August 2011 Group Break - 1996 Fleer (Packs #29-36)

This post will finish up this month's break.  I again thank everyone who signed up.  If you are also participating in next month's Topps Marquee break keep watching.  I know there is a lot of excitement building up for it.  I should also mention that I've already picked out 3 different early 2000 boxes that will yield lots of packs and at least 6 hits.  Best part is it looks like I can keep the price at around $10 shipped for a 2 team deal.  I don't want to give everyone "Group Break Overload" so I'll wait a bit before a formal announcement is made.  If you can't wait to know then shoot me an e-mail and I'll divulge the details.

Alright - to the last handful of 1996 Fleer packs.

Pack 29:

#369 David Nied - Tiffany (Rockies)

#14 Joe Carter - Team Leader (Blue Jays)
#478 John Franco (Mets)
#431 Delino DeShields (Dodgers)
#093 Charles Nagy (Indians)
#136 Jon Nunnally (Royals)
#974 Lyle Mouton (White Sox)
#280 John Olerud (Blue Jays)
#176 Frank Robinson (Twins)
#238 Ken Griffey Jr. (Mariners)
#034 Zane Smith (Red Sox)

Pack 30:

#499 Charlie Hayes - Tiffany (Phillies)

#01 Garret Anderson - Rookie Sensation (Angels)
#286 Rafael Belliard (Braves)
#248 Jeff Frye (Rangers)
#203 Geronimo Berroa (A's)
#012 Doug Jones (Orioles)
#582 Marvin Benard (Giants)
#538 David Bell (Cardinals)
#492 Toby Borland (Phillies)
#451 Shane Andrews (Expos)
#258 Dean Palmer (Rangers)

Pack 31:

#059 J.T. Snow - Tiffany (Angels)
#15 Quilvio Veras - Rookie Sensation (Marlins)
#033 Aaron Sele (Red Sox)
#323 Randy Myers (Cubs)
#117 Brian Maxcy (Tigers)
#346 Darren Lewis (Reds)
#412 Todd Jones (Astros)
#571 Brian Johnson (Padres)
#392 Terry Pendleton (Marlins)
#437 Todd Hollandsworth (Dodgers)
#503 Tom Marsh (Phillies)

Pack 32:

#502 Tony Longmire - Tiffany (Phillies)

#04 Tony Gwynn - Zone (Padres)
#269 Tony Castillo (Marlins)
#227 Tim Belcher (Mariners)
#382 Jerry Browne (Marlins)
#336 Jeff Brantley (Reds)
#287 Jeff Blauser (Braves)
#249 Benji Gil (Rangers)
#204 Mike Bordick (A's)
#013 Rick Krivda (Orioles)
#583 Barry Bonds (Giants)

Pack 33:
#579 Fernando Valenzuela - Tiffany (Padres)

#06 Greg Maddux - Smoke 'n Heat (Braves)

#07 Cal Ripken Jr. - Checklist (Orioles)
#446 Felix Rodriguez (Dodgers)
#332 Steve Trachsel (Cubs)
#154 Dave Nilsson (Brewers)
#193 Melido Perez (Yankees)
#483 Chris Jones (Mets)
#104 Dave Winfield (Indians)
#470 Tony Tarasco (Expos)
#449 Todd Worrell (Dodgers)

Pack 34:

#161 Greg Vaughn - Tiffany (Brewers)

#01 Kevin Appier - Smoke 'n Heat (Royals)
#411 Brian Hunter (Astros)
#570 Trevor Hoffman (Padres)
#391 Joe Orsulak (Marlins)
#436 Carlos Hernandez (Dodgers)
#502 Tony Longmire (Phillies)
#555 Danny Sheaffer (Cardinals)
#525 Esteban Loaiza (Pirates)
#369 David Nied (Rockies)
#297 Mark Lemke (Braves)

Pack 35:

#433 Chad Fonville - Tiffany (Dodgers)
#02 Ken Griffey Jr. - Post Season Glory (Mariners)
#183 Joe Girardi (Yankees)
#144 Mike Fetters (Brewers)
#108 John Doherty (Tigers)
#064 Ray Durham (White Sox)
#024 Jose Canseco (Red Sox)
#403 John Cangelosi (Astros)
#361 Ellis Burks (Rockies)
#314 Frank Castillo (Cubs)
#270 Domingo Cedeno (Blue Jays)

