Tag Archives: inning

7TH INNING STRETCH BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The tradition of the 7th inning stretch in Major League Baseball games can be traced back to the early 1900s. As fans grew tired from the summer heat, they would stand up and stretch their legs during the bottom of the 7th inning. Over time, this organic fan activity evolved into a full-fledged tradition where the entire stadium would stand together and sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” led by the organist.

In the 1970s, baseball card companies saw an opportunity to capitalize on this beloved ritual. Topps was the first to introduce “7th Inning Stretch” cards in their 1972 set. These special oversized cards featured colorful artwork depicting fans stretching and singing along. While they didn’t include any player statistics or bios, collectors eagerly snatched them up as novel souvenirs of their favorite team’s ballpark experience.

The novelty and nostalgia of the 7th inning stretch proved to be a hit with collectors. Topps continued to include similar oversized cards in most of their sets through the 1970s and 1980s. Other companies like Fleer and Donruss soon followed suit with their own innovative takes on the tradition. Fleer’s “7th Inning Stretch” cards from 1974-1978 had die-cut holes representing the baseball stadium, allowing fans to peek through. Donruss released a “7th Inning Stretch” mini-poster card in 1979 that folded out like a program.

Beyond just commemorating the fan ritual itself, many 7th inning stretch cards paid homage to iconic ballparks. Topps’ 1975 set included individual cards spotlighting the 7th inning traditions at Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium and more. Fleer took it a step further with their innovative “Ballpark Panoramas” cards from 1977-1979 that folded out like an accordion to reveal a 360-degree view of the stadium. These provided young collectors with a vivid glimpse into the cathedrals of the national pastime before the era of widespread televised games.

The subject matter and artistic styles of 7th inning stretch cards varied greatly. While most depicted jovial fans singing and cheering, others took a more whimsical approach. Donruss included a “Stretching Yoga” card in 1981 showing fans contorting into poses. The 1987 Topps set featured a “Ballpark Foods” card listing popular stadium snacks. Fleer even tried their hand at humorous political satire with cards like “Stretching with the President” in 1980 showing Jimmy Carter leading fans in activity. No matter the tone, these unique cards brought the ballpark experience directly to collectors.

As baseball card inserts evolved to focus more on star players, 7th inning stretch cards began to fade in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The tradition was kept alive through the 1990s mostly in the form of mini-posters inserted randomly in wax packs rather than dedicated spots in the base set. The novelty and nostalgia factor of commemorating the fan experience never fully went away.

In the 2000s and 2010s, 7th inning stretch cards made occasional comeback appearances tailored to new collector interests. Topps Heritage sets from 2005 onward brought back the classic oversized style with new retro-inspired artwork. Upper Deck even experimented with “ballpark sound” cards in 2007 that included a QR code linking to audio of the 7th inning stretch at various stadiums.

Most recently in 2021, Topps Project 70 paid homage to the tradition with a card showing fans stretching to “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” While no longer an annual fixture in modern sets, these periodic throwbacks demonstrate the enduring legacy of 7th inning stretch cards in capturing the magic of America’s pastime from the fan perspective inside the ballpark. After half a century, they remain a unique bridge between the on-field game and off-field experience so integral to the national identity of baseball.

10TH INNING BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

Baseball cards from the 10th inning brand are a niche but popular collectible for dedicated fans. 10th Inning was founded in 2002 with the goal of producing high-quality trading cards focusing on specific players, seasons, or aspects of baseball history that were underserved by the major card publishers at the time.

The brand began by acquiring licensing rights to produce sets commemorating past MLB seasons, such as “1965 Topps Tribute” which replicated the design of that year’s Topps flagship set. This allowed collectors a chance to build sets of seasons that hadn’t seen reissue sets in years. 10th Inning also started inserting autographed and memorabilia cards of star players from the commemorated seasons into their sets at slightly higher pull rates than the big companies.

Over the next few years 10th Inning expanded their scope, producing both standard and premium sets organized around individual players rather than seasons. Sets paying tribute to legends like Bob Gibson, Hank Aaron, and Nolan Ryan gave collectors focused collections of their favorite stars. Autograph and memorabilia relic cards remained a specialty, with 10th Inning acquiring signed items not previously available in mass-produced sets from the likes of Topps and Upper Deck.

As they gained popularity in the collectibles market, 10th Inning was able to sign licensing deals with more recent MLB seasons not yet in the public domain, like the late 1980s. Their “1987 Topps Tribute” set helped build interest in a nostalgic period for baseball before the steroid era. Higher production values with embossed logos and uniform rendering also kept 10th Inning cards visually appealing alongside the slick graphics of modern issues.

In the 2010s, 10th Inning released some of their most ambitious projects ever. A definitive 12-part “1967 Topps Project” issued serially from 2010-2012 aimed to reproduce that entire original 660-card set with updated photography and autographs of all featured players. Contemporaneous premium “Prizm” refractors offered the latest card tech alongside classic designs.

One of their most popular innovations was inserting short biography cards detailing little-known facts about players throughout their sets. These depth pieces helped add context and intimacy to the cardboard that deeper collecting communities appreciated. 10th Inning also wasn’t afraid to produce sets around niche themes that the bigger companies overlooked, like cards fully dedicated to baseball’s Hispanic stars.

As the flagship product, autograph cards remain a defining aspect of 10th Inning’s catalog. They hold the exclusive autograph rights to some retired players, helping drive interest. Triple relic cards incorporating swatches of jersey, cap, and sometimes ball or bat pieces from specific game-used equipment also provide collectors unusually specialized pieces of baseball history in card form.

