January 2012 Group Break - 1998 Pinnacle Performers packs 3-14

My first impression of this product is mixed.  The cards are really thin, but I like the design and from what I've seen on the inserts online there are some nice ones to be had.  Let's see what we pull from the next round of packs.


Pack 3:
#022 Kenny Lofton (Indians)
#065 Richard Hidalgo (Astros)

#001 Ben Grieve - Launching Pad (A's)
#105 Henry Rodriguez (Expos)
#133 Ricky Ledee (Yankees)
#085 Al Martin (Pirates)

#040 Tim Salmon (Angels)
#088 Shawn Estes (Giants)
Swing for the Fences points card

All of the inserts are seeded 1:3 through the production line so I'm not sure what inserts are easier to pull than others.  The Launching Pad inserts feature shiny foil board.

Pack 4:
#100 Mike Cameron (White Sox)
#068 J.T. Snow (Giants)
#030 Roberto Alomar (Orioles)
#057 Dante Bichette (Rockies)
#027 Larry Walker (Rockies)
#103 Jeff Suppan (Diamondbacks)
#131 Javier Valentin (Twins)
#110 Vinny Castilla (Rockies)

#029 Barry Bonds - Swing for the Fences (Giants)

Did we just get the entire Rockies team set in one pack?!

Pack 5:
#098 Eric Young (Dodgers)
#036 Tino Martinez (Yankees)

#009 Cal Ripken - Launching Pad (Orioles)
#005 Greg Maddux (Braves)
#086 Rusty Greer (Rangers)

#143 Chipper Jones (Braves)
#126 Juan Encarnacion (Tigers)
#148 Checklist

#038 Chipper Jones - Swing for the Fences (Braves)

A Ripken insert and 2 Chippers - I'd call that a good pack!

Pack 6:
#150 Checklist
#025 Ivan Rodriguez (Rangers)
#055 Fred McGriff (Rays)
#128 Richie Sexson (Indians)
#016 Mark McGwire (Cardinals)
#008 Tony Gwynn (Padres)

#051 Barry Larkin (Reds)
#069 Jason Giambi (A's)
Swing for the Fences points card

Mr. Hall of Fame Barry Larkin.  I know someone that will want that card!

Pack 7:
#012 Nomar Garciaparra (Red Sox)
#079 Denny Neagle (Braves)
 
#001 Frank Thomas - Big Bang #d 03002/10000 (White Sox)
#078 Ray Lankford (Cardinals)
#004 Alex Rodriguez (Mariners)

#117 Paul Konerko (Dodgers)
#142 Greg Maddux (Braves)

#125 David Ortiz (Twins)

#012 Ken Griffey Jr. - Swing for the Fences (Mariners)

Another great pack!  The Big Bang cards are serially numbered...but to a typical 90's production number.  The card itself looks great with etched foil.

Pack 8:
#033 Paul Molitor (Twins)
#097 Todd Walker (Twins)
#049 Jay Buhner (Mariners)
#119 Miguel Tejada (A's)
#149 Checklist
#082 Omar Vizquel (Indians)
#054 Edgar Martinez (Mariners)
#087 Bobby Bonilla
Swing for the Fences points card

Pack 9:
#099 Brett Tomko (Reds)
#007 Chipper Jones (Braves)
#058 Jim Edmonds (Angels)
#124 Eli Marrero (Cardinals)
#104 Robin Ventura (White Sox)

#003 Cal Ripken (Orioles)
#084 Kevin Appier (Royals)
#039 Bernie Williams (Yankees)
Swing for the Fences points card

Pack 10:
#101 Karim Garcia (Diamondbacks)
#121 Ben Grieve (A's)
#145 Tony Gwynn (Padres)

#014 Hideo Nomo (Dodgers)
#064 Ken Caminiti (Padres)

#130 Enrique Wilson - Peak Performers (Indians)
#017 Scott Rolen (Phillies)
#032 Manny Ramirez (Indians)
#031 Ken Caminiti - Swing for the Fences (Padres)

Peak Performers are foil parallels - sharp looking too.

Pack 11:
#098 Eric Young (Dodgers)
#036 Tino Martinez (Yankees)
#049 Jay Buhner (Mariners)
#005 Greg Maddux (Braves)
#086 Rusty Greer (Rangers)
#143 Chipper Jones (Braves)
#126 Juan Encarnacion (Tigers)
#148 Checklist

#032 Vinny Castilla - Swing for the Fences (Rockies)

Pack 12:
#038 Chuck Knoblauch (Yankees)
#067 David Justice (Indians)
#094 Jose Guillen (Pirates)
#015 Roger Clemens (Blue Jays)
#056 Moises Alou (Astros)
#122 Travis Lee (Diamondbacks)
#102 Brian Jordan (Cardinals)
#130 Enrique Wilson (Indians)

#030 Ellis Burks - Swing for the Fences (Rockies)

Rockies seem to be doing pretty good thus far.  2 packs in a row w/ an insert.

Pack 13:
#053 Tom Glavine (Braves)
#081 Jason Kendall (Pirates)
#062 John Smoltz (Braves)

#118 Todd Helton (Rockies)
#138 Ken Griffey Jr. (Mariners)

#102 Brian Jordan - Peak Performers (Cardinals)
#034 Mike Mussina (Orioles)
#096 Jeff Abbott (White Sox)
Swing for the Fences points card

Pack 14:
#033 Paul Molitor (Twins)
#032 Manny Ramirez (Indians)
#017 Scott Rolen (Phillies)
#119 Miguel Tejada (A's)
#149 Checklist
#082 Omar Vizquel (Indians)
#054 Edgar Martinez (Mariners)
#087 Bobby Bonilla (Marlins)
Swing for the Fences points card

That was a disappointing pack as it was mostly duplicates.  We've still got another 10 packs before this box is done so we'll see about getting so more cards for the teams lacking like the Brewers, Marlins, Rays, Reds & Royals.