1996 Topps: What I have so far

Another favorite set of mine, I remember buying a handful of Series 1 packs of '96 Topps, and pulling a '52 Topps Mickey Mantle insert and a Ken Griffey, Jr. card in the same pack. I didn't get too many packs of Series 2, but I did buy a few team sets with a special logo on them (Braves, Indians, Mariners, and Yankees). Each had a special jumbo card, and I believe I still have all 4. I finally bought the complete set about 10 years ago. I love the way this set looks, with the little details like an orange shadow on the front of AL players, and green for the NL ones (same for the color of the home plate on the backs). This is another set that I think should get more love from collectors. Now, making customs of this set is a pain in the butt. Having to basically do a cutout of the main photo, shrink it, and get it colored blue, is a chore, but I think it will be worth it when I can finally look at the finished 1996 Topps set, hopefully in a few years. Here is what I've gathered so far.

 Alex Rodriguez by Topps

 Kirk Gibson by Richard

 Sparky Anderson Manager by Richard

 Bobby Cox Manager by Richard

 Ron Darling by Richard

 John Kruk by Richard

 Johnny Oates Manager by GCRL

 Rob Dibble by Richard

 Ned Yost by Richard

 Gregg Olson by Jay's Cards and Stuff

 Rafael Bournigal by Topps

 Tom Lasorda Manager by GCRL

 Dusty Baker Manager by GCRL

 Bill Russell Coach by GCRL

 Omar Olivares by Condition Sensitive

 Don Zimmer Coach by Richard

 Don Baylor Coach by Richard

 (I took this picture in Spring Training in 1996)

 Jim Leyland Manager by Richard

 Chris Chambliss/Jose Cardenal/Bob Gibson/Red Schoendienst Coaches by Richard

 Jim Rice Coach by Richard

 Tony LaRussa Manager by Richard

 Lou Piniella Manager by Richard

 Cito Gaston Manager by Richard

 Eddie Murray Season Highlights by Richard

 Robin Ventura Season Highlights by Richard

 Greg Maddux Season Highlights by Richard

 (I took this picture in Spring Training 1996)

 David Justice Postseason Highlights by Richard

 Eddie Murray Postseason Highlights by Richard

 Atlanta Braves Postseason Highlights by Richard

 Wrigley Field by Richard

 Coors Field by Richard

 Joe Robbie Stadium by Richard

 Charles Johnson Future Stars by Richard

 Shea Stadium by Richard

 I took this photo during Spring Training in 1996

 Busch Stadium by Richard

 Candlestick Park by Richard

 Fernando Valenzuela by Richard

 Fenway Park by Richard

 Angels Stadium by Richard

 Jacobs Field by Richard

 Kauffman Stadium by Richard

 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome by Richard

 Yankee Stadium by Richard

 The Kingdome by Richard

 Skydome by Richard

 Alan Trammell Coach by Richard

 I showed this custom to Barry Lyons, and he was impressed with the job I did getting him to look like he was in a White Sox uniform (the original picture shows him in an Angel uniform).

 Carlos Delgado Future Star by Richard

 Jorge Posada by Richard

 Ryan Dempster Draft Pick by Richard

 Joe Nathan Draft Pick by Richard

 Mike Lowell Draft Pick by Richard

Another '96 Spring Training photo.

The 1998 Topps set is coming along little by little. We are past card #1050, and into the pitching staff of the San Diego Padres. I'm plugging away, so don't be surprised when I post that the NL is finished. I probably won't do a "What I have so far" post of '98 Topps, but I will keep you updated. I will also probably keep going with the theme up through some of the more current sets, and I think I will combine a few years that I only have a few cards in. I hope you enjoyed the 1996 cards.

Thanks for checking out my latest post.

-Jeremy