If This is His Topps Card, Then What Card is This?: Ken Griffey, Jr.

Hey, I really like this new feature. It not only fulfills one of my goals (show off my collection), but it gives me something to write about while waiting for the next release I want (Updates and Highlights).

Let's put a twist on the new feature though. Instead of just explaining what the card is, but I'll let you (the readers out there) get involved in it too. I'll show the real card, and then the "What Card is This?" card, but let's see if you know what set the second card is from. Remember, it's a real Topps card. It's not a photoshop job (I don't have the software, the time, or the creativity to pull one off), a magazine insert, or a "Broder" card.

Today, we'll put the spotlight on future Hall-of-Famer, and current Chicago White Sox outfielder Ken Griffey, Jr. The card is from 1995, during his glory days with the Mariners. That year was the first that the Mariners finally escaped the distinction of never making it into the postseason. Led by manager Lou Pinella, guys like Griffey, Edgar Martinez, Randy Johnson, and some young kid named Alex Rodriguez, helped the M's win their first division championship (AL West), and make it into the first time in their then 20-year history. Thirteen years later, he is now helping the White Sox back into the playoffs, after spending the last seven-and-a-half years with Cincinnati.

So here is Ken Griffey, Jr.'s 1995 Topps card:

Okay, typical Griffey swing, looks like a home run swing. Nice looking, clean, well designed card. Ready? Here is card number 2:

So, it's a 1995 Topps Ken Griffey, Jr. card. It has the same design, the name in gold foil, the picture in that torn page format. He's already past the follow through of his swing and is now on his way to first. Now it's your turn.

Everyone...

What Card is This?

You have all day to figure it out. I'll post the answer tomorrow night. Good night. And good luck.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

UPDATE: Sunday, September 21, 2008.

Friend of the blog Big Daddy got the correct answer in this week's installment of "What Card is This?" with his answer of "Promo / Pre-Production card."

The above card was one of nine Pre-Production cards (Topps' term for sample cards) included in factory sets of 1994 Topps Baseball. The card above is numbered #PP6, and others in the set included a different card of Mike Piazza compared to what was actually used in the set.

Thanks for playing.

jba