I haven't featured a card set in a long time - maybe last summer. It's about time, and one of the most recent releases makes the cut this time!
In December, BBM issued a historical set (not to be confused with the Historic Collection) featuring who it considers the best foreign players in NPB's history. The set's name literally translates as "Strongest Legendary Alien" but the prefixes used on the inserts and other set release names makes me believe the correct translation to be something more like "All-Time Greatest Foreigners" - which sounds much more natural. Either way, I love this set and it's the first (and currently only) Japanese baseball set I bought to keep complete. I have a few of the box sets, purchased because they were only a couple hundred yen each but I didn't buy them because I enjoy the sets.
What is so good about it? It features players I know and like (including Cecil Fielder and Julio Franco) on teams and in leagues I don't normally associate them in. This set is the first BBM issue with Cecil Fielder, I think, and probably more than a handful of other players. Plus, the design is solidly attractive and the Off Shot subset has some unique photography.
There seems to be a good bit of interest in this set with collectors in America, so I've decided to dedicate a post to it so you can see the checklist and imagery. If you're interested in singles, let me know; I can pick them up for 50-100 yen each. I might be able to find a set but I don't know what the price will be yet (plus shipping - remember this is 81 cards deep).
I've scanned all the cards in the set and they are shown below in order. There are 81 cards in the set, including the Off Shot subset.
The last nine cards in the set are called Off Shot, and feature candid shots of the players either with other foreigners or in interesting poses. It's a welcome addition to the set - if this was an insert set I would have chased it too.
I'm not sure if BBM will be continuing this idea, but if they keep up the trend of issuing sets like this I'll be collecting more complete NPB releases.
I'd be up for Gullickson, Horner, Tuffy, Franco and Fielder singles! (Especially if we can get the Fielder card to me by June when he's signing in Lakewood.) These are pretty badass.
ReplyDeleteScott - I'll see what I can do for you. I'm sure I can get them out fairly quickly. Do you know how much Fielder is charging?
ReplyDeleteRe: Fielder (you're the second person to ask), when they have signers at BlueClaws games, signatures are free, but you're limited to one item per person, so it's near-impossible to grab stuff for other folks (anyone who'd wait in line with me would most likely wanna keep what they're getting signed, and in this case, there's 1 name ahead of you in that unlikely event, alas).
DeleteYou left off card #8 - John Sipin. I'll add it to my post on the set.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I will try to fix that in the next few days.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards! How can I get a Ken Macha and Mike Diaz?
ReplyDeleteDavid - I have extra copies of both that I'd be glad to trade. Please send me an email and we can work out the details!
ReplyDeleteDon't suppose you'd have a spare Jeff Williams for trade would you? - A
ReplyDeleteAdam: Got one for you!
ReplyDeleteI realize this is an older post, but I would love to get any Cecil Fielder cards. Let me know when you get a chance. Thanks!
ReplyDeletebd3d86 - I can probably get you a Cecil or two. I think he's been in a couple sets lately. Can you send me an email? Are you interested in buying, or trading? I don't have an extra card in-hand but I am going to the card stores again this weekend and can look for one.
ReplyDelete