1991 Topps Pack War

Last month I stopped by my local cards and collectables store and on a whim grabbed 3 packs of 1991 Topps. It's been awhile since I did a pack war, so let's get ready to rumble!

 

 

For me, it's all about star power. I'll award 1 point for every All-Star Game nod a player gets, plus additional points for the major awards (MVP, CY, ROY, etc.) and 3 points for a Hall of Fame player. Add a point for every Red Sox card, and subtract a point for every Yankee that makes an appearance!

 

In honor of 1991 Topps, I'll award additional points for any error cards or dark back variations (I haven't owned a black light in decades, so I'm not even going to try and see if I have any of those!)

As an extra bonus, I'm going to award a whopping 5 points for every card that I still need. As of the day of purchase, I had 657 of the 792 cards (not including errors/variations) - 83% complete! If nothing else, I hope I can add to that total!

let the pack war begin!

Pack #1

Andres Galarraga - 9 points (5x All-Star, 2x Gold Glove, 2x Silver Slugger)

Robin Ventura (ASR, COR) - 13 points (NEED!, 2x All-Star, 6x Gold Glove)

Mike Greenwell - 4 points (Red Sox, 2x All-Star, Silver Slugger)

Eddie Whitson - 1 point (All-Star)

Mike Perez (RC) - 5 points (NEED!)

Sid Fernandez - 7 points (NEED!, 2x All-Star)

Robin Yount - 12 points (HOF, 2x MVP, 3x All-Star, Gold Glove, 3x Silver Slugger)

John Kruk - 3 points (3x All-Star)

Alez Fernandez (DP) - 5 points (NEED!)

Greg Vaughn - 10 points (NEED!, 4x All-Star, Silver Slugger)

 

Chris James, Craig Worthington, Frank Wills, Sil Campusano, Tim Crews - 0 points

 

Points scored: 69

 

The first pack is disappointing, but not because of the cards. As I opened the pack, I noticed that the gum was on top but the gum-stained card was on the bottom. I have a feeling someone may have opened theses packs. Other than the fact I probably won't pull a Chipper Jones First Round Draft card, it's not a big deal, but still you hate to see it...

As for the pack itself, not a bad start! Five needs, including the corrected version of a card I had the error of. 

Pack #2

Danny Tartabull - 1 point (AS)

Dave Smith - 2 points (2x AS)

Keith Comstock (COR) - 5 points (NEED!)

Jim Eisenreich - 5 points (NEED!)

Jim Lefebvre (MGR) - 7 points (NEED!, ROY, AS)

Jose Mesa - 7 points (NEED!, 2x AS)

Tom Henke - 2 points (2x AS)

Cal Ripken Jr. (RB) - 35 points (HOF, 2x MVP, ROY, 19x AS, 2x Gold Glove, 8x Silver Slugger)

 

Ken Dayley, Junior Ortiz, Rey Palacios, Milt Thompson, Tim Belcher, Ben McDonald, Dave West - 0 points

 

Points: 64 points

 

Whoof! This pack was saved at the very end thanks to Cal Ripken Jr., but still not enough to overtake the first pack. That's what happens when half the pack scores zero points. I was plesantly surprised by  Jim Lefebre, who despite being listed as a manager did have a noteworthy playing career too! Plus I get to add 4 more needs to the set, including another corrected version of an error card I already owned.

Pack #3

Rafael Ramirez - 1 point (AS)

Dante Bichette - 5 points (4x AS, Silver Slugger)

Walt Weiss - 2 points (ROY, AS)

Rob Ducey - 5 points (NEED!)

Jeff Manto - 5 points (NEED!)

Sparky Anderson (MGR) - 10 points (NEED!, HOF, 2x Manager of the Year)

Hensley Meullens - 4 points (NEED, but a Yankee)

 

Jeff McKnight, Chuck Crim, Sergio Valdez, Dave Valle, Bob McClure, Curt Wilkerson, Brian Harper, Bob Kipper - 0 points

 

Points: 32 points

Double-whoof! No Ripken-esque player to bail out this pack, although it's cool to knock off a needed Hall of Fame manager!

Pack #1 defeats all challengers!

 

Pretty pleased with this purchase. Eleven needs in three packs, plus the corrected version of two error cards I owned!

1991 was a pretty monumental set. Obviously, it celebrated Topps 40th Anniversary with a special logo on the front of its cards. It also had a huge promotion where a copy of every single card produced in those past 40 years (with redemption cards in place of older/valuable ones) were randomly inserted into packs. It was also the last year gum was included, the last year they used grey card stock, and it was also around when they started transitioning away from wax paper wrappers. I have a hard time considering anything after this year "vintage".