Upper Deck baseball cards, 1989 marked the release of this hi-tech (at the time) product. But few people know that the Upper Deck baseball product, issued cards used to market their cards in 1988. Years later these cards also paved the way, for what we now have come to learn are "Promo cards".
In 1988, a few players were part of the original marketing product, and those players were Wally Joyner and Dwayne DeWitt, and they were actually featured in 2 Upper Deck baseball cards released that year. Those cards had one purpose, to fuel the interest in the Upper Deck product. Although all of the product sold out and quickly, clearly it was not because of the poster boys but rather the hype that surrounded the Upper Deck company.
In a time, where there was some counterfeiting going on in the sports card industry. Upper Deck baseball cards offered a hologram (on the back right hand corner) that was to be tamper proof. The actual poster boy for the 1989 Upper Deck baseball product quickly became Ken Griffey Jr. You can say what you like about the Upper Deck baseball product but Ken Griffey Jr. did not disappoint.
In fact it is hard to believe, that with his record over 600 home-runs, Ken Griffey Jr.'s 1989 Upper Deck rookie baseball card can be had relatively cheap. Hard to believe that at one time, Ken Griffey Jr. was one of the most amazing center fielders to ever have played the game, Ken Griffey Jr. is no longer a hobby favorite in all areas of the country, but a 600 plus home-run all-star none the less.
How many home-runs could he have hit? Had he not been injured for about 4 years totaling all of his trips to the disabled list. Maybe 750, I guess we will never know. For argument sake, I will say respectively 35 home-runs a year. Ken Griffey Jr. is still playing, the Chicago White Sox are probably going to bring him back, there are your 750 imaginary home-runs!
The 1989 Upper Deck baseball product is loaded with plenty of future Hall of Fame candidates, I do not believe that John Smoltz will have any problems getting in when his time is up, being the only player to have led the National League in wins one year and saves another. I have a hard time making a case for Gary Sheffield, boy it seems that controversy always follows him, but still his career numbers are nice. Being the nephew of Dwight Gooden, you can see where the genes come from.
The 1989 Upper Deck baseball product is loaded with error cards as well, many more than I can ever list here but there are a few reverse negative photos out there. The Dale Murphy card being the more favorite and most expensive. Ungraded copies of these still sell in the $20.00 range.
All in all, I like the Upper Deck baseball product the cards grade very nicely if you are opening up the wax product or factory sets and I have had some fun chasing the error cards, but I am not ready to put this set in the top 5 baseball card sets of modern day baseball cards. Just my opinion.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Delio_Jimenez
Monday, December 29, 2008
Red Sox Nearly Series Bound Thanks to Phiten?
No but the indomitable Red Sox almost made it to another fall classic this year. As improbable as it may have seemed, down 3-1 to what many consider to be the best team in major league baseball this year the Red Sox forced another game 7 in the ALCS. Call it tenacity, call it luck or just call it plain superstition but did you know that half of the Red Sox players are wearing Phiten necklaces on the field?
Phiten claims that its necklaces, bracelets, and titanium-infused clothing produce an electrical charge that relieves pain, increases energy, and speeds recovery. Could this be the Red Sox key to seemingly impossible comebacks? While there is a lack of research to backup claims by Phiten that their titanium infused apparel has a medical impact of any kind of professional sports stars this does not stop many deeply superstitious pro athletes from wearing and even overtly promoting Phiten necklaces, bracelets and clothing in hopes of continuing a streak of good luck.
ALCS game 6 starter Josh Beckett has worn a Phiten necklace on the mound for a number of seasons and few could argue the results he has seen, are they due to Phiten? Probably not but if that titanium woven necklace keeps his head in the big game and gives him a mental edge then what's wrong with that?
Phiten necklaces are worn by players on the Yankees, Twins and Tigers and continue to gain popularity as the Red Sox continue their domination of the American League.
The Red Sox near ALCS miracle this year will ensure that gear made by Phiten will become harder to find as every aspiring baseball player and every big leaguer snatch up Phiten merchandise in hopes of capturing some of the lightning that the Red Sox seem to catch every October.
