Buzz 24 for 24: Chasing Ken Griffey Jr.’s Rookie Cards in a 1989 Upper Deck box & and a 1989 Fleer cello box (Hour 18)

We’re coming up on the 30th anniversary of the arrival of a cardboard icon and the highest-voted Hall of Famer in history, Ken Griffey Jr., on the field as well as on his Rookie Cards. While we’re not there just yet, Buzz couldn’t wait to try a little something with box-busting … a 24-hour marathon where we chase No. 24.

Welcome to Buzz 24 for 24.

The boxes? We’ve got one safe pick — a 24-pack 1989 Fleer cello box from a sealed case — and a riskier and pricier pick — a 36-pack 1989 Upper Deck High Number Series box. The Fleer Griffey isn’t an expensive one, but it should make an appearance given the set size vs. the box size. Meanwhile, the Upper Deck card isn’t a sure thing from a high-number box but it can be done. (High boxes are also roughly half the price of standard boxes … so that’s why Buzz went this way.)

So, for the next 24 hours you’ll see a break of at least a couple packs as we chase No. 24, George Kenneth Griffey Jr., and take a quick look back at some of the cardboard that was big at the time.

This is Hour 18 ... keep reading to see what we've landed this time.

HOUR 18

FLEER
Top: Donn Pall
Bottom: Mike LaValliere
Stickers: Reds, A’s, Indians
Other notables: Ryne Sandberg, Tim Raines, Tony Gwynn, John Smoltz Rookie Card, Neil Allen (error)

UPPER DECK
Sticker(s): Dodgers, Pirates
Notables: Uh … Kevin Seitzer?
Star Rookies: Randy Johnson and … George Kenneth Griffey Jr. (Seriously!)
High-numbers: Charlie Hayes and Jamie Moyer

Final thoughts for Hour 18: Finally! This insane Upper Deck box pays off with not one but two Hall of Famer Rookie Cards — perhaps the top two Star Rookies — in the same pack. This is my second time finding Griffey in a box — and I’ve only ripped two boxes in recent years. The Fleer box keeps on trucking with a Smoltz RC for the first time (he’s in both) and another error card we haven’t seen so far. The centering isn’t there on the Griffey but pulling it — and Johnson in the same — is what makes this marathon to me. Then again, the Billy Ripken is far more unlikely among the two boxes. Now … can we somehow do this again with a few hours to go?

What's next? Be back in an hour ...

Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com. 

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