Team Sets: 1993 Upper Deck

Players Included: Scott Bankhead, Ellis Burks, Ivan Calderon, Roger Clemens, Scott Cooper, Danny Darwin, Andre Dawson, John Dopson, Scott Fletcher, Mike Greenwell, Greg A. Harris, Billy Hatcher, Joe Hesketh, Tim Naehring, Tony Pena, Phil Plantier, Carlos Quintana, Jody Reed, Luis Rivera, Jeff Russell, Ken Ryan, John Valentin, Mo Vaughn, Frank Viola, Bob Zupcic

Best Picture: Luis Rivera. Rivera is show in full flight as he attempts to turn a double play. The ball is already in the air. Now all Luis needs to worry about is staying out of the way of the sliding runner. A great action shot.

Hall of Famers: Andre Dawson

Future Hall of Famers: Roger Clemens

Reason to Buy the Set: Hall-of-Famer Andre Dawson stands out. He wasn’t a long-time Sox or anything. But, he has some hobby draw. Add in Roger Clemens, Mo Vaughn, and Frank Viola and you have some decent resumes in the set.

Overall Reaction: This is a set I would have just to have. It’s bleh in almost every respect. The design isn’t particularly striking. The player selection isn’t all that hot. If you want all the Red Sox sets, or all the Upper Deck Red Sox set, you’ll have to grab this set up. Otherwise it doesn’t do anything for me.

Team Sets: 1992 Stadium Club

Players Included: Wade Boggs, Tom Bolton, Tom Brunansky, Ellis Burks, Jack Clark, Roger Clemens, Scott Cooper, Danny Darwin, John Dopson, Tony Fossas, Jeff Gray, Mike Greenwell, Greg Harris, Wayne Housie, Josias Manzanillo, John Marzano, Kevin Morton, Jeff Plympton, Carlos Quintana, Luis Rivera, Mo Vaughn

Best Picture: Mike Greenwell. Here we see the leftfielder expertly playing the famed left field wall. Greenwell has gone back as far as he can, and needs to take a leap. I’m noticing two things. He’s not in the right spot. The ball looks to be headed just to his left. He also has his eyes shut tight, so he has no idea. He’s just stuck his glove up there, and is hoping for the best. I’m guessing it was at least a double.

Hall of Famers: Wade Boggs

Future Hall of Famers: Roger Clemens

Reason to Buy the Set: Stadium Club was known for the quality of the cards, and the quality of the photography. This is the cream of the crop when it comes to 1992 team sets.

Overall Reaction: I love the set. I’ve always been a fan of Stadium Club. The full bleed pictures really add a spectacular element to the set. The player selection is on the weak side. But, as a Red Sox fan, you get what you get. The teams in the early nineties were pretty sad. But, they were the Red Sox.

Team Sets: 2009 Upper Deck Spectrum

Players Included: JD Drew, Jonathan Papelbon, Mike Lowell, Daisuke Matsuzaka, David Ortiz, Josh Beckett

Best Picture: Jonathan Papelbon. Not a lot of choices since the design of the set doesn’t focus on the pictures. But, here’s Papelbon getting ready to fire another one by an opposing batter.

Hall of Famers: None

Future Hall of Famers: Papelbon probably has the best shot. Some top talent with the rest of the group, but they probably all fall short.

Reason to Buy the Set: It’s a small set packed with talent.

Overall Reaction: Upper Deck went through a phase for a while where the more flash was on a card, the better. Personally, I think it distracts from the card. Of course, I hate buying pictures with the MLB hologram in the corner because it takes away from the feel of the picture. But, if you like pizzazz, this is your set. It’s spiffy, and certainly announces itself as you flip through the rest of your cards. But, more sizzle than steak.

