Like 2001 Topps Archives, 1993 Finest is a set that I'm trying to build card-by-card. I saw a stack of about a dozen '93 Finest commons in a dime box and found this card of Mr. Roberts.
Yeah, I had it already. But c'mon! Ten cents for The Bipper? Not bad.
The more we learn about 2011 Finest Baseball, the more it's shaping up to be the best Finest set in a decade.
Not only are the letter patches and rookie redemptions gone, but get this...
... the Autographed Rookie cards ARE ALL VARIATIONS!
That's right. All 19 (so far) Autographed Rookies will also be available as NON-AUTOGRAPHED BASE CARDS.
In other words, for the first time since the late-90s, you'll actually be able to collect a complete set of Finest. (Imagine that!)
Yes, there are still way too many unnecessary Refractor parallels. The 100-card base set is too small. And the 50 one-per-mini-box inserts are going to be a bear to collect. But for the first time in a decade, I'm actually looking forward to buying a box of Topps Finest.
You want to know why collectors everywhere hate manu-crap-tured letter patches? Well, other than the fact that the whole concept is stupid. That goes without saying. Take a look at that autograph.
Nothing personal against Mr. Ka'aihue, you did your best. But try signing your name 1000 times across an small and uneven surface.
From what I've heard through the grapevine, Topps is reconfiguring Finest for 2011 -- which is why you haven't seen the sell sheets yet. Let's all hope they start by dumping this abomination.
short set: 47 of 150 (31.33%) 1 Autographed Rookie Letter Patch (15 "cards", 1:2 mini-boxes): A Big Letter "Z" of Dan Runzler.
Parallels
6 Refractors (numbered to 599): J. Santana, M. Kemp, M. Young, N. Swisher, The Flyin' Hawaiian, K. Phillips 3 Blue Refractors (numbered to 299): J. Verlander, R. Porcello, R. Halladay in a poorly airbrushed Phillies uniform 1 Green Refractor (numbered to 99): J. Reyes 1 Gold Refractor (numbered to 50): N. Cruz 1 Autographed Rookie Letter Patch Refractor (numbered to 75) A Big Letter "S" with J. Francisco's autograph (I think) on it.
Inserts
1 Rookie Redemption: #4
The Review
Remember when pulling a Refractor out of a pack of Finest meant something? I say this, because I ripped a box of 1995 Finest a couple of months ago and got only two Refractors. I pulled 11 out of this Master Box of 2010 Finest. I know the kids want the BIG MOJO HITZ!!!!, but sometime less is more.
And speaking of less is more, can this please, finally, be the last year for letter patches in Finest? Even if you actually like the letter patch concept (all nine of you), you have to agree; they just don't belong in a set like Finest. When you think Finest, you think two things: 1) Chrome-stock cards and 2) Refractors. That, and the autographs on these things are barely legible. (You try signing your name over 1500 times on a narrow and uneven surface.)
As for the base set, the gray backgrounds look drab, almost depressing. But, they make the "colored" Refractors stand out and that may have been what Topps was going for.
Product Rating: 2 Gumsticks (out of five)
...and another thing.
Is there really that much of a difference between an autograph on a sticker and one on a letter patch? Neither of them are "on-card," right?
One box of 1995 Finest Series One (paid $32) 24 packs per box, seven "Hi-Tech" cards per pack
Part One
Part Two
The Pulls
Base Set: 115 of 220 (52.27%) 42 doubles 6 triples 1 quad
Parallels
2 Refractors (1:12) B. Jones, W. Boggs
Inserts
1 Power Kings (18 cards, 1:24) B. Bonds
Autogamers
NONE
The Bottom Line
For the money, you can't go wrong with this 14-year-old waxbox. No, there aren't any rookies (Hideo Nomo was in the Update Series) and you only get two refractors in a box. But it's a fun rip nonetheless.
The collation is typical mid-90s Topps -- that is, awful. But I did get my two designated refractors, and my one-per-box Power King. Not bad for $32?
3) Inject the entire contents straight into the stomach, through the navel. This will induce a fantastic rush -- much like a three-quarter hour Amyl high -- plenty of time to watch the awful spectacle below.
4) Set to full-screen and press play.
One Master Box of 2009 Topps Finest Baseball -- supplied by the manufacturer for free. Two, six-pack, mini-boxes per Master Box (MSRP $50/mini-box)
Base Set: 49 of 164 (29.88%) short set: 48 of 150 (32.00%) 1 Autographed Rookie Letter Patch (14 manufactured letter patches, 1:2 mini-boxes): T. Snider EXCH
Parallels
4 "Plain Vanilla" Refractors: J. Posada, X. Nady, HanRam, M. Garza 4 Blue Refractors (numbered to 399): The World's Fattest Vegetarian, K-Rod, T. Hudson, M. Tuiasosopo 1 Green Refractor (1:2 mini-boxes, numbered to 99): G. Meche 1 Gold Refractor (1:4 mini-boxes, numbered to 50): M. Buehrle 1 Autographed Rookie Letter Patch Refractor (1:4 mini-boxes): A. Solome "E"
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