Friday, April 29, 2022

1971 Milk Duds Cubs Checklist

Who would ever collect these weird, mostly unknown cubs memorabilia? Well, I do, and if you do, then you're a hard-core Cubs collector.

Number of Cards

Milk Duds National League set had 37 cards in 1971, with 10 Cubs players.

Size of Cards

When cut correctly, the 1971 Milk Duds baseball card set consists of cards that are 1 13/16" by 2 5/8".

Basic Features

There are 32 American League cards and 37 National League cards in the Milk Duds set from 1971. The cards are numbered, but only on the flap of the box. National Leaguers are numbered 33-69, while American Leaguers are numbered 1-32. The cards were issued on the backs of five-cent boxes of Milk Duds sweets and are sepia-toned on a tan backdrop. Milt Pappas: He is shown in an Orioles cap. However, he was traded to the Cubs on June 23, 1970. Also, Glenn Beckert’s first name was missing the second "n."

Chicago Cubs Base Checklist

Player
Ernie Banks
Glen Beckert ERR/(sic, Glenn)
Jim Hickman
Ken Holtzman
Randy Hundley
Fergie Jenkins
Don Kessinger
Milt Pappas/(pictured in/Oriole uniform)
Ron Santo
Billy Williams



Front of the package

Saturday, April 23, 2022

1962 Auravision Records Ernie Banks

Who would ever collect these weird, mostly unknown cubs memorabilia? Well, I do, and if you do, then you're a hard-core Cubs collector.

Number of Cards

In 1962 Auravision Records had 16 records, of which 1 was a Cubs player, the great Ernie Banks.

Size of Cards

The size of the records are approximately 6 ¾ inches by 6 ¾ inches

Basic Features

The records were available through a mail-in promotion from Milk Duds candy or Meadow Gold milk. It featured some high-quality photos with colorful borders on the front and back.

On the grooved front, there was a color photograph with a facsimile autograph, a sports trophy insignia, and a notice stating the record was 33 1/3 RPM. A career overview and complete major-league statistics, as well as another photo of the player, are included on the back.

When played on a record player, the player would describe various aspects of his career or offer guidance in his own voice. Columbia Records handled the distribution.

In his own words, Ernie Banks' batting




Set Information

These can be differentiated from the later (and more common) 1964 set by the stats only being listed through the 1961 season. Both this set and the 1964 set have a 1962 copyright date and the "Columbia" record trademark is NOT boxes in the 1962 set.

1962 + 1964 Auravision Chicago Cubs Checklist

Number Player
1 1962 Ernie Banks
2 1964 Ernie Banks




1962 Ernie Banks

1964 Ernie Banks

Milk Duds candy or Meadow Gold milk

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

2008 Topps Allen and Ginter Cubs Checklist

Number of Cards

2008 Topps Allen & Ginter has 351 cards which there are 8 Cubs players with 2 SP

Size of Cards

Cards are standard-size 2 ½ x 3 ½

Basic Features

Topps Allen and Ginter, which debuted in 2006, quickly became one of the company's most popular offerings. Current and retired baseball players, historical luminaries, current celebrities, and the occasional monument were all depicted on the cards. Each set included 300 base cards, 50 short prints, an autograph, and a set of game-used inserts.

For several years, Topps has been framing mini cards with autographs or gamed minis inside in their retro-tobacco themed sets. This concept was carried over into Topps Allen and Ginter, which included both an autograph and a game-used collection. Also inserted into packs were original A and G that were framed similar to the relic and autographed cards. Allen and Ginter are also known for their box topper insert sets of slightly oversized cards, as well as low serial number autographs and game-used cards.

In 2008, Topps marked the third anniversary of the popular Allen and Ginter series. Cards 301-351 were published as short prints and are part of the base set.

A base card of Kosuke Fukudome (the "flavor-of-the-month" rookie of 2008) was added to the base set late in the production run. The card is not sequentially-numbered and is short-printed; but produced in roughly the same quantities as the 50 other base cards (cards #301-#350) that are short prints. The "NNO" Fukudome is only available as a base card and NOT in any of the parallels.

2008 marked the first year of the DNA Relics inserts that would become a staple in Topps Allen and Ginter. It was also the first year when insert cards based on fictional people or things were included in the set.