Team Set: 1988 Score

Players Included: Marty Barrett, Don Baylor, Todd Benzinger, Wade Boggs, Dennis Boyd, Ellis Burks, Roger Clemens, Steve Crawford, Pat Dodson, Dwight Evans, Rich Gedman, Mike Greenwell, Dave Henderson, Sam Horn, Bruce Hurst, John Marzano, Al Nipper, Spike Owen, Jody Reed, Jim Rice, Ed Romero, Kevin Romine, Joe Sambito, Calvin Schiraldi, Jeff Sellers, Bob Stanley, Marc Sullivan, Rob Woodward

Best Picture: Wade Boggs. It seems that there are lots of cards that feature Boggs with a ball in flight. Here’s a picture of something Boggs was well known for. He clearly looks to be fouling off yet another tough pitch. He’s brought his hands in to make contact. It’s a master at work.

Hall of Famers: Wade Boggs, Jim Rice

Future Hall of Famers: Roger Clemens

Reason to Buy the Set: Once again, the three stars lead the way. Add in Oil Can, Dewey, Steamer, Gator, and Hendu, and you have a great collection of Sox favorites. It’s also another team set that, back in the day, was stacked with rookies of the future stars of the team. It just doesn’t always work out that way.

Overall Reaction: This was Score’s first entry into the baseball card market. The colors certainly make a bold statement. If you’re going to use strong colors, it’s nice that they mix it up a bit. It prevents the set from looking stall in a binder. It’s a great player selection, on an attractive design. It’s a great set.

Team Sets: 1987 Topps

Players Included: John McNamara (mgr), Tony Armas, Marty Barrett, Don Baylor, Wade Boggs, Dennis Boyd, Bill Buckner, Roger Clemens, Steve Crawford, Pat Dodson, Dwight Evans, Rich Gedman, Mike Greenwell, Dave Henderson, Glenn Hoffman, Bruce Hurst, Tim Lollar, Al Nipper, Spike Owen, Jim Rice, Ed Romero, Kevin Romine, Joe Sambito, Calvin Schiraldi, Tom Seaver, Jeff Sellers, Bob Stanley, Dave Stapleton, Sammy Stewart, Marc Sullivan, Rob Woodward

Best Picture: Jim Rice. There’s nothing special about this photo. It’s simply a classic picture of a ballplayer. Here we have the team’s slugger on the follow through. His eyes are looking in the distance to follow the flight of the ball. It’s a great moment in a ballgame.
Hall of Famers: Wade Boggs, Jim Rice, Tom Seaver
Future Hall of Famers: Roger Clemens
Reason the buy the set: Three Hall-of-Famers in one set is a great start. It’s especially nice to see Tom Terrific in the Sox uniform. Add in Clemens from a Cy Young year, Buckner practically wearing horns, and the rookie card of Mike Greenwell, and you’ve got yourself quite a set.
Overall Reaction: I like the wood grain. Sure, it’s a little tacky and old-fashioned. But, it’s different, and doesn’t scream at you. It’s not bright pink. It’s a simple design allowing for the pictures to take center stage. It’s pretty high on a must have list of Red Sox team sets.

Team Sets: 1990 Donruss

Players Included: Marty Barrett, Wade Boggs, Mike Boddicker, Oil Can Boyd, Ellis Burks, Rick Cerone, Roger Clemens, John Dopson, Nick Esasky, Dwight Evans, Wes Gardner, Rich Gedman, Mike Greenwell, Greg Harris, Danny Heep, Eric Hetzel, Dennis Lamp, Rob Murphy, Carlos Quintana, Jody Reed, Luis Rivera, Kevin Romine, Lee Smith, Mike Smithson

Best Picture: Nick Esasky. This picture is dripping with anticipation. Esasky’s in his crouch, ready to pounce at anything that is hit his way. It’s exactly the way it’s supposed to look before every pitch.
Hall of Famers: Wade Boggs
Future Hall of Famers: Roger Clemens
Reason the buy the set: I haven’t got a lot for you here. The set has the stars in Boggs and Clemens. Dwight Evans and Mike Greenwell were always favorites of mine. But, it’s not a key year, and there isn’t a key rookie to be found.
Overall Reaction: I appreciate that during the 80’s and 90’s the card companies were at least trying some creative designs. The white border with player name in a banner gets stale. Like the 1991 Fleer set, this is a love or hate design. The red (or is it orange?) border can’t be missed. I’m probably closer to the “hate” side of things, but at least they tried.

