In 1994, Topps really started bitin’ on Upper Deck’s style. Sure, in previous years that made attempts to update the card and picture quality. And in 1993 they even added a player picture to the back of the card. But in 1994 they added a full picture on the back of the card. But as you find in Upper Deck cards of the time, double pictures mean double the oddities. This is the first of a four-part series looking at the results of a $5 retail box from a flea market.
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The first installment of our look at 1994 Topps is focused some of the best moments of fashion. Hair and headbands were definitely what stuck out to me. Enjoy the extra fabric and the flowing locks you’ll find below.
#1 – I’ll Mullet Over
A classic mullet. But even better is that this is an in-action mullet. Normally you catch these on video, but it’s just a glimpse. The still picture really captures it here for all eternity, or at least until this card is burned. I feel like there should be action lines around it.
RIP Dutch.
Something else to notice about this card is the damage. I don’t really know where the retail box I got had been sitting for 23 years, but obviously the cards stuck together a bit at times. So Darren got a little damaged in opening the packs.
#2 – American Bad Ass
Oh my God there is so much going on in this one. Where do we start?
First off,j it looks like we’ve got some more mullet action happening. But this is a little more of a stylish mullet. This looks like there’s almost a mohawk element to it… plus those curls. Then you’ve got that little mustache thingy going on. And lastly, we’ve got a beautiful headba…. Hold on. That’s not just any headband. That’s a No Fear headband.
And who doesn’t love the feel of plastic on your skin. I would assume he has something underneath that top he has on. Does it remind you of what Rambo wore when he was tearing through the woods in the first movie? Do you use that to sweat? If so, why do you cut off the sleeves. Maybe it’s the fabric that makes it look plastic.
#3 – The World Looks Mighty Good To Me
Kid: Mr. McDowell, how many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop?
Rog: Ah-let’s find out. Ah-one… Ah-twoo… Ah-three…. Ah-three.
That headband is right out of the Karate Kid. Either Mr. Miyagi tied it for him, or Piazza. Why slip on just any old head band when you could tie your own. I think he’s also got some flip sun glasses on. I feel like those are making a comeback actually. For a while it seemed like everyone went to the Oakley wrap-style.
About 1994 Topps Baseball Cards
1994 Topps was a 792-card set that was issued in two series (each made up of 396 cards). Back in the day you could get a 10-card Wax Pack for $0.79 or a Jumbo Pack with 29 cards in it for $1.99. They also made Rack Packs with 33 cards per pack, but I couldn’t find the original price on those. There was a gold parallel that you got at just about 1 per Wax Pack. And lastly they made a Black Gold (44 cards, 1:72) and a 1994 Finest Pre-Production (40 cards, 1:36) insert as well.
The players to highlight for the set (and how the cards are labeled) were:
- Future Stars: Manny Ramirez, Cliff Floyd, Garrett Anderson, Javy Lopez, Pokey Reese
- Prospects: Derek Jeter, Shawn Green, Jason Giambi, Carlos Delgado, Jason Kendall
- Draft Picks: Billy Wagner
- Coming Attractions: Chipper Jones/Ryan Klesko, Raul Mondesi
Overall not a lot of key cards and no significant rookies (the Jeter card is labeled as a “Prospect” and I think his Draft Pick card from the year prior is really what most people go after).