Set Chasing:1998 Ex2001 Baseball

There isn't many of us left that do it and I can't say I do as much as I used to, but set collecting remains in my hobby blood.

A lot of what I do now is chase down my favorite sets of the 90's from multiple sports. As you have seen I have done that with my 90's Spx Project that is still a working progress but now I am turning my focus to an Ex Project.

I have already completed both the 1997 Ex2000 and 1998 Ex2001 football sets, but now I am chasing down baseball. There was just something about those two years of Ex that was spectacular. The cards other than the Spx were probably my favorite base of the late 90's

If you need a refresher on which one was the Ex2001, it was these. Try not to drool too much on your keyboard....

 

Even though I do like the Ex2000 a tad more, there is nothing wrong looking at these either. I think my only issue was the gold foil that would sometimes rub off from the acetate over time. I only had a couple that did that. The overall design though, very nice. I was glad when Upper Deck  mocked it in the retro product, but nothing is like the original. I hope to knock this one down off my set wants.

I have a good start on this set, but still have plenty of needs. I have my set numbers written down and at some point will update this post with them. I just need to double check on a few cards. I WILL HAVE THIS AS A TAB AT THE TOP OF THE BLOG WHERE YOU CAN LOCATE THE TWO POSTS WITH MY SET NEEDS.

SET NEEDS:
100,97,96,93,91,90,88,84,80,79,78,74,72,70,66,64,62,61,60,58,56,55,54,50,46,43,39,32,30,26,25,22,20,19, 17, 15, 9,2

After I chase down the baseball, I hope to do the basketball which will be a much bigger challenge because of players like MJ and of course the Kobe rookie. I don't have any start on these, so that also adds to the fun of the chase.

Thoughts on my latest chase are welcomed in comments.

One EX That I Can Deal With

As many of you know, I am a BIG 90's collector. Other than chasing down unique inserts and base cards, I collect certain sets that I used to have. Yes, used to have making them my Ex. Now you get the post title :)

One of those sets was Ex2000 which to this day may be some of the greatest base cards ever created. The acetate back ground, the full blown color and shininess gives it quite an edge over other base cards. I am sure you will agree.

Up first the main rookie card of the set and the first card in the set, Jake Plummer.

I love how they did the back of the card as its the mirror of the front. So cool.

Another key rookie in the set, Warrick Dunn. This was also the season that Tampa switched to the much cooler uni's and helmets and got rid of the creamscicle ones.

2 Giants PC cards as well. This is a Hilliard rookie.

I had been trying for two years to add this to my PC. The problem was the price people were asking for it. I felt it was too steep. So when I stumbled on the set finding it on sale for $10, it was a no-brainer that I needed to buy or I would lose out.

Now to try and get the baseball and basketball versions!

What are your thoughts on Ex? Do you own any of the cards? Sets?

Yard Sale Find # 10 Ex 2000 Baseball

We recently posted about a Yard Sale we went to and picked up a bunch of sports cards at (mostly baseball). We thought it would be fun to take you on the journey with us to discover what is inside of every box, every single we got picking out the best ones along the way to show. We hope you enjoy the trip and comments are always welcomed.

 

When I saw a box marked Ex 2000, I immediately scooped it up. I knew already what I was getting. Would the box have flair and possible big time hits..most likely no. And that isn't the reason I wanted it. It was for these cards. Yup, base cards. How many collectors now-a-days get excited over base cards..well this guy does!

 

 

This design is spectacular. Rainbow cardboard with different colored borders. A full action shot of a player in front of an acetate background.  This kind of design is one of the very few that I enjoy that don't involve action photography. This also happens to be one of the brands I  really miss. I know I say I miss a lot of them, but this one truly is at the top.

At one point in my collecting career, I had this set put together. But, time wore on and when I was still living at home my father decided to sell it. So finding some of the base cards again, which I found out that it was about 8 cards short of a set, was very exciting. 

Ex2000 baseball came out in 1997 and was created by the geniuses at Fleer (which rights are now owned by Upper Deck).

Here is what a box breakdown is for the product:

24 packs per box, 2 cards per pack

Parallels:
Credentials - numbered to 299
Essential Credentials - numbered to 99

Inserts:
A Cut Above 1:288
Emerald Autographs 1:500
Hall or Nothing 1:20
Star Date 2000 1:9

It was a product for baseball, basketball, football. The Ex line didn't make it too many years but I always enjoyed what they brought to the table for base cards. In my next Yard Sale post will be an even better designed Ex set that came out the following year in Ex2001.

There are also treasures to find in this product too, that's what you would call some of their inserts now-a-days anyways. Pulling the Credentials and the Essential Credentials may not have seen like much then, but they are now HOT inserts to have especially for basketball. I am shaking my head as I type this knowing what I may have lost back then and could no longer afford now.

Let me know your thoughts on this pretty product.

Design/Products I miss: 1998 Ex 2000

Just look at its beauty. The card made on plastic. The shiny reflective look. The player jumps right out at you. If only all base cards now-a-days can be made like this. Set collectors might return. This product was only made for a couple of years but still stands out in my collection as a favorite.