Pack 36:

#458 Mark Grudzielanek - Tiffany (Expos)

#02 Tony Gwynn - Road Warriors (Padres)
#295 Mike Kelly (Braves)
#244 Luis Sojo (Mariners)
#214 Steve Ontiveros (A's)
#050 Mike James (Angels)
#330 Sammy Sosa (Cubs)
#152 Mike Matheny (Brewers)
#353 Pete Schourek (Reds)
#419 Greg Swindell (Astros)
#578 Scott Sanders (Padres)

August 2011 Group Break - 1996 Fleer (Packs #21-28)

We'll pick back up with the 1996 Fleer box and rip another 8 packs.  Now, where were we?

Pack 21:
#002 Brady Anderson - Tiffany (Orioles)

#09 Frank Thomas - Golden Memories (White Sox)
#406 Tony Eusebio (Astros)
#364 Darren Holmes (Rockies)
#317 Matt Franco (Cubs)
#273 Alex Gonzalez (Blue Jays)
#231 Jay Buhner (Mariners)
#386 Andre Dawson (Marlins)
#340 Ron Gant (Reds)
#291 Tom Glavine (Braves)
#253 Roger McDowell (Rangers)



Can't go wrong with an insert of the Big Hurt!

Pack 22:
#545 Brian Jordan - Tiffany (Cardinals)

#07 Pedro Martinez - Smoke 'n Heat (Expos)

#03 Chipper Jones - Checklist (Braves)
#155 Joe Oliver (Brewers)
#194 Andy Pettitte (Yankees)
#484 Jeff Kent (Mets)
#217 Carlos Reyes (A's)
#513 Mike Williams (Phillies)
#058 Lee Smith (Angels)
#308 John Smoltz (Braves)
#598 Sergio Valdez (Giants)

That's a couple of Pedro Martinez cards now that have come out of the packs.  I'm kinda surprised no one grabbed the Expos.

Pack 23:
#423 Donne Wall - Tiffany (Astros)

#05 Karim Garcia - Prospect (Dodgers)

#06 Manny Ramirez - Checklist (Indians)
#355 Eddie Taubensee (Reds)
#157 Kevin Seitzer (Brewers)
#196 Ruben Sierra (Yankees)
#486 Robert Person (Mets)
#219 Todd Stottlemyre (A's)
#558 Allen Watson (Cardinals)
#056 Tony Phillips (Angels)
#306 Luis Polonia (Braves)

Wasn't Karim Garcia a total bust in the majors?

Pack 24:
#548 T.J. Mathews - Tiffany (Cardinals)

#02 Ken Griffey Jr. - Post Season Glory (Mariners)
#324 Jaime Navarro (Cubs)
#118 C.J. Nitkowski (Tigers)
#347 Hal Morris (Reds)
#413 Darryl Kile (Astros)
#572 Marc Kroon (Padres)
#393 Pat Rapp (Marlins)
#438 Eric Karros (Dodgers)
#504 Michael Mimbs (Phillips)
#553 Tom Pagnozzi (Cardinals)

If anyone wants this Griffey insert let me know as I had the Mariners and it's a double for me.

Pack 25:
#022 Luis Alicea - Tiffany (Red Sox)

#07 Alex Ochoa - Prospect (Mets)
#115 Jose Lima (Tigers)
#344 Mike Jackson (Reds)
#410 John Hudek (Astros)
#569 Dustin Hermanson (Padres)
#390 Robb Nen (Marlins)
#435 Dave Hansen (Dodgers)
#501 Kevin Jordan (Phillies)
#556 Ozzie Smith (Cardinals)
#524 Nelson Liriano (Pirates)

Pack 26:
#480 Butch Huskey - Tiffany (Mets)

#15 Greg Maddux - Team Leader (Braves)
#272 Carlos Delgado (Blue Jays)
#230 Darren Bragg (Mariners)
#385 Jeff Conine (Marlins)
#339 Mariano Duncan (Reds)
#290 Mike Devereaux (Braves)
#252 Kevin Gross (Rangers)
#207 Brent Gates (A's)
#016 Jamie Moyer (Orioles)
#586 Royce Clayton (Giants)

These Team Leader cards just don't scan so well.  The actual card is much brighter in color than the scan shows.

