Difference between revisions of "1997 Pinnacle X-Press"

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<!-- [[Image:filename.jpg|right|frame|The description goes here]] -->
+
=Description=
  
=Description=
+
1997 Pinnacle X-Press was a 150-card, single-series, entry-level set that only lasted one year before being re-branded the following year into [[1998 Pinnacle Performers]].  The set was known for its [[1997_Pinnacle_X-Press#Swing_for_the_Fences|"Swing for the Fences"]] game/contest for collectors.  The majority of the base cards were printed with a landscape orientation and featured two player photos, gold-foil nameplates and Pinnacle logo, and a semi-bordered design accented with the player's team colors.  The only base set cards that featured a portrait orientation were the ''Peak Performer'' subset cards. 
 +
 
 +
There were 2 subsets and checklists at the end of the set:
 +
* Rookies
 +
* Peak Performer
  
The 1997 Pinnacle X-Press set was issued in one series totaling 150 cards and is probably best remembered for its unique packaging.
+
Pinnacle X-Press utilized unique packaging as it was available in both a standard 24-pack box and a special home plate-shaped box, which were Hobby-exclusive.  These ''Home Plate'' boxes contained one standard 8-card wax pack, an 8-card "Master Deck", a Swing for the Fences game card, and a randomly inserted Metal Works insert.
  
X-Press was available in the standard 24-pack waxbox.  But it also came in special home plate-shaped plastic boxes. Each Home Plate "pack" contained one eight-card wax pack, an eight-card "master deck" and one of 20 Bronze Metal Works ingots.
+
The two notable Rookie Cards in this set were of Jose Cruz, Jr. and Hideki Irabu.
  
 
=Distribution=
 
=Distribution=
  
Wax: 24 packs per box, eight cards per pack (MSRP: $1.99)
+
Wax: 24 packs per box, 8cards per pack (MSRP: $1.99)
  
Home Plate Box: One, eight-card wax pack; one, eight-card "Master Deck;" and one Metal Works ingot. (MSRP: $14.99)
+
Home Plate Box: One 8-card wax pack, one 8-card "Master Deck", one [[1997_Pinnacle_X-Press#Swing_for_the_Fences|Swing for the Fences]] Base Number Home Run card, and one Metal Works insert. (MSRP: $14.99)
 
 
=Reviews=
 
  
 
=Insertion Ratios=
 
=Insertion Ratios=
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|-
 
|-
 
|[[#Base_Set|Base]]||150||-||?||?
 
|[[#Base_Set|Base]]||150||-||?||?
 +
|-
 +
|Men of Summer||150||-||1:7||one-per-pack
 +
|-
 +
|Swing for the Fences||60||-||1:2||1:2
 +
|-
 +
|Far & Away||18||-||1:19||1:5
 +
|-
 +
|Melting Pot||20||500||1:288||1:189
 +
|-
 +
|Bronze Metal Works||20||-||N/A||one-per-box
 +
|-
 +
|Silver Metal Works||20||400||1:470||1:54
 +
|-
 +
|Gold Metal Works||20||200||1:950||1:108
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
=Checklist=
 
=Checklist=
  
==Base Set==
+
==Promos==
  
1 Larry Walker 
+
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Melting-Pot---Samples/11/Hideo-Nomo.jpg?id=f5d1149e-d08b-42aa-8663-5584fe600ae8&size=original&side=front&.jpg
 +
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Melting-Pot---Samples/11/Hideo-Nomo.jpg?id=f5d1149e-d08b-42aa-8663-5584fe600ae8&size=original&side=back&.jpg
  
2 Andy Pettitte
+
All 20 cards from the [[1997_Pinnacle_X-Press#Melting_Pot|Melting Pot]] insert were available as promos and were randomly sent to dealers to promote the Pinnacle X-Press product.  The word "SAMPLE" is printed in large black ink on both the front and the back and are serial-numbered "000/500."
  
