Chasing the 2004 Fleer Greats of The Game Baseball set, Part 2.

As we do a deep dive into this set, let’s talk numbers; this set evolves the more you dig. There are two series in this set, the Greats of the Game edition and the Cut Signature edition. Let‘s tackle the Greats of the Game edition first.

There are 80 base player cards, each with a blue border parallel. That makes 160. Sixty-one (61) of these base cards also appear as a Gold Border Autograph (GBA) variation. That adds up to 221 cards.

 

Here lies the first interesting twist of the set. I believe that the GBA variation (GBA-PR) of the Phil Rizzuto base card (#18) and the GBA variation (GBR-KP) of Kirby Puckett were issued as redemption cards. This terrific set was produced as Fleer was experiencing significant financial trouble and on its way to being purchased by Upper Deck. Many accounts tell of an unorganized (at best) redemption program. Many of these redemption cards ended up being sold at the liquidation sale in 2005 or distributed after the sale. These are difficult cards to come by. I have been able to obtain the Puckett GBA card and I was fortunate enough to have Scooter sign my base card but I’m still searching for the GBA Rizzuto redemption card.

 

Let’s keep going! There is a 10-card Battery Mates subset found in the Greats of the Game edition, featuring prolific pitcher/catcher combos. Eight of these come as a single cut signature variation and 6 more carry a dual cut signature variation. That’s 24 for the Battery Mates and moves the dial on our total to 245.

 

 

With my next post, I’ll get into the Glory Of their Time (GOT) subset, which features game used memorabilia and patch cards and then we will address the “big boy” cards as I mentioned earlier.

Until then, enjoy your Sunday!