Next on my radar to complete after Goudey was the Cracker Jack sets Topps put out in 2004 and 2005. These were nice sets based on the originals issued by Cracker Jack in 1914 and 1915. Since there were only two years released, this was pretty easy to put together.
The 2004 set had 250 cards in it and nine of them were Cubs. The cards all make use of the same background, green grass and red sky.
2004 was the year the Cubs were going to go all the way. They just missed making it to the World Series in 2003 and added Greg Maddux and Derrek Lee to the roster. The rest of the rotation was full of young stud arms and everything seemed so promising. Being the Cubs, however, means promises unfulfilled. That makes looking at these cards bittersweet.
Moises Alou
Ryan Harvey - a prospect who never panned out
Greg Maddux, back in Cubbie blue
Corey Patterson, was still full of promise, coming off a good 2003 until he blew out his knee.
Felix Pie, with two cards, one #80 and the other #181. I guess in the 1914 Cracker Jack set there were numbering issues, so Topps reproduced some of them.
Mark Prior, man were we full of hope about him in 2004.
Sammy Sosa, this card, like Pie's is also #80. Like the fans hope, Sammy's popularity on the North Side was smashed in 2004.
Kerry Wood
these are really nice cards. Where did you even find such a set?
ReplyDeleteI bought most of the cards off of Sportlots, with the remaining coming from ebay. It was pretty quick, pretty easy, and not too hard on the wallet either.
ReplyDeleteI thought the post might be "Buy me some peanuts and...dump your beer on Shane Victorino's head."
ReplyDeleteI like this post much better than that theoretical post. Cracker Jack cards are cool.