

Product Rating: 2 Gumsticks (out of five)

Topps' Latest Descent into Gimmickry

Here we go again....

http://www.beckett.com/estore/news/?eskin=subBB&a=8906&s=1

A CARD OF A FREAKIN' SQUIRREL!