Team Sets: 2004 Donruss World Series Champions

Players Included: Bronson Arroyo, Mark Bellhorn, Orlando Cabrera, Johnny Damon, Alan Embree, Keith Foulke, Gabe Kapler, Curtis Leskanic, Derek Lowe, Pedro Martinez, Doug Mientkiewicz, Doug Mirabelli, Bill Mueller, Mike Myers, Trot Nixon, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Pokey Reese, Dave Roberts, Curt Schilling, Mike Timlin, Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield, Kevin Youkilis

Best Picture: Doug Mirabelli, Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield. The best part about the pictures in this set is that almost all of them appear to actually have been taken during the 2004 World Series. The Doug Mirabelli and Tim Wakefield pictures are great, for me, since they were obviously taken during game one. That was the game I was lucky enough to attend. The Varitek picture is a fantastic shot of the celebration following the ending of the championship drought.

Hall of Famers: none

Future Hall of Famers: Pedro Martinez, Manny Ramirez

Reason to Buy the Set: The best reason is right in the title. This set celebrates the 2004 curse breaking world championship. All the key players are there, along with some of the not so key ones. If you need more of a reason than that, you shouldn’t be reading this blog.

Overall Reaction: It’s a great set. As I said above, most of the pictures are actually from the World Series. That’s a cool touch. If you want to remember that series, and that team, this might be the best way to do it. It would look pretty good all framed or displayed in some other way. It’s perfect.

Team Sets: 1988 Topps

Players Included: Marty Barrett, Todd Benzinger, Wade Boggs, Tom Bolton, Dennis Boyd, Ellis Burks, Roger Clemens, Steve Crawford, Dwight Evans, Wes Gardner, Rich Gedman, Mike Greenwell, Sam Horn, Bruce Hurst, John Marzano, Al Nipper, Spike Owen, Jody Reed, Jim Rice, Ed Romero, Joe Sambito, Calvin Schiraldi, Jeff Sellers, Bob Stanley, Marc Sullivan, John McNamara (mgr)

Best Picture: Roger Clemens. Something about this picture has always said “wow” to me. The white border of the card and the red team name call out the white uniform with red lettering. The whole thing just pops. It’s one time where I think the baseball card would look better than the picture would look alone.
Hall of Famers: Wade Boggs, Jim Rice
Future Hall of Famers: Roger Clemens

Reason to buy the set: This was a very hot set at the time. It has the three superstars in Clemens, Boggs, and Rice. It has Mike Greenwell, who was having an MVP type season in ’88. It was also chock full of rookie cards of the group of youngsters that would lead the Sox to several titles. Obviously, it didn’t pan out that way. But, the rookie cards of Benzinger, Burks, Horn, Marzano and Reed were quite the pull. It’s also interesting to have the John McNamara manager card included. 1988 was, of course, the season that McNamara was replaced by Joe Morgan. Morgan Magic took the Sox right into the ALCS.
Overall Reaction: I love the design of the 1988 Topps. The banner with the player name, and the floating team name seem less intrusive than other designs. There’s not a lot to get in the way of the photos. It’s a great set to have, if for no reason other than to remember Morgan Magic, and the amazing run.

Team Sets: 1990 Score

Players Included: Marty Barrett, Greg Blosser, Mike Boddicker, Wade Boggs, Dennis Boyd, Ellis Burks, Rick Cerone, Roger Clemens, Scott Cooper, John Dopson, Nick Esasky, Dwight Evans, Wes Gardner, Rich Gedman, Mike Greenwell, Danny Heep, Eric Hetzel, Randy Kutcher, Dennis Lamp, Rob Murphy, Carlos Quintana, Jody Reed, Kevin Romine, Lee Smith, Mike Smithson, Maurice Vaughn

Best Picture: Rich Gedman. A pure catcher’s shot. Gedman is in full gear, chasing down a ball. His hair is matted from the heat of being under that mask all the time. Since Gedman’s focus appears to be down, I’m assuming he’s not going after a foul pop up. This is obviously a ball that got by him. The look of despair on his face screams that this is the last thing he wants to be doing at this moment.

