However today's post revolves around a not so pleasant memory that lingers in the back of my mind... especially when I'm busting a box around friends.
Back in the mid 90's, I had reentered the hobby for the umpteenth time and I was fascinated by Upper Deck and their holograms. I couldn't wait to get my hands on a few packs of their all-new all-hologram product called SPx. Now for those of you who weren't collecting back then, SPx wasn't cheap. Packs contained one card... yes ONE CARD... and ran anywhere from $4 to $5 per pack.
At the time I was just wrapping up my credential program, so I was on a pretty tight budget... especially in terms of collecting cards. But I saved up my money and split a box with the owner of my favorite LCS (C&M Cards).
We took turns pulling packs from the box and when we were finished I had a stack with a few decent names and one or two gold parallels.
But there's one reason this particular box break will always stay fresh in my mind and it looks like this:
1996 SPx #KG1
It's the special Ken Griffey Jr. Commemorative insert that was inserted into one out of every 75 packs. At the time it was one of the nicest cards in the product outside of the impossible to pull autographs.
Sadly, I wasn't the guy who pulled it. Nope... I was the guy who stood there and watched Cliff pull it.
Being the gracious guy that he was... he offered it to me, but I had just blown my monthly cardboard allowance on the twelve other packs. So he turned around and sold it to one of the customers in the shop watching our box break.
It was a combination of feeling disappointed, jealous, and sad all at the same time. I wish I could say that I was happy for my friend and the guy who bought the Griffey, but I honestly felt sick to my stomach.
Since then, I haven't been a big fan of splitting boxes with people. It's probably why I'm not a huge fan of group breaks either.
1996 SPx #MP1
Upper Deck also produced a special Mike Piazza Tribute card that was inserted into one out of every 95 packs. Due to the tough odds and the fact that he was a beast, these too became rather pricey back in the day.
But like most cards from the 90's, these inserts' market value have dropped tremendously over the years. These days you can pick up both of these cards on COMC for less than $1.25.
But like most cards from the 90's, these inserts' market value have dropped tremendously over the years. These days you can pick up both of these cards on COMC for less than $1.25.
I know that holograms aren't for everyone... but if you're a fan like me, then I'm guessing you'll appreciate these two pieces of extra thick die-cut cardboard.
Okay... you know the routine...
Were you a fan of SPx back in the day?
Do you have any interesting stories involving you splitting a box with a friend?
Happy Wednesday and sayonara!
I wasn't busting anything that cost more than $2 a pack back then. SPx (and all of the products that came in tins, lunchboxes, or cans) were the stuff that made my mouth water when I went to the LCS. It's a little mind blowing how cheap some of those hard to hit inserts are today. The Kendall from '96 SPx is probably my favorite Pirate card from that year.
ReplyDeleteI had no business spending that much either. Ended up with crazy credit card debt b/c of $2, $3, $4, and $5 packs.
DeleteI've never been a fan of SPx... in any sport.
ReplyDeleteAs for splitting boxes, anytime I do it, we draft the cards.
Open all the packs
Lay out the cards
Take turns picking.
So you have a 50/50 shot or 33/33/33 shot at first pick. Practice your Rochambeau.
I like the drafting the cards idea... and might consider doing that with a buddy. Actually... the owner let me pick first... I just didn't pick the right pack :(
DeleteI was in a band called Rochambeau.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea why but this comment cracked me up - I started laughing out loud. Thanks!
DeleteGreat name for a band!
DeleteI bought a pack of 1996 SPX and pulled a Clemens.
ReplyDeleteThe details are fuzzy now but I also pulled the Griffey Jr. from sort of repack box with unopened backs.
Yeah... I have no idea who I pulled from the box. However... I remember what I didn't pull ;)
DeleteI know you have been to my blog to see my love of Spx in the late 90's. I have chased down the 96,97,98 football sets. 1996 I also have the Montana and Marino autos (all through trade) and I have the two commemorative inserts for them that year as well.
ReplyDeleteI also have a partial set of 96-97 spx hockey. I still crave to finish that and chase down the baseball sets too!
Yeah... I love your blog. If you email me a list, I might be able to help you with the 96/97 hockey set.
DeleteHey just saw this. Give me a bit and I can give you the numbers. What's your email?
Delete(by the way, using this story in my pickup I told you about. Will publish on Apr 10th)
1996 SPx is probably one of my favorite sets ever. So cheap now. When I go to finally buy a Piazza autograph this might be the one I grab. I was hoping to land one way back when.
ReplyDeleteOne of these days I'll pull the trigger myself and grab the Piazza autograph... and Griffey too.
DeleteI was totally and amazingly smitten with the 1998 SPx Finite set. Every card was serial numbered! Ah, capricious youth.
ReplyDeleteMe too. 1998 was probably the year I spent the most money on cards in my lifetime. And the whole serial numbered thing was a big part of that.
DeleteWhen I was a teenager I helped my sister's friends move. In return they bought me one of each Griffey from this set (three cards, not including the gold nor the auto). Best form of payment ever.
ReplyDeleteHuge fan of the Bound for Glory inserts. Btw... Griffey also has a promo card for this set too (if you're into that sort of thing).
DeleteThat was the type of stuff that elementary/middle school aged me looked at while at my monthly LCS visit and I totally wanted it. But I was more interested in blowing all my allowance money on a bunch of packs of Donruss and Collector's Choice than on just one or two packs of this stuff.
ReplyDeleteLooking back... you were definitely wiser than I was. I'm sure a 1996 Donruss Griffey is about the same price as a 1996 SPx Griffey these days.
DeleteI couldn't afford it back in the day but I really like the cards today. That Griffey is sweet looking, even though I don't collect him it may be worth picking up.
ReplyDeleteI have lost some decent cards playing pack wars with a group of friends. Whomever playing grabs a pack, then someone calls out a number from the base set. The closest person gets all the packs from the people who are playing. The best card I ever won from doing that was a high end Phillip Rivers rookie auto. The others guys playing were pissed.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I bought a single thing between 1996 and 2005 just because I got so annoyed by all the short prints and premium brands. There is a ton of stuff I missed. Now I kind of like those shiny things, but I'd still never go near a product that is $250+ per box and you only get 5 cards. Far better to just buy the one you want outright, or wait 19 years and get it for $1. :)
ReplyDeleteBy the time I came into the hobby SPx was long gone so I have zero memories about it. Although I briefly had the infamous Jeter RC that I ended up giving away.
ReplyDeleteAs for splitting a box, I've never done such a thing and sort of doubt I ever will. I'd prefer to have an entire box to myself I guess.
Holy smoke. I just realized that anyone subscribed to my comments is having their mailbox blown up. Sorry for the excessive comments. From this point forward, I'm going to combined my comments into one long comment. Sorry everyone.
ReplyDeletearpsmith - totally recommend it. at 60¢ can you really go wrong?
matthew scott - that sounds like an entertaining way to do a box break. as long as everyone has fun that's all that matters. for me... it would be too painful to hand over something I really, really wanted for myself.
1967ers - totally agree. I did a reverse box break for 2013 topps five star which was really fun. I spent a lot of $$$ but got the cards I really wanted.
zippy - i'm with ya. i doubt i'll split a box with anyone (except maybe my nephew if he starts collecting again) in the future.