Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Bustin' packs: 94 Pinnacle


Well, I got another delivery today, in addition to my Ernie Camacho cards. This was a big bunch of hobby boxes from all kinds of different sets. They are all from the mid 90s, ranging from 92-96. They are all cheap. There is nothing particularly exciting or noteworthy about them other than the fact that I now have a shitload of packs to open. There are 15 boxes in all. They should keep me busy for a while.

I let my lovely wife pick out the first box to open. If I can get her even a little bit interested in cards there's a lot better chance that she won't divorce me. She already went way below her league when she married me. This might be the straw that breaks the camel's back if I can't manage to suck her in with me, at least a little bit. I live in constant fear that she will one day wake up and realize that she can do much better.

Anyway, on to the cards. She picked a box of '94 Pinnacle and we each opened 2 packs. The cards themselves are nothing great. They look more like small post cards than baseball cards. That are shiny, though. So they've got that going for them. Which is nice. I don't know much about the inserts. There are Artist's proof, Museum Collection, Rookie Team, Run Creators, and a few others. I guess I'll find out what they look like if I pull one.




The first card up top is #490 Chris Sabo. Growing up in Cleveland we are taught to hate the Bengals. Almost as much as the Steelers. OK not nearly as much as the Steelers, but still a lot. And just because they've slipped to 3rd on the hated list behind the Ravens doesn't mean that there is any love. Icky Woods can take his shuffle and shove it straight up his ass.

The Reds are a different story. There's really no animosity toward them. I guess it's because they are in a different league. When the Tribe played them this year it was just like any other series. Back in the late 80's/early 90's I liked them. Barry Larkin was great. Pete Rose wasn't too far removed and it was before most of his trouble. I absolutely LOVED Eric Davis. And Chris Sabo had his glasses. To tell you the truth I wasn't even aware that Sabo played for the Orioles. In my mind he will always be at the hot corner for the Reds. Back in the good old
days when Marge Schott couldn't speak two words without offending someone.


No matter what you think about
Danny Darwin...that man had some balls. Looks like about 6 of them.


Another player I always liked was David Cone (#325). I put this card up because I think it looks great. One of the best action shots I've seen in a long time. With that arm out and peering over his shoulder. Right hand cocked and ready with the split finger. Perfectly balanced on his right foot. This batter has no chance. No chance at all. Beautiful picture.


And then there's this. What the fuck is going on here? Is this the worst card you've ever seen? I'm going to keep my eyes open for terrible action shots like this and compile them into one entry. Eventually. I think I'll be hard pressed to come up anything worse than this. Seriously, who picked this? Someone had to make the decision. I think whoever that was...Meares must have nailed his wife or sister or something. It's the only thing that makes sense.





This is the one and only insert out of the 4 packs. A Bryan Harvey Museum Collection. For the life of me I can't figure out why they call it the Museum Collection. I can't even fathom a guess. The difference from the base is the sparkly Teflon coating that they sprayed on and the background. It looks like Bryan just jumped to hyperspace or something. Not bad I guess. Kind of fun to look at.


And hey...Bryan Harvey...not too shabby. Am I right kids?




OK, there was one other insert. This is actually the first redemption card I've ever pulled. If I can manage to get it in my dec 31, 1994 I'll pick up Museum Collection card #279. From what I've been able to research I think this is Rob Nen. OK then.

I think I'll send this in anyway. Why the hell not? Maybe someone will get it and get a good laugh out of it. Maybe even send me something back. You never know.




Other players pulled include:
Edgar Martinez
Luis Gonzalez
Tim Raines
Jeff Bagwell x2
Larry Walker
Wally Joyner
Pedro Martinez
and a sweet Roger Salkeld rookie card...among others.

Not a bad 4 packs

Fingers crossed on that redemption

3 comments:

capewood said...

Pinnacle's been out of business for about 10 years so the redemption card will probably end up in a dead letter file. I've got a lot of 1994 Pinnacle but I never saw a redemption card.

Motherscratcher said...

Out of business? Crap. I guess I did hear that somewhere. Oh well.

Hey, you don't suppose they still have one guy employed? He has a shoebox of redemption cards and his job is to check the PO box once a month and fill any redemptions that are sent in. It's possible, right?

capewood said...

I'd be willing to redeem the card for you but I don't have that card.