Phiten necklaces sell for around $20-$40 and come in a variety of colors and lengths. The necklaces have become so popular you can now purchase Phiten products emblazoned with major league team logos.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ashley_Dorton
Phiten claims that its necklaces, bracelets, and titanium-infused clothing produce an electrical charge that relieves pain, increases energy, and speeds recovery. Could this be the Red Sox key to seemingly impossible comebacks? While there is a lack of research to backup claims by Phiten that their titanium infused apparel has a medical impact of any kind of professional sports stars this does not stop many deeply superstitious pro athletes from wearing and even overtly promoting Phiten necklaces, bracelets and clothing in hopes of continuing a streak of good luck.
ALCS game 6 starter Josh Beckett has worn a Phiten necklace on the mound for a number of seasons and few could argue the results he has seen, are they due to Phiten? Probably not but if that titanium woven necklace keeps his head in the big game and gives him a mental edge then what's wrong with that?
Phiten necklaces are worn by players on the Yankees, Twins and Tigers and continue to gain popularity as the Red Sox continue their domination of the American League.
The Red Sox near ALCS miracle this year will ensure that gear made by Phiten will become harder to find as every aspiring baseball player and every big leaguer snatch up Phiten merchandise in hopes of capturing some of the lightning that the Red Sox seem to catch every October.
Phiten necklaces sell for around $20-$40 and come in a variety of colors and lengths. The necklaces have become so popular you can now purchase Phiten products emblazoned with major league team logos.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ashley_Dorton
Louisville Slugger TPX Triton Baseball Bat Review
Louisville has finally responded to Easton and Demarini's multi-piece bat designs with the Louisville Slugger TPX Triton, a unique 3 piece bat. What I find amazing about this bat is the size of the barrel. This is the largest barrel I've ever seen on a baseball bat. My initial thought is this thing looks like an oak tree!
The unique 3 piece design allows the barrel and the handle to be designed and built as individual units. They are then fused together via what is called the Bubble Transition Zone. Louisville claims this makes the bat function as a more advanced one piece bat (I'll get to this claim in a second). The bat is made of 100% composite material and includes the standard Louisville stiff handle. The Adult -3 model retails for $399 and the Youth -12 at $249.
Louisville has long promoted the benefits of the 1 piece design and stiff handle for baseball bats. The success of 2 piece bats from Easton and Demarini has finally forced them to manufacture a multi piece bat. Unfortunately, being stubborn, they won't admit to the general public that their new multi piece bat is actually a multi piece bat! They claim it's "really" a one piece bat that is fused together from 3 pieces. This is insane!!! Louisville's entire marketing department should be fired immediately.
Louisville has to either admit multi-piece bats have merit or stick to a true one piece design, we're not fools. I'm skeptical to purchase a bat for $399 when the manufacturer is telling me little white lies. What's next, saying they've developed a flex handle fused to act like a stiff handle?
Having said all this about their marketing, or lack there of, I will say that I do think the Louisville TPX Triton is a quality bat. That huge barrel makes it very appealing and it seems to hit very well. But I can not recommend it now due to some doubts about the design and its durability. At the present time I recommend the Easton IMX (Stealth or Synergy IMX) or Demarini CF3 in this category.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_V_Nelson
The unique 3 piece design allows the barrel and the handle to be designed and built as individual units. They are then fused together via what is called the Bubble Transition Zone. Louisville claims this makes the bat function as a more advanced one piece bat (I'll get to this claim in a second). The bat is made of 100% composite material and includes the standard Louisville stiff handle. The Adult -3 model retails for $399 and the Youth -12 at $249.
Louisville has long promoted the benefits of the 1 piece design and stiff handle for baseball bats. The success of 2 piece bats from Easton and Demarini has finally forced them to manufacture a multi piece bat. Unfortunately, being stubborn, they won't admit to the general public that their new multi piece bat is actually a multi piece bat! They claim it's "really" a one piece bat that is fused together from 3 pieces. This is insane!!! Louisville's entire marketing department should be fired immediately.
Louisville has to either admit multi-piece bats have merit or stick to a true one piece design, we're not fools. I'm skeptical to purchase a bat for $399 when the manufacturer is telling me little white lies. What's next, saying they've developed a flex handle fused to act like a stiff handle?
Having said all this about their marketing, or lack there of, I will say that I do think the Louisville TPX Triton is a quality bat. That huge barrel makes it very appealing and it seems to hit very well. But I can not recommend it now due to some doubts about the design and its durability. At the present time I recommend the Easton IMX (Stealth or Synergy IMX) or Demarini CF3 in this category.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_V_Nelson
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