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Card of the Day: 1990 Upper Deck Kevin Maas rookie

Posted in Card of the Day with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 17, 2008 by Cardboard Icons

**Note: With the All-Star game taking place this week at Yankee Stadium, I will spend the next several days showcasing cards from my Yankee collection.

The Yankees have always produced legends. Ruth. Gehrig. Mantle. But for each one of those guys who have had their names, faces and resumes engraved in bronze and placed in Monument Park, there are dozens of other legends whose accomplishments, or lack thereof, are engrained in the minds of fans and particularly of baseball card collectors. In 1990, the hobby had two major budding superstars: Ken Griffey Jr. and Frank Thomas. But at Yankee Stadium there was another youngster with apparent Ruthian power trying to make a name for himself. That was Kevin Maas. Continue reading →

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Card of the Day: 2004 Sweet Spot Signatures Ichiro autograph

Posted in Card of the Day with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 11, 2008 by Cardboard Icons

I’ve finally netted myself an Ichiro autograph. The card featured here, 2004 Sweet Spot autograph, has been in my collection now for four days and I am still in awe staring at it. Since Ichiro broke into the Big Leagues in 2001, I’d always wondered if one day I would own one of his signatures. He’s a great player with a world-wide fan base, and because of this transcontinental love fest for Ichiro, the prices of his collectibles are nearly higher than anyone else. And when it comes to autographs, we’re talking a whole different ballgame, which makes this acquisition of mine even finer. Ichiro had an exclusive autograph deal with Upper Deck during the early years of his MLB career. Neither Topps, nor Donruss, nor Fleer could produce an Ichiro card baring his signature. Continue reading →

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Card of the Day: 1993 Upper Deck Then and Now Mickey Mantle

Posted in Card of the Day with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 10, 2008 by Cardboard Icons

Some 15 years ago, I was addicted to hologram cards like many of the other collectors. They were the thing to have, and pretty neat if I don’t say so for myself. In 1989 Upper Deck started using holograms to make their cards counterfeit proof, and then they took it to another level in subsequent years when they created hologram team logo stickers, which they placed into packs, and then player insert cards. First it was the Heroes of Baseball set, then there was the 1991 Hank Aaron and 1992 Ted Williams hologram inserts. But in 1993, Upper Deck created a set called Then and Now, as pictured to the left. I loved this set. The cards were seeded 1 in every 27 packs, or about one per box, and displayed older and newer images of select players, primarily hall of famers. I busted a ton of 1993 Upper Deck (don’t ask why) and each time I opened a pack and saw a hologram peaking out at me I gasped. Continue reading →

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