Pack 27:
#570 Trevor Hoffman - Tiffany (Padres)

#05 Randy Johnson - Smoke 'n Heat (Mariners)
#380 Kurt Abbott (Marlins)
#334 Bret Boone (Reds)
#285 Steve Avery (Braves)
#247 Will Clark (Rangers)
#202 Mark Acre (A's)
#011 Chris Hoiles (Orioles)
#581 Rod Beck (Giants)
#537 Allen Battle (Cardinals)
#491 Howard Battle (Phillies)

Pack 28:
#356 Jerome Walton - Tiffany (Reds)

#05 Jim Thome - Post Season Glory (Indians)
#036 Lee Tinsley (Red Sox)
#326 Mike Perez (Cubs)
#120 Clint Sodowsky (Tigers)
#349 Mark Portugal (Reds)
#415 Derrick May (Astros)
#574 Marc Newfield (Padres)
#395 Jesus Tavarez (Marlins)
#440 Ramon Martinez (Dodgers)
#506 Gene Schall (Phillies)

The timing of pulling this Thome card seems perfect.  I'm sure all of Cleveland has welcomed him back w/ open arms.

8 packs left to go.  I hope everyone is having fun so far.

August 2011 Group Break - 1996 Fleer (Packs #11-20)

We'll continue with more of the 1996 Fleer hobby box.  Still looking for the hobby only Team Leaders inserts as well as Zone.

Pack 11:

#322 Brian McRae - Tiffany (Cubs)

#07 Alex Ochoa - Prospect (Mets)

#02 Ken Griffey Jr. - Checklist (Mariners)
#422 Billy Wagner (Astros)
#379 Eric Young (Rockies)
#160 Jose Valentin (Brewers)
#199 John Wetteland (Yankees)
#489 Ryan Thompson (Mets)
#357 David Wells (Reds)
#162 Fernando Vina (Brewers)
#201 Bernie Williams (Yankees)

Pack 12:
#567 Tony Gwynn - Tiffany (Padres)

#07 Ryan Klesko - Tomorrow's Legends (Braves)
#527 Orlando Merced (Pirates)
#371 Bryan Rekar (Rockies)
#299 Greg Maddux (Braves)
#468 Tim Scott (Expos)
#166 Chuck Knoblauch (Twins)
#126 Tom Goodwin (Royals)
#083 Albert Belle (Indians)
#043 Chili Davis (Angels)
#004 Armando Benitez (Orioles)

Pack 13:

#411 Brian Hunter - Tiffany (Astros)

#94 Randy Johnson - Post Season Glory (Mariners)
#003 Harold Baines (Orioles)
#182 Tony Fernandez (Yankees)
#143 Jeff Cirillo (Brewers)
#107 Chad Curtis (Tigers)
#063 Jason Bere (White Sox)
#023 Stan Belinda (Red Sox)
#402 Craig Biggio (Astros)
#360 Dante Bichette (Rockies)
#313 Larry Casian (Cubs)

Pack 14:

#019 Rafael Palmeiro - Tiffany (Orioles)

#02 Ken Griffey Jr. - Post Season Glory (Mariners)
#062 Luis Andujar (White Sox)
#022 Luis Alicea (Red Sox)
#401 Derek Bell (Astros)
#359 Jason Bates (Rockies)
#312 Jim Bullinger (Cubs)
#268 Joe Carter (Blue Jays)
#226 Bobby Ayala (Mariners)
#381 Alex Arias (Marlins)
#335 Jeff Branson (Reds)

Pack 15:

#309 Terrell Wade - Tiffany (Braves)

#13 Juan Gonzalez - Team Leader (Rangers)
#518 Midre Cummings (Pirates)
#476 Paul Byrd (Mets)
#429 Juan Castro (Dodgers)
#095 Tony Pena (Indians)
#422 Billy Wagner (Astros)
#282 Ken Robinson (Blue Jays)
#076 Mike Sirotka (White Sox)
#240 Randy Johnson (Mariners)
#178 Dave Stevens (Twins)