While 10th Inning will never achieve the print runs or universal recognition of brands like Topps, within passionate communities of vintage collectors they are widely respected. Their focus on careful reproduction of classic designs as well as supplying unique signed pieces helps 10th Inning cards appeal to collectors looking to remember or learn about baseball history. As the major publishers have consolidated their product lines, smaller independent brands like 10th Inning are more vital than ever to serve dedicated niches.

For passionate collectors, 10th Inning represents a chance to build specialized collections focused on favorite players or eras outside the confines of the mass-produced mainstream issues. Their premium signed cards also hold valeur as desirable items for resale. While production quality and autograph/relic rights fluctuate year-to-year, 10th Inning has persevered for two decades delivering high-end proects that honor baseball’s rich traditions through the remembrance of its cardboard past. Their dedicated following ensures 10th Inning baseball cards will remain a staple for heritage collecting audiences for years to come.

10TH INNING BASEBALL CARDS PINOLE

Leave a reply

Introduction to 10th Inning Baseball Cards Pinole

Pinole is a company based in Richmond, California that produces a unique brand of baseball cards known as 10th Inning cards. What sets 10th Inning cards apart from traditional baseball cards is that they focus exclusively on players from the late innings of games, capturing dramatic walk-off wins, clutch relief appearances, and other noteworthy late-game performances. By zeroing in on these tense moments from the 6th inning onward, 10th Inning cards offer a novel viewing lens for reliving baseball history.

In this article, we will take an in-depth look at 10th Inning cards and what makes them such a captivating niche product for serious baseball collectors. We’ll cover the history and origins of the brand, explore some of their most popular and valuable cards over the years, and gain insight into how they select which players and performances to commemorate. By the end, readers will have a thorough understanding of 10th Inning’s unique focus and why their cards continue finding devoted fans within the hobby.

The Origins of 10th Inning Baseball Cards

10th Inning cards first emerged in 2005 when founders Adam and Jennifer Paul wanted to start a baseball card line with a truly unique premise. Both lifelong baseball enthusiasts, they felt that the most dramatic moments in games often unfolded late, as teams mounted comebacks or held on for key victories. Traditional card sets mostly focused on compiling career stats and milestones rather than highlighting these pressure-packed late innings.

Seeking to fill this gap, the Pauls launched 10th Inning with a dedication to commemorating clutch performances from the 6th inning on. Their inaugural ’05 set featured 90 cards spanning from that season going back to the 1990s. Players included Pedro Martinez striking out the side with the bases loaded in the 1999 All-Star Game and Brad Lidge notching a five-out save to clinch the 2005 NLCS for Houston.

The concept was an immediate hit, appealing to collectors who enjoyed reliving baseball’s most tense moments. Subsequent yearly sets from 10th Inning expanded coverage further while maintaining the late-innings theme. Today, the company is still going strong with new releases each season spanning all MLB teams and eras in their signature high-energy style.

Notable 10th Inning Baseball Cards Over the Years

With nearly two decades in business by now, 10th Inning has produced thousands of unique cards spotlighting clutch baseball situations. Here are some particularly notable examples that stand out both for their compelling on-field moments and subsequent collector value:

Mariano Rivera’s final Yankee Stadium appearance (2013) – Marks his emotional farewell complete game vs. Tampa Bay

Francisco Rodriguez saves the Angels’ 2002 World Series win (2007 card) – Iconic image from his record-setting postseason

Travis Ishikawa’s NL Wild Card walk-off (2015) – His booming 3-run shot for SF vs. Pittsburgh

Scott Spiezio’s Game 6 World Series homer (2002) – His unlikely 3-run shot sealed Anaheim’s title

David Ortiz’s 2004 ALCS grand slam (2005) – Legendary blast erased Yankees’ 3-0 deficit

Kirby Puckett’s clinching World Series HR (1996) – Sparked Twins’ 11th inning comeback vs. Braves

These are among the highest valued 10th Inning cards due to the magnitude of the moments captured and players featured. But there are many more yet to appreciate from the brand’s deep catalog.

Selecting Players and Performances

A major part of 10th Inning’s ongoing appeal is the care taken to highlight new clutch situations as they occur each MLB season. The company’s scouts and researchers comb box scores and footage to identify potential late-game milestones. They look for dramatic comeback efforts, walk-offs, multi-RBI hits in high-leverage spots, and stellar relief appearances under pressure.

Once potential moments are flagged, the selection committee evaluates various factors like the win probability shifted by the player’s contribution and the overall significance of the situation within that team’s season narrative. Present ability is also considered to ensure featured athletes continue performing at a high level.

The committee aims to represent all 30 teams each year while keeping approximately 75-100 total players per set released. With over 25,000 games played annually across MLB, 10th Inning has no shortage of compelling late-game material to choose from. This selection diligence helps maintain their brand identity focusing only on the game’s most tension-filled innings.

Continued Success and Future Outlook

As one of the longest-running independent sports card brands, 10th Inning has steadily grown an avid collector following thanks to providing a unique baseball card viewing experience. While mainstream sets showcase career stats and milestones, 10th Inning zeroes in purely on an event’s drama from the 6th inning on.

This niche focus has resonated strongly with fans fascinated by pressure-packed moments that can turn a game on its head. Looking ahead, 10th Inning seems well-positioned to continue thriving by maintaining their signature style highlighting each new season’s most exciting late-inning plays. With baseball always delivering upsets and surprises deep into contests, their potential subject matter pool appears limitless.

As long as clutch performances remain part of America’s pastime, 10th Inning baseball cards should stay in high demand from hobbyists seeking new angles to relive the game. Their catalog spanning nearly two decades offers a treasure trove of riveting late-game narratives captured like no other card brand. For serious collectors, 10th Inning delivers a truly unique collector’s experience zeroing in on baseball’s highest-stakes moments.