Box Break: 1997 Topps Stadium Club Baseball Series 1

Having been out of touch with this hobby for something like 14 years, I guess I'm lucky to be able to go and pick up a box of 1997 Stadium Club for $11 and be thrilled as if it was a brand new set because it's new to ME! Only 1 disappointment I came across.. I was hoping to pull a wooden Firebrand insert and when I did, it was an expired redemption for a Mark McGwire which was NOT wooden.. sure I could go on eBay and pick one up for a buck but.. bleh.

I'll show my top 10 personal favorites:

#10

Did you know Doc ended his career with a 194-112 record?! I'm not a Yankees fan but I do remember loving it when he and Strawberry were reunited as teammates once again.

#9

Here's Smoltzie the year after he easily won the Cy Young for having a 24-8 season with 294 K's!

#8

Paul Molitor nearing the end of his Hall of Fame career.

#7

This card looks horrible in this scan, and really, it doesn't look much better in person. Why would they make a card commemorating someone hitting their 50th career home run after they've been playing for 9 years? Why is this card my #7? Because I like Mr. Anderson and there aren't too many inserts in this box. The Instavisions were listed at 1:36 packs! Did you know he played most of the '97 season with a broken rib and led his pennant winning Orioles in 13 offensive categories? He led the league in hit-by-pitches too.. with a broken rib I bet that freaked him out every time.

#6

This subset had some great stars in their rookie years. They were put in 1:3 packs.

#5

Eddie is always cool with me.

#4

Jr's '97 season was one of his best, if not THE best. He earned an AL MVP and hit 56 HRs that year. Was he juiced? I don't think so. I really hope and beleive Griffey's talent was genuine. He's always come across as real to me.

#2

These Matrix parallels look awesome and I'm glad I pulled one of a player I know and like! Odds were 1:18 packs.

#1

Darryl is my favorite player. Problems and all, I remember him as an impressive powerful hitter who really helped me fall in love with the game as a kid. He couldn't do much in '97 due to injuries.. and of course, that's why the Yankees didn't make it to the World Series that year.

I got a couple complete sets of checklist so I actually used some!




Coming soon! I've got a box of 1997 Best Prospects to break! 18 packs of minor leaguers turned superstars for only 6 bucks!