I love the 1980s! The ultimate unopened rip quest to build Topps, Fleer, Donruss PSA 10 sets...

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  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Stuck on my recent Griffey kick...

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    This year remains a condition challenge. Still a fun rip given all the HOF though. Here were the ones that missed the grade and continue to pile up from my breaks...

    Pretty happy with the RCs, but none are PSA 10 worthy...

    Pulled 4 contenders for PSA 10, highlighted by a sick Mattingly and nice Eddie...

  • JWBlue
    JWBlue Posts: 490 ✭✭✭
    edited November 4, 2019 11:25PM
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    @jordangretzkyfan said:
    1989 Donruss continues to be one of the most condition challenging sets of the 1980s. The centering is almost always off in one direction or the other, there are tons of print imperfections like fisheyes and stray black ink, and the edges/borders are highly prone to chipping. No wonder Griffey PSA 10s have been soaring. I did not find a single contender for GEM MINT in this entire box. Here were the stars and rookies that I pulled...

    The 1989 Donruss Sheffield is one of my favorite cards of all time.

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Time for another 1989 Topps vending box...

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    The production quality on 1989 Topps continues to be poor. Most are OC or have print defects. It is always fun when condition is a challenge. It makes me appreciate landing a perfect example that much more. Here were the stars and RCs that didn’t make the grade...

    I pulled these three key RCs, but none are worthy of a 10...

    These were the only 4 contenders for GEM MINT...yep, 0.8% of the untouched cards. At least one of them was a Pete Rose...

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I went to grab some 1986 Donruss racks from my case to break, and look who was peering back at me. This top rack will be tucked away and the rest ripped tonight...

  • toadstrangler
    toadstrangler Posts: 10,034 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 6, 2019 6:28PM
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    Johnson, Biggio, and Sheffield are what anchors the ‘89 Topps junk effort and clubs the barren ‘88 Topps to death. The last gasp of an epic era. I love it.

    COPPER is gutter !

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I have always liked the look of the 1986 Donruss set. The design is unlike any other from the 1980s, so props to Donruss for being unique. Here were the stars and rookies that missed the grade...

    Like all mid to late 80’s Donruss, this set is tough to find in GEM MINT. Here were the 10 contenders in this group of packs...

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @softparade said:
    Johnson, Biggio, and Sheffield are what anchors the ‘89 Topps junk effort and clubs the barren ‘88 Topps to death. The last gasp of an epic era. I love it.

    Well said my friend...well said...

  • JWBlue
    JWBlue Posts: 490 ✭✭✭
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    I am looking for a 1986 Donruss rack pack with Lenny Dykstra on top.

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @JWBlue said:
    I am looking for a 1986 Donruss rack pack with Lenny Dykstra on top.

    If I find one, I will set it aside for you.

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Griffey, Griffey, Griffey....

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    The distribution in Fleer boxes is so even. Was pretty happy with the contenders for GEM MINT that came out of this box. First, here are the stars and rookies that keep piling up that don’t make the grade...

    And the key RCs that missed the mark...

    Of the 8 contenders for PSA10, I was happy that one featured Eric Davis and another was the infamous Billy Ripken card. Too bad this wasn’t the FF version...

  • SumoMenkoMan
    SumoMenkoMan Posts: 1,269 ✭✭✭
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    Any luck on the box bottoms being in great shape?

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @SumoMenkoMan said:
    Any luck on the box bottoms being in great shape?

    Most either have a surface wrinkle or minor scuffing, even coming from a clean factory case. Nothing so far that I would say is worthy of a hand cut 10, but I keep my eye out. Thanks for the question on the always challenging box bottoms!

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    One of the most iconic sets from the 1980s is 1986 Topps Traded. Don’t think I have opened any of these in this thread yet. The XRCs of Bonds, Bo, Clark and Canseco are quintessential imagery from the decade of cardboard. Let’s jump into our time machine and hunt for perfection in these two factory taped sets from my case...

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Such great memories looking at these cards. The Bo Jackson XRC is simply beautiful and was the envy of every young collector watching as Bo traveled back and forth between baseball and the gridiron. The portrait shots of Bonds, Canseco and Clark show all the promise of these young sluggers long before they achieved 700+ HRs, 40/40 seasons and post season heroics. That said, these cards are condition sensitive with their black borders coming out of tightly packed factory boxes. Here are the stars and rookies not making the grade...

    Neither Bonds made the cut either...

    I did manage to find 5 contenders for PSA 10 though, headlined by the Bonilla XRC...

  • NJ80sBBC
    NJ80sBBC Posts: 841 ✭✭✭✭
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    I had one 86TT set as a kid and, of course, opened that thing immediately upon receipt. Stared at the Canseco, Bo, Clark, Bonds, Bonilla, Kruk and Tartabull cards in awe over and over so many times. They were such huge upgrades from my 87T cards, even superceded any 87D or 87F examples I had managed to acquire. The white card stock made them even cooler. For me, a top 5 set of the 80s for sure.

    John

    Conundrum - Loving my unopened baseball card collection....but really like ripping too
  • In4apenny
    In4apenny Posts: 298 ✭✭✭
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    Only one box left of the 87 D. Pulled out the loose leaf binder with lots of 87 D in it. Had a lot of fun back in the day looking for the bash brothers, Bo, etc.

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Great memories guys. Thanks for sharing! Time to hunt once again for that elusive 1989 Donruss Griffey RC in PSA 10 condition...

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Swing and a miss on a grade worthy Junior. These cards are tough to find in perfect condition. Here are the piles of stars and rookies that continue to build from my rips...

    Lots of key RCs, but none were perfect...

    I initially set aside these 3 contenders for PSA 10, but upon second glance only the Kruk will make the cut...

