The package contained a mix of then and now and I couldn’t help but see the passage of time in the card contents, what/who was supposedly a big deal then and what/who is supposedly a big deal now.
Take this pack of 1991 Stadium Club that was part of the send. This was the first Stadium Club set and something I totally missed out on in 1991 (Most of my focus was on Topps flagship, Score and here-and-there purchases of Fleer and Upper Deck). My introduction to Stadium Club took place the following year.
But I certainly heard about the brand at the time. “Premium” sets were a big deal. The cards were “upscale” for the time. And Stadium Club hit it home on the wrapper by mentioning that Kodak was involved and displaying the Kodak label. For anyone who grew up in the mid-20th century, Kodak was synonymous with film and photography. My very first cheap film camera (the rectangular kind with the square flash cube and the opening for film in the back) was a Kodak.
Almost surprisingly, both Kodak and Stadium Club are still thing, though not quite the big deal they once were.
I’m opening this pack now, mostly because I’ve never opened a pack of 1991 Stadium Club. Aside from the Dodgers in the set I have maybe 12 other cards. So these cards from 35 years ago are mostly new to me!
Let’s look at the faded glossy shine:
30 – Scott Fletcher, White Sox
I have to show the back for at least one card. Stadium Club really made backs interesting again, though the left side of the card got uninteresting really quick. The showcase was the image of the player’s rookie card. I would always look forward to getting a longtime veteran in my SC packs to see an image of a card from the ’70s or even ’60s because those were cards I didn’t have.
102 – Ron Karkovice, White Sox
White Sox hot pack. Karkovice is wearing the throwback that card companies loved featuring on their 1991 cards.
257 – Gregg Jefferies, Mets
That’s the Giants’ Brett Butler sliding in.
142 – Dennis Boyd, Expos
This is the most interesting card in the pack for me. Believe it or not, I’ve never seen it before.
I knew Stadium Club pushed the BARS statistical diagrams hard, I had no idea that there were BOOKS.
Can you imagine including that much text in a card pack today?
121 – Tim Jones, Cardinals
This pack includes mostly younger guys. The earliest rookie card on the back is from 1984. Jones’ is from 1990 and that was so boring in 1991/92.
272 – Danny Tartabull, Royals
152 – Tim Belcher, Dodgers
The one card I know I have.
98 – Bryan Harvey, Angels
164 – Chris Bosio, Brewers
137 – Dave Rohde, Astros
His rookie card on the back is from 1991 Topps Debut. Lame.
188 – Allan Anderson, Twins
11 – Jose Rijo, Reds
All right, not the most exciting pack, but I appreciate the Boyd and the Rijo.
As far as the individual cards that Rod sent, there was more Stadium Club, including some guys who were a big deal back in the day. I can take or leave some of these. I’ll always enjoy a new Craig Biggio card. Barry Larkin and Nomar are fun, too, and, sure, I’ll take a pink Larry Walker. I don’t know why we need new A-Rod cards.
One more legend going way back (but on a card only three or four years old). There were other legends players in the package but a couple will be going to other collectors.
Rod really hit the mark with the present-day Dodgers though. All of these are from 2025/2026 and stuff I no longer have to chase. That is A Big Deal to me now!
But this is the best. It’s so tough to get even base cards of Shohei Ohtani. This is exciting, ESPECIALLY, the 2024 Heritage mini card. I’ve had a slot reserved for it in my mini set-build (not that I’ll ever finish it) and now possibly the toughest card that I still needed is mine.
Yeah, you could say Ohtani in my collection is a big deal these days.
One card to show, not related to anything else really:
An IP/TTM card of former L.A. King Charlie Huddy.
I think this is my first non-Sabres hockey autograph, I’ll have to check. Huddy played a little with the Sabres near the end of his career but he’s mostly known for all his years with those great 1980s Edmonton Oilers teams.
You know, back when the Oilers were a big deal. They’re not quite as big now (but did make the playoffs!)