Pack 16:

#525 Esteban Loaiza - Tiffany (Pirates)

#03 Orel Hershiser - Post Season Glory (Indians)
#04 Greg Maddux - Checklist (Braves)
#055 Troy Percival (Angels)
#222 John Wasdin (A's)
#536 Kevin Young (Pirates)
#053 Orlando Palmeiro (Angels)
#102 Jim Thome (Indians)
#593 John Patterson (Giants)
#447 Kevin Brown (Dodgers)
#333 Todd Zeile (Cubs)

Pack 17:

#345 Barry Larkin - Tiffany (Reds)

#07 Eddie Murray - Golden Memories (Indians)
#140 Joe Vitiello (Royals)
#284 Mike Timlin (Blue Jays)
#078 Larry Thomas (White Sox)
#242 Bill Risley (Mariners)
#212 Doug Johns (A's)
#038 Mo Vaughn (Red Sox)

#328 Ryne Sandberg (Cubs)
#122 Lou Whitaker (Tigers)
#351 Reggie Sanders (Reds)

Pack 18:

#223 George Williams - Tiffany (A's)

#01 Tom Glavine - Post Season Glory (Braves)
#134 Brent Mayne (Royals)
#278 Sandy Martinez (Blue Jays)
#072 Dave Martinez (White Sox)
#236 Alex Diaz (Mariners)
#174 Jeff Reboulet (Twins)
#032 Troy O'Leary (Red Sox)
#322 Brian McRae (Cubs)
#116 Felipe Lira (Tigers)
#345 Barry Larkin (Reds)

Pack 19:

#297 Mark Lemke - Tiffany (Braves)

#02 Roger Cedeno - Prospect (Dodgers)
#141 Ricky Bones (Brewers)
#105 Danny Bautista (Tigers)
#061 Wilson Alvarez (White Sox)
#021 Ricky Aguilera (Twins)
#400 Jeff Bagwell (Astros)
#358 Roger Bailey (Rockies)
#311 Scott Bullett (Cubs)
#267 Roberto Alomar (Blue Jays)
#225 Rich Amaral (Mariners)

Pack 20:

#265 Dave Valle - Tiffany (Rangers)

#08 Ruben Rivera - Prospect (Yankees)
#006 Kevin Brown (Orioles)
#185 Scott Kamieniecki (Yankees)
#146 David Hulse (Brewers)
#110 John Flaherty (Tigers)
#066 Ozzie Guillen (White Sox)
#026 Vaughn Eshleman (Red Sox)
#405 Doug Drabek (Astros)
#363 Andres Galarraga (Rockies)
#316 Kevin Foster (Cubs)

August 2011 Group Break - 1996 Fleer (Packs #1-10)

First off let me say how refreshing it was to open packs and NOT have the cards all stick together!  I wish Topps would for once drop the UV coating as these matte cards are super nice.  Yes - the gold foil is still prevalent, but I can handle it since I don't have the shiny finish on the rest of the card.

OK - now to the play by pack results!  Remember that each pack contains 11 cards including 1 Tiffany parallel and 1 out of 10 different inserts.  This is a hobby box and the Team Leader cards are hobby exclusive.  The only odds given are that the inserts range from 1:4 to 1:90 packs.

Pack 1:

#391 Joe Orsulak - Tiffany (Marlins)

#01 Yamil Benitez - Prospect (Expos)
#470 Tony Tarasco (Expos)
#164 Ron Coomer (Twins)
#124 Johnny Damon (Royals)
#081 Paul Assenmacher (Indians)
#041 Brian Anderson (A's)
#002 Brady Anderson (Orioles)
#181 David Cone (Yankees)
#142 Chuck Carr (Marlins)
#106 Joe Boever (Tigers)

Pack 2:

#200 Bob Wickman - Tiffany (Yankees) 

#01 Tom Glavine - Post Season Glory (Braves)
#554 Mark Petkovsek (Cardinals)
#526 Al Martin (Pirates)
#370 Steve Reed (Rockies)
#298 Javy Lopez (Braves)
#469 David Segui (Expos)
#165 Marty Cordova (Twins)
#125 Gary Gaetti (Royals)
#082 Carlos Baerga (Indians)
#042 Garret Anderson (Angels)

The Post Season Glory set is the smallest (5 cards) of all the inserts and from what I remember when I bought a lot of this in 1996 one of the more common inserts.