3 Matt Williams
+
==Base Set==
 
 
4 Juan Gonzalez
 
 
 
5 Frank Thomas
 
 
 
6 Kenny Lofton
 
 
 
7 Ken Griffey Jr.
 
 
 
8 Andres Galarraga
 
 
 
9 Greg Maddux
 
 
 
10 Hideo Nomo
 
 
 
11 Cecil Fielder
 
 
 
12 Jose Canseco
 
 
 
13 Tony Gwynn
 
 
 
14 Eddie Murray
 
 
 
15 Alex Rodriguez
 
 
 
16 Mike Piazza
 
 
 
17 Ken Hill
 
 
 
18 Chuck Knoblauch
 
 
 
19 Ellis Burks
 
 
 
20 Rafael Palmeiro
 
 
 
21 Vinny Castilla
 
 
 
22 Rusty Greer
 
 
 
23 Chipper Jones
 
 
 
24 Rey Ordonez
 
 
 
25 Mariano Rivera
 
 
 
26 Garret Anderson
 
 
 
27 Edgar Martinez
 
 
 
28 Dante Bichette
 
 
 
29 Todd Hundley
 
 
 
30 Barry Bonds
 
 
 
31 Barry Larkin
 
 
 
32 Derek Jeter
 
 
 
33 Marquis Grissom
 
 
 
34 Dave Justice
 
 
 
35 Ivan Rodriguez
 
 
 
36 Jay Buhner
 
 
 
37 Fred McGriff
 
 
 
38 Brady Anderson
 
 
 
39 Tony Clark
 
 
 
40 Eric Young
 
 
 
41 Charles Nagy
 
 
 
42 Mark McGwire
 
 
 
43 Paul O'Neill
 
 
 
44 Tino Martinez
 
 
 
45 Ryne Sandberg
 
 
 
46 Bernie Williams
 
 
 
47 Albert Belle
 
 
 
48 Jeff Cirillo
 
 
 
49 Tim Salmon
 
 
 
50 Steve Finley
 
 
 
51 Lance Johnson
 
 
 
52 John Smoltz
 
 
 
53 Javier Lopez
 
 
 
54 Roger Clemens
 
 
 
55 Kevin Appier
 
 
 
56 Ken Caminiti
 
  
57 Cal Ripken
+
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Base/84/Jim-Thome.jpg?id=ba7fff9a-a670-47fb-8c6a-151b1e7d3a15&size=original&side=front&.jpg
 +
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Base/84/Jim-Thome.jpg?id=ba7fff9a-a670-47fb-8c6a-151b1e7d3a15&size=original&side=back&.jpg
  
58 Moises Alou
+
<sql2wiki database="carddb">
 +
SELECT num,player,info FROM cards WHERE (year = 1997) AND (setname = 'Pinnacle X-Press') AND (num < 117);
 +
</sql2wiki>
 +
===1997 Rookie===
  
59 Marty Cordova
+
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Base/123/Vladimir-Guerrero.jpg?id=a251b9d1-bcd9-4ebf-8862-1582786a3ae1&size=original&side=front&.jpg
 +
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Base/123/Vladimir-Guerrero.jpg?id=a251b9d1-bcd9-4ebf-8862-1582786a3ae1&size=original&side=back&.jpg
  
60 David Cone
+
<sql2wiki database="carddb">
 +
SELECT num,player,info FROM cards WHERE (year = 1997) AND (setname = 'Pinnacle X-Press') AND (num BETWEEN 117 AND 137);
 +
</sql2wiki>
  
61 Manny Ramirez
+
===Peak Performer===
  
62 Ray Durham
+
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Base/141/Ivan-Rodriguez.jpg?id=0b0dbe11-469d-4cfe-ac2f-25650f3765a4&size=original&side=front&.jpg
 
+
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Base/141/Ivan-Rodriguez.jpg?id=0b0dbe11-469d-4cfe-ac2f-25650f3765a4&size=original&side=back&.jpg
63 Jermaine Dye
 
 
 
64 Craig Biggio
 
 
 
65 Will Clark
 
 
 
66 Omar Vizquel
 
 
 
67 Bernard Gilkey
 
 
 
68 Greg Vaughn
 
 
 
69 Wade Boggs
 
 
 
70 Dave Nilsson
 
 
 
71 Mark Grace
 
 
 
72 Dean Palmer
 
 
 
73 Sammy Sosa
 
 
 
74 Mike Mussina
 
 
 
75 Alex Fernandez
 
 
 
76 Henry Rodriguez
 
 
 
77 Travis Fryman
 
 
 
78 Jeff Bagwell
 
 
 
79 Pat Hentgen
 
 
 
80 Gary Sheffield
 
 
 
81 Jim Edmonds
 
 
 
82 Darin Erstad
 
 
 
83 Mark Grudzielanek
 
 
 
84 