    Thanks to those who continue to follow and comment 👍

  • tunahead08
    tunahead08 Posts: 1,063 ✭✭✭
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    '89 Donruss has kind of grown on me over the years. Crazy how tough they are to find in a 10!

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Speaking of impossible...time for a box of the worst quality product from the 1980s. Up next, 1981 Donruss...

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Oof, the production quality of 1981 Donruss is complete garbage! Here were the stars and rookies in the box...

    I did manage to pull these key RCs, but none are anywhere near worthy of perfection.

    I set aside these 5 as potential PSA 10 contenders, but I will take a second look tomorrow to make sure I am not just wishful thinking on any of these since the rest of the box was a complete condition nightmare...

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Let’s see if we can find a perfect Gregg Jefferies RC...

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Man, the design on this set will cross your eyes when looking for dead centered examples. Here were the stars and rookies that missed the mark...

    Pulled these key RCs too, but none worthy of a 10...

    I was happy to find 13 candidates for PSA 10 despite very little star power among them...

  • daltex
    daltex Posts: 3,486 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Hard to believe Donruss missed Baines in 1981 when Topps, Fleer, and even O-Pee-Chee had him. Also, Jack Clark's career is smack in the middle of those being considered for Veterans Committee HoF (John is not) so the '88 Fleer 10s have more star power than you might think.

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Making my way through the 1989 Donruss case I broke...

  • NGS428
    NGS428 Posts: 2,374 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Jr, Jr, Jr

    Nic

    Guides Authored - Graded Card Scanning Guide PDF | History of the PSA Label PDF

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Junior made an appearance, but not in perfect condition. This set is really tough to find in flawless condition. Here are the stars and rookies that keep piling up...

    The 5 key RCs were found, but none of them perfect...

    At first glance, these 5 appear to have a good shot for the elusive GEM MINT grade...

  • SumoMenkoMan
    SumoMenkoMan Posts: 1,269 ✭✭✭
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    Then 1989 set is so 80s. Like those bright colored warmup jackets everyone used to wear. Thanks for continuing the adventure!!

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Alright...let’s get a couple rips going. First up is a 1989 Topps vending box...

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    They printed enough 1989 Topps for every man, woman and child to each have 100 copies. The problem is that little care was given to quality, so everyone is sitting on stacks of 7s and 8s. Here were the stars and rookies that didn’t make the grade...

    Pulled these 4 key RCs, but none make the grade...

    Are you Randy Ready for it? Yep, this was the lone contender for PSA 10...

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    So then I decided I needed to see some 1989 Griffey’s...

    Here are the key RCs...

    Unfortunately, neither Griffey made the cut...

    I did find these 4 contenders for PSA 10...

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Finishing up the last 1989 Topps vending box from the case I broke a few months back...

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 24, 2019 9:33AM
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    Here were the stars and rookies in the box...

    Of the key RCs, I only pulled the Smoltz...

    But I was happy to find these 8 contenders for PSA 10, highlight by Nolan and Rickey...

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Don’t think I have ripped any 1989 Topps Traded sets in this thread yet. Here go 2 sets from the fresh case I just cracked...

  • SumoMenkoMan
    SumoMenkoMan Posts: 1,269 ✭✭✭
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    Awesome. Were Rick Leach and Terry Leach brothers?

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @SumoMenkoMan said:
    Awesome. Were Rick Leach and Terry Leach brothers?

    Thanks for following along. You made me wonder, so I Googled it. Rick and Terry were not brothers. Turns out that Terry released a book called Things Happen for a Reason about his journey through baseball. I didn’t realize Terry pitched a 10 inning, 1 hit shutout for the Mets back in 1985. I always love the backstories on some of the lesser known players from the 1980s.

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Feeling like hunting for a perfect Glavine RC. Up next is a box of 1988 Fleer...

  • ahopkins
    ahopkins Posts: 1,109 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 26, 2019 6:14AM
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    I like your style, Chris. Wake and rip..... at 5:20 AM!!

    Andy

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @ahopkins said:
    I like your style, Chris. Wake and rip..... at 5:20 AM!!

    Haha...thanks Andy. It is a vacation week after all! Sorry for the delay in posting this morning’s rip. The day got away from me while I was bourbon hunting all the liquor stores before Thanksgiving. Need to make sure I have a full bar before the crazy begins 😉

    Here were the stars and rookies that didn’t make the grade...

    Pulled these two key RCs, but neither were centered well enough...

    I only managed to pull 4 contenders for PSA 10, but was excited when one of them was the formerly coveted Ellis Burks RC. Such a great photo of the young prospect...

    I should have much more time to rip over this weekend, so check back between football games and the second round of pumpkin pie.

  • SumoMenkoMan
    SumoMenkoMan Posts: 1,269 ✭✭✭
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    1988 was another classic design. Nice rip.

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @SumoMenkoMan said:
    1988 was another classic design. Nice rip.

    Thanks...glad folks are still enjoying these breaks!

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Let’s get today rolling. Up first is a 1989 Donruss box...

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    This year is a tough one condition wise. Luckily, this box came through relative to most I have opened. First, here are the piles of stars and rookies that continue to build from my rips...

    I pulled these key RCs, but none are worthy of a PSA 10...

    I pulled 13 contenders for GEM MINT, highlighted by Bonds, Boggs and the once coveted Chris Sabo RC...

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Let’s stick with the Griffey RC kick and rip some 1989 Fleer next...

  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Always a fun rip and a great trip down memory lane when I break 1989 Fleer. The distribution is so balanced in these boxes. Here are the stars and rookies that continue to stack up...

    Managed to pull all the key RCs, but none made the grade...

    There was plenty of star power in these 20 candidates for PSA 10 though...

  • Kep13
    Kep13 Posts: 515 ✭✭✭
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    star power is right...'twas a good box of '89 Fleer

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