Allen & Ginter Chicago Cubs Checklist

Number Player
25 Aramis Ramirez
96 Carlos Zambrano
118 Geovany Soto
160 Alfonso Soriano
226 Rich Hill
289 Derrek Lee
301 Felix Pie SP
NNO Kosuke Fukudome SP


Saturday, April 16, 2022

2022 Bowman 1st Edition

Number of Cards

2022 Bowman 1st Edition has 150 cards which there are 9 Cubs players

Size of Cards

The size of the cards are standard-size 2 ½ x 3 ½

Basic Features

Bowman 1st Edition Baseball 2022 includes 150 base Bowman cards with the addition of the "1st Edition" emblem. In addition, the First Edition has eight foil counterparts, which are detailed below.

  •     Sky Blue Foil (1:2 packs)
  •     Blue Foil /150 (1:17 packs)
  •     Yellow Foil /75 (1:33 packs)
  •     Gold Foil /50 (1:49 packs)
  •     Orange Foil /25 (1:98 packs)
  •     Black Foil /10 (1:244 packs)
  •     Red Foil /5 (1:488 packs)


There are a couple of inserts which include Prospector’s Special die-cuts (1:1,513 packs) and Chrome Prospect Autographs (1:260 packs).

Chrome Prospect Autographs
Jordan Wicks

The front of the card has a first edition logo on it with a player action shot photo, position and team logo. On the back of the card is a bio, a Bowman briefing about their career, and a major league batting record if any.

Chicago Cubs Checklist

Number Player
BPPF-31 Kevin Alcantara
BPPF-37 Brennen Davis
BPPF-44 Reginald Preciado
BPPF-64 Ed Howard
BPPF-66 Cristian Hernandez
BPPF-95 Yohendrick Pinango
BPPF-102 Pete Crow-Armstrong
BPPF-124 Ronnier Quintero
BPPF-147 Luis Verdugo

Monday, April 4, 2022

Kris Bryant Rookie Cards Checklist

Bryant was a collegiate All-American in 2012 and 2013. The Cubs selected him second overall in the 2013 MLB draft, and he quickly established himself as one of the game's top prospects. Bryant debuted in the major leagues in 2015. He was named to the National League's (NL) All-Star team and won the Rookie of the Year Award. In 2016, he was chosen an All-Star for the second time, won the World Series with the Cubs, and was voted the National League's Most Valuable Player.

It's all about the pre-rookies because they are inexpensive and enjoyable to collect, and every now and then one of those pre-rookies, like Bryant, becomes famous.

A pre-rookie card is any card that has been printed before a player's debut at the major league level.