Hall of Famers: Wade Boggs,

Future Hall of Famers: Roger Clemens

Reason to Buy the Set: Years ago, the Mo Vaughn rookie card would have been the big draw. Nowadays, it rests with the stars, Boggs and Clemens

Overall Reaction: The bridge borders are a slight distraction. For a newer company, the score set was already becoming a little stale. There’s plenty of minor star power in this set, adding the likes of Mike Greenwell, Lee Smith and Dwight Evans to Clemens and Boggs. The set also featured many of the young stars that were supposed to carry the Sox to multiple titles. The homegrown talent was supposed to create a dynasty. Looking back, poor talent selection and poor design make this a rather forgettable set.

Team Sets: 1986 Topps

Players Included: Red Sox leaders (Dwight Evans), Tony Armas, Marty Barrett, Wade Boggs, Dennis Boyd, Bill Buckner, Mark Clear, Roger Clemens, Steve Crawford, Mike Easler, Dwight Evans, Rich Gedman, Jackie Gutierrez, Glenn Hoffman, Bruce Hurst, Ed Jurak, Bruce Kison, Tim Lollar, Steve Lyons, Rick Miller, Al Nipper, Bob Ojeda, Jim Rice, Dave Sax, Bob Stanley, Dave Stapleton, Marc Sullivan, Mike Trujillo, John McNamara (mgr)

Best Picture: Steve Lyons. Lyons was nicknamed “Psycho.” I have to wonder if it’s because of this card. Lyons was obviously not ready to have his picture taken. I can’t believe that Topps didn’t have a better picture than this in the file somewhere. Anything would have to be better than making a player look as foolish as Lyons does on this card.

Hall of Famers: Wade Boggs, Jim Rice

Future Hall of Famers: Roger Clemens

Reason the buy the set: If you’re looking for value, it’s the hall of famers that will carry the set. It doesn’t contain a hotshot rookie. Minor stars like Bill Buckner or Dwight Evans would be nice to have. The main draw for the set is that it is the team set for the team that lost the ’86 World Series, and all the key players are there.

Overall Reaction: The team name on these cards is a little too prominent for me. The player selection is adequate. (The sets of this era usually contained most players on the team.) It’s a nice little set to have.

Team Sets: 1987 Procards Pawtucket Red Sox

Players Included: Andy Araujo, Todd Benzinger, Tom Bolton, Ellis Burks, Chris Cannizzaro, Tony Cleary (trainer), Stephen Curry, Mike Dalton, Chuck Davis, Steve Ellsworth, Glenn Hoffman, Sam Horn, Mitchell Johnson, John Leister, John Marzano, Mark Meleski (coach), Mike Mesh, Gary Miller-Jones, Ed Nottle (mgr), Jody Reed, Mike Rochford, Kevin Romine, Hector Stewart, LaSchelle Tarver, Gary Tremblay, Scott Wade, Dana Williams

Best Picture: LaSchelle Tarver. Tarver could not look more bored. He’s doing what the photographer wants. He’s pretending to swing, but he’s just not into it. I wonder how many poses he had to take before this gem. How about after?

Hall of Famers: none

Future Hall of Famers: none

Reason the buy the set: Ellis Burks went on to have the best major league career of the members of this set. Most of it wasn’t with the Sox, but he did come back in time to get a ring in Boston. Otherwise, there are around ten players in the set who went on to play in the majors.

Overall Reaction: Minor league sets are fun. They contain the stars of tomorrow, as well as the busts. This was a pretty popular set back in the late 80’s due to Burks, Horn, Reed, and Benzinger. The quality of the cards themselves is lacking, as can be expected with a minor league issue. They just feel minor leagues. The design is appealing though, which helps. This would be a must have for fans of Red Sox teams from that era.

