ESPN's first video box break.

Recently, ESPN.com's Jim Caple went searching for a 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey, Jr. card. So, he went to a Seattle area card shop and found one, the old fashioned way...

... by ripping packs of 1989 UD and recording it on video! Enjoy.

I Get Letters: the real story behind the 1989 ud ken griffey jr. card

Dear Chris,

i read all your blogs religiously...thought you'd be interested in this....

http://www.slate.com/id/2191533

-- Darren Rovell

Always Be Collecting: 1989 Fleer

1989 Fleer

Base Set: 660 cards (one series)
Inserts:

• All-Stars: 12 cards (wax and cello exclusive)
• For the Record: 6 cards (rack exclusive)
• Box Bottoms: 28 cards
  
• World Series: 12 cards (factory set exclusive)

Packaging: 36 pack, 15-card waxboxes; 24 pack, 36-card cello packs; 24 pack, 42-card rack boxes; factory set; Glossy Tin factory sets
Notable Cards: Ken Griffey, Jr. RC, Randy Johnson "Marlboro" RC, and of course, Billy Ripken "Fuck Face" ERR.
Other Notes:

• The most infamous card of our time: The Billy Ripken "Fuck Face" card (and it's many variations).
• Randy Johnson "Marlboro" variation not discovered for ten years.
• Approximately 30,000 Glossy Tin sets produced.
• Final year for Glossy Tin sets.

Full Set (factory): $15 (NmMT)
Full Glossy Set: $100 (NmMT)


1989 Fleer Update

Base Set: 132 cards
Packaging: Hobby exclusive factory set
Notable Cards: Nolan Ryan 5000 Strikeout and Mike Schmidt retirement cards, Joey (Albert) Belle and Deion Sanders RCs
Other Notes:

• No Glossy Tin set produced.
• Lackluster rookie card selection.
  

Full Set (factory): $5 (NmMT)