Pack 3:

#236 Alex Diaz - Tiffany (Mariners)

#06 Greg Maddux - Smoke 'n Heat (Braves)
#560 Brad Ausmus (Padres)
#515 Jacob Brumfield (Pirates)
#473 Tim Bogar (Mets)
#426 Mike Blowers (Dodgers)
#098 Jim Poole (Indians)
#190 Jack McDowell (Yankees)
#460 Tim Laker (Expos)
#079 Robin Ventura (White Sox)
#243 Alex Rodriguez (Mariners)




These Smoke 'n Heat cards look sharp!

Pack 4:
#522 Mark Johnson - Tiffany (Pirates)

#03 Orel Hershisher - Post Season Glory (Indians)
#539 Alan Benes (Cardinals)
#493 Ricky Bottalico (Phillies)
#452 Yamil Benitez (Expos)
#259 Roger Pavlik (Rangers)
#561 Willie Blair (Padres)
#516 Jason Christiansen (Pirates)
#474 Rico Brogna (Mets)
#427 Brett Butler (Dodgers)
#097 Eric Plunk (Indians)

Pack 5:

#463 Carlos Perez - Tiffany (Expos)

#05 Mike Piazza - Road Warriors (Dodgers)
#551 Jose Oquendo (Cardinals)
#529 Ramon Morel (Pirates)
#373 Bruce Ruffin (Rockies)
#301 Greg McMichael (Braves)
#466 Kirk Rueter (Expos)
#168 Pat Meares (Twins)
#128 Mark Gubicza (Royals)
#085 Alam Embree (Indians)
#045 Damion Easley (Angels)

I don't why, but I really like the Road Warriors a lot.  I wonder if Night Owl had this Piazza already?

Pack 6:

#278 Sandy Martinez - Tiffany (Blue Jays)

#15 Quilvio Veras - Rookie Sensation (Marlins)
#542 Tony Fossas (Cardinals)
#496 Jim Eisenreich (Phillies)
#455 Jeff Fassero (Expos)
#262 Jeff Russell (Rangers)
#564 Glenn Dishman (Padres)
#519 Angelo Encarnacion (Pirates)
#477 Carl Everett (Mets)
#430 John Cummings (Dodgers)
#094 Chad Ogea (Indians)

Lots and lots of holographic foil going on here!

Pack 7:
#490 Jose Vizcaino - Tiffany (Mets)

#06 Mark McGwire - Golden Memories (A's)
#368 Mike Munoz (Rockies)
#296 Ryan Klesko (Braves)
#471 Rondell White (Expos)
#163 Rich Becker (Twins)
#123 Kevin Appier (Royals)
#080 Sandy Alomar Jr. (Indians)
#040 Jim Abbott (Angels)
#001 Manny Alexander (Orioles)
#180 Wade Boggs (Yankees)

Hasn't there been several other sets called Golden Memories before?  These look pretty nice with the holographic foil used for the lettering.

Pack 8:
#589 Mark Leiter - Tiffany (Giants)

#06 Todd Greene - Prospect (Angels)
#450 Moises Alou (Expos)
#257 Mike Pagliarulo (Rangers)
#559 Andy Ashby (Padres)
#514 Jay Bell (Pirates)
#472 Edgardo Alfonzo (Mets)
#425 Billy Ashley (Dodgers)
#099 Manny Ramirez (Indians)
#191 Jeff Nelson (Yankees)
#461 Mike Lansing (Expos)

Pack 9:
#436 Carlos Hernandez - Tiffany (Dodgers)

#06 Chipper Jones - Tomorrow's Legends (Braves)

#05 Mike Piazza - Checklist (Dodgers)
#596 Steve Scarsone (Giants)
#420 Jeff Tabaka (Astros)
#377 Larry Walker (Rockies)
#158 Steve Sparks (Brewers)
#197 Mike Stanley (Yankees)
#487 Bill Pulsipher (Mets)
#220 Danny Tartabull (A's)
#534 Paul Wagner (Pirates)

Finally an insert set that "predicts the future" gets it right!  I do have to say Chipper looks a little hung over in this picture though.  When did Checklists become inserts?