Team Sets: 2007 Topps Team Set

Players Included: Josh Beckett, Coco Crisp, JD Drew, Mike Lowell, Julio Lugo, Daisuke Matsuzaka, David Ortiz, Wily Mo Pena, Jonathan Papelbon, Manny Ramirez, Curt Schilling, Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield, Kevin Youkilis

Best Picture: Coco Crisp. Another great shot of a batter in action. Crisp has smacked a ball, and it ready to do what he does best…run. The bat is falling to the ground, and Crisp’s eyes are following the flight of the ball. I can’t help but wonder what happened next.

Hall of Famers: none

Future Hall of Famers: Manny Ramirez. Curt Schilling should just miss. Varitek may be able to make a case, as a catcher, but probably won’t. Papelbon could get there if he keeps going.

Reason to Buy the Set: This is a special “team set” that Topps has started producing in recent years. While the design is the same as the stardard Topps offering, the numbering is different as well as some of the pictures. So, as a Red Sox fan, it’s the only way to get these cards of the Sox players. As a single card, the Daisuke Matsuzaka rookie card is the key aspect.

Overall Reaction: While I like the special “team sets” from Topps, they aren’t quite different enough for me. If I have a “regular” Topps team set and this “special” set, it’s too much of the same design. In this case, though, anything having to do with a championship season ranks pretty high in my book.

Team Sets: 1991 Upper Deck Team Set

Players Included: Larry Anderson, Marty Barrett, Mike Boddicker, Tom Bolton, Wade Boggs, Tom Brunansky, Ellis Burks, Roger Clemens, John Dopson, Dwight Evans, Wes Gardner, Jeff Gray, Mike Greenwell, Greg A. Harris, Dana Kiecker, Mike Marshall, Rob Murphy, Tim Naehring, Tony Pena, Carlos Quintana, Jeff Reardon, Jody Reed, Luis Rivera, Mike Greenwell (CL)

Best Picture: Marty Barrett. A great action shot. Barrett is applying the tag to a potential base stealer. Closer inspection reveals the base runner to be none other than Rickey Henderson. The best part of the shot is that the 1991 UD cards also had a picture on the back. In this case, it’s the continuation of the same play, as Barrett looks to the ump for the call. A little research may be able to find if it was a stolen base, or not. Until then, however, we’re left guessing at the outcome.

Hall of Famers: Wade Boggs

Future Hall of Famers: Roger Clemens

Reason the buy the set: When the set came out, the Phil Plantier was the star attraction. Upper Deck was one of the best versions of Plantier’s rookie card, so prospectors would have hoarded this card during the season. Today, Hall-of-Famer Wade Boggs and legendary Roger Clemens would drive any value the set may contain. With just the two true baseball stars, this set would have more appeal to a Sox fan.

Overall Reaction: The design of the 1991 Upper Decks is a bit stale. In its third year, Upper deck had produced three sets with a line going along the border. While some thought it made the three sets look like baselines (the ’89 stripe was on the right, the ’90 was along the top, ’91 along the left), I think it’s just boring. The quality of the cards and photography was very high, one of the top sets in that area. Upper Deck was really pushing the envelope in those days. It makes for a nice little set.

Team Sets: 1989 Topps

Players Included: Joe Morgan (mgr), Marty Barrett, Todd Benzinger, Mike Boddicker, Wade Boggs, Tom Bolton, Dennis Boyd, Ellis Burks, Rick Cerone, Roger Clemens, Steve Curry, Steve Ellsworth, Dwight Evans, Wes Gardner, Rich Gedman, Mike Greenwell, Bruce Hurst, Dennis Lamp, Spike Owen, Larry Parrish, Carlos Quintana, Jody Reed, Jim Rice, Jeff Sellers, Lee Smith, Mike Smithson, Bob Stanley

Best Picture: Bruce Hurst. Here we have Sox star lefty Bruce Hurst…scratching his elbow! What a great moment in the game. I’m thankful that Topps was on hand to record this instance in baseball history.

