Buzz 24 for 24: Chasing Ken Griffey Jr.'s Rookie Cards in a 1989 Upper Deck box & and a 1989 Fleer cello box (Hour 2)

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 2 ... and we've got a big surprise already.

HOUR 2

FLEER
Top: Terry Puhl
Bottom: Pat Perry
Stickers: Cubs, Tigers, Angels
Other notables: Jose Canseco 40/40, Billy Ripken FF error card, Bo Jackson, Chris Sabo, Will Clark & Rafael Palmeiro, Gary Carter, Tom Gordon RC

UPPER DECK
Sticker(s): Padres, Phillies
Notables: Frank Viola (CL) and … Frank Viola?
Star Rookies: None
High-numbers: Charlie Hayes and Jamie Moyer. Seriously.

Final thoughts for Hour 2: Well, this marathon just took a surprising turn that I absolutely didn’t expect. The cello box is an error box with the Billy Ripken obscenity card. (Not only that, it’s nearly perfect for grading unlike some cards found here so far. It will be graded.) I pulled one of these from a wax box probably a decade ago and did a cello case around that time, too, but that one was all corrections. The Upper Deck box is looking painfully barren and repetitive when it comes to the Star Rookies and the High Numbers so far. The cello box development is huge … could we see this Ripken card again? Will we see a Griffey in both boxes? Stay tuned …

What's next? Be back in an hour ...

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

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