Pack 10:

#599 William VanLandingham - Tiffany (Giants)

#06 Shawn Green - Rookie Sensation (Blue Jays)
#208 Jason Giambi (A's)
#017 Mike Mussina (Orioles)
#587 Shawn Estes (Giants)
#543 Bernard Gilkey (Cardinals)
#497 Sid Fernandez (Phillies)
#456 Darrin Fletcher (Expos)
#263 Mickey Tettleton (Rangers)
#565 Steve Finley (Padres)
#520 John Ericks (Pirates)

There you have the first 10 packs.  26 more to go.  We got a decent look at the insert selection, though there are a few different sets yet to be seen.  Once my fingers uncramp I'll be back with more pack results!

Time for another mini group break! $5 shipped gets you a team!

Since my August group break of 2011 Topps Marquee has been delayed several weeks I thought I'd host another smaller group break.  This time I thought we would do 2 boxes of the all matte Fleer designs - 1996 and 1997.

1996 Fleer is a hobby box and contains 36 packs.  All of the base cards feature a matte front perfect for autographs.  There are one insert card per pack including: Golden Memories, Post-Season Glory, Prospects, Road Warriors, Rookie Sensations, Smoke 'n Heat, hobby only Team Leaders, Tiffany parallels and Zone.

1997 Fleer is a retail box with 18 packs.  All cards again feature a matte design.  David Ortiz (Arias) RC may be found.  Inserts are also found one per pack and feature retail only Lumber Company plus Bleacher Blasters, Decade of Excellence, Diamond Tribute, Golden Memories, Goudy Greats, Headliners, New Horizons, Night & Day, Rookie Sensations, Soaring Stars, Team Leaders, Tiffany parallels and Zone.

All teams are only $5 shipped!  To claim a team or teams please leave a comment and then send your PayPal gift payment to cardboardcollections at yahoo dot com.  The boxes have already been ordered so we'll get this started ASAP.  Please make sure your include your screen name, valid e-mail address and mailing address with your payment.  I already have mailing addresses for most of the 'regulars', but please include the requested info just in case.

Angels - The Angels In Order (paid)
Atlanta Braves - Cardboard Collections (paid)
Baltimore Orioles - Shady Twine (paid)
Boston Red Sox -

Chicago Cubs - Cardboard Conundrum / Matt Pederson (paid)

Chicago White Sox - Collector's Crack / cynicalbuddha (paid)
Cincinnati Reds - FanOfReds (paid)
Cleveland Indians - One Out Away / Jason (paid)
Colorado Rockies - Cards from the Quarry / hiflew (paid)
Detroit Tigers - 
Florida Marlins - 
Houston Astros - 
Kansas City Royals - Royals and Randoms / Josh D. (paid)
Los Angeles Dodgers - Night Owl (paid)
Milwaukee Brewers - Collector's Crack / cynicalbuddha (paid)
Minnesota Twins - Scott Crawford on Cards (paid)
Montreal Expos - 
New York Mets - BA Benny's Baseball Card Buffet (paid)
New York Yankees - BA Benny's Baseball Card Buffet (paid)

Oakland Athletics - 
Philadelphia Phillies - daddyohoho (paid)

Pittsburgh Pirates - The Real DFG / dogfacedgremlin
San Diego Padres - Cardboard Collections (paid)
San Francisco Giants - arpsmith (paid)
Seattle Mariners - Cardboard Collections (paid)

St. Louis Cardinals - Cards on Cards / madding (paid)
Texas Rangers - Play at the Plate (mailed)
Toronto Blue Jays - $30 a week habit / Robert

Will you be my eyes & ears? Looking for a box of 1996 Fleer...

I've looked all over the 'net for an unopened box of 1996 Fleer and I just can't seem to find one.  Heck, I couldn't even find a decent pic of the box doing a Google image search!  After high school I didn't bother with too many cards, but I loved the matte finish to the '96 Fleer set. 

I would love to buy a box of this for either myself to bust or for a future group break.  If by chance you stumble across a box for sale (online or in person) please let me know.  I'd like to spend less than $25 if at all possible.