Hall of Famers: Wade Boggs, Jim Rice

Future Hall of Famers: Roger Clemens

Reason the buy the set: While the player selection isn’t exactly stacked, there are several quality players in the set. With Lee Smith and three (future) Hall-of-Famers, the star quality is there. This set also contains the core of the fun teams of the late 80’s and early 90’s. Excitement was riding high in those years with the young group of homegrown talent the Sox were playing on a nightly basis.

Overall Reaction: I like the design of the ’89 Topps set. It’s an artistic yet simple way to display the basic elements of a card. It’s a set, and a team, I think of fondly.

Team Sets: 1988 Donruss Team Set

Players Included: Marty Barrett, Todd Benzinger, Wade Boggs, Oil Can Boyd, Ellis Burks, Roger Clemens, Dwight Evans, Wes Gardner, Rich Gedman, Mike Greenwell, Sam Horn, Bruce Hurst, John Marzano, Al Nipper, Spike Owen, Jody Reed, Jim Rice, Ed Romero, Calvin Schiraldi, Jeff Sellers, Bob Stanley, Oil Can Boyd

Best Picture: Oil Can Boyd. For some reason, this picture reminds me of the wackiness that was Oil Can. He’s showing the high leg kick, and peering over his shoulder at the batter. It just looks like fun to me.

Hall of Famers: Wade Boggs, Jim Rice

Future Hall of Famers: Roger Clemens

Reason the buy the set: The three stars from the set are, obviously, Boggs, Rice, and Clemens. They would drive the set. Also included are the rookie cards of Ellis Burks, Todd Benzinger, Sam Horn, John Marzano, and Jody Reed. While not much of an issue these days, rookie cards are always nice to have. And, Burks made a nice little career for himself.

Overall Reaction: This is a fun set. I like the design of the Donruss cards this year, looking a little bit like a ribbon wrapped around a package. It’s also a fun set to remember a great group of Red Sox players. The Sox made the playoffs this year, thanks to some Morgan Magic and a collection of homegrown stars. It’s a nice snapsot in Red Sox history.

Team Sets: 1991 Topps Team Set

Players Included: Larry Anderson, Marty Barrett, Mike Boddicker, Wade Boggs, Tom Bolton, Tom Brunansky, Ellis Burks, Roger Clemens, John Dopson, Dwight Evans, Wes Gardner, Jeff Gray, Mike Greenwell, Greg Harris, Joe Hesketh, Daryl Irvine, Dana Kiecker, Dennis Lamp, Mike Marshall, John Marzano, Rob Murphy, Tim Naehring, Tony Pena, Phil Plantier, Carlos Quintana, Jeff Reardon, Jody Reed, Luis Rivera, Kevin Romine, Joe Morgan (mgr)

Best Picture: Tony Pena. A perfect picture for a defensive marvel such as Pena. It looks to be a spring training picture, due to the blue uniform top. Nevertheless, Pena has apparently blocked a ball in the dirt, and is ready to gun down a runner if he tries to advance. It just screams pure baseball.

Hall of Famers: Wade Boggs

Future Hall of Famers: Roger Clemens

Reason the buy the set: As the lone-Hall-of Famer, Wade Boggs is the key card to the set. Even Post-Mitchell Report, Clemens is a huge draw, but he’s dropped a bit. Back in the day, the Phil Plantier rookie card would have driven the set. The set also includes Larry Anderson, the man the Sox acquired for Jeff Bagwell.

Overall Reaction: This is a nice clean set. I enjoy the design, simplistic as it may be. While, the set is lacking in true stars, there are several players who would be memorable to Sox fans. That is especially true since most of the players that were swept out of the 1990 ALCS appear in this set. While it doesn’t highlight the prime era for the Red Sox, they’re a nice grouping of cards. The combination of horizontal and vertical images is a nice change of pace, and allows for some unique photography.