Kris Bryant Rookie and Pre Rookie Checklist

Year Set
Pre Rookie Cards
2009 Bowman AFLAC #KB2 Kris Bryant
2009 Bowman AFLAC Autographs #KB Kris Bryant /235
2012 USA Baseball #2 Kris Bryant
2012 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Jerseys #2 Kris Bryant/99
2012 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Signatures #2 Kris Bryant/399
2013 Boise Hawks Grandstand #6 Kris Bryant
2013 Bowman Sterling Prospects #11 Kris Bryant
2013 Bowman Draft Dual Draftee #BM Kris Bryant/Colin Moran
2013 Elite Extra Edition Elite Series #2 Kris Bryant
2013 Elite Extra Edition Scouting 101 #19 Kris Bryant
2013 Elite Extra Edition #102 Kris Bryant AU/324
2013 Leaf Memories #KB1 Kris Bryant
2013 Leaf Memories Autographs #KB1 Kris Bryant
2013 Leaf Metal Draft #KB1 Kris Bryant
2013 Leaf Metal Draft State Pride #KB1 Kris Bryant
2013 Leaf Metal Draft Top Picks #KB1 Kris Bryant
2013 Rize Draft #11 Kris Bryant
2013 Rize Draft Emergence #2 Kris Bryant
2013 Rize Draft Prodigy #3 Kris Bryant
2013 Rize Draft World Class #2 Kris Bryant
2013 USA Baseball Champions #127 Kris Bryant
2013 USA Baseball Champions Game Gear Bats #1 Kris Bryant
2013 USA Baseball Champions Game Gear Jerseys #26 Kris Bryant
2013 USA Baseball Champions National Team Certified Signatures #2 Kris Bryant/299
2013 Panini Prizm Perennial Draft Picks #102 Kris Bryant DC
2013 Panini Prizm Perennial Draft Picks Minors
2013 Panini Prizm Perennial Draft Picks Press Clippings #6 Kris Bryant/100
2014 Iowa Cubs Brandt #10 Kris Bryant
2014 Tennessee Smokies Grandstand #5 Kris Bryant
2014 Topps Heritage Minors #30A Kris Bryant
2014 Topps Heritage Minors #30B Kris Bryant/Green background SP
2014 Topps Heritage Minors Clubhouse Collection Relics #CCRKB Kris Bryant
2014 Topps Heritage Minors Manufactured Cap Logo #MPKB Kris Bryant
2014 Immaculate Collection Multisport Autographs #109C Kris Bryant BB
2014 Bowman Draft Top Prospects #TP62 Kris Bryant
2014 Bowman Prospects #BP25 Kris Bryant
2014 Bowman Prospect Autographs #PAKB Kris Bryant
2014 Bowman Prospects Hometown #BP25 Kris Bryant
2014 Bowman Platinum Prospects #BPP40 Kris Bryant
2014 Bowman Platinum Prospect Autographs #APKB Kris Bryant
2014 Bowman Platinum Top Prospects Die Cuts #TPKB Kris Bryant
2014 Bowman Platinum Toolsy Die Cuts #TDCKB Kris Bryant
2014 Bowman Sterling Prospects #BSP1 Kris Bryant
2014 Classics Significant Signatures Silver #45 Kris Bryant/299
2014 Bowman Chrome Prospects #BCP25 Kris Bryant
2014 Bowman Chrome Top 100 Prospects #BTP8 Kris Bryant
2014 Bowman Chrome Draft Top Prospects #CTP62 Kris Bryant
2014 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs #BCAPKB Kris Bryant
2014 Leaf Trinity Pure Autographs Charcoal #PKB1
2014 Leaf Metal Draft #BAKB1 Kris Bryant SP
2014 Leaf Valiant Draft Honor Guard #HGKB1 Kris Bryant SP
2014 Leaf Peck and Snyder Promos #24? Kris Bryant BB
2014 Panini Prizm Autographs Prizms #KB Kris Bryant
2014 Panini Prizm Next Era #2 Kris Bryant
2014 Panini Prizm Next Era Prizms #2 Kris Bryant
2014 Panini Prizm Perennial Draft Picks Minors Gold Prizms #9 Kris Bryant
2014 Panini National Convention #KB Kris Bryant BB
Rookie Cards
2015 Bowman Chrome #200 Kris Bryant RC
2015 Bowman's Best #50 Kris Bryant RC
2015 Elite #188 Kris Bryant RC
2015 Finest #111 Kris Bryant SP RC
2015 Stadium Club #300 Kris Bryant RC
2015 Topps Allen and Ginter #85 Kris Bryant RC
2015 Topps Archives #314 Kris Bryant SP RC
2015 Topps Chrome #112 Kris Bryant RC
2015 Topps Five Star Autographs #FSAKB Kris Bryant RC
2015 Topps Heritage #725A Kris Bryant SP RC
2015 Topps Heritage '51 Collection #25 Kris Bryant RC
2015 Topps High Tek #HTKB Kris Bryant B RC
2015 Topps Mini #616 Kris Bryant RC
2015 Topps Triple Threads #73 Kris Bryant RC
2015 Topps Update #US78 Kris Bryant RC

Kris Bryant's first card from 2009 is seen below. Bowman AFLAC is a series of card sets issued in association with the All-American Classic, an annual high school all-star game featuring some of the top players in the country. The game's presenting sponsor was the American Family Life Assurance Company (AFLAC).


Kris Bryant was named to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team a few years later. Patches, autograps, and a combination of the two are all included in this set.




Now that Kris Bryant is with the Cubs, he is starting to appear on some minor league clubs and has his first Bowman card.



As you can see, 2014 was the end of his pre-rookie period. He is now in triple A and also featured on the heritage sets, not to mention 2nd year Bowman.

above card is a SP




FINALLY, these are his official RC cards. I did not even come close to listing all of his cards over the early years; there were way too many paralles and inserts to mention.


Kris Bryant's autograph has evolved significantly throughout the years. His complete name appeared on his high school autograph, but during his rookie season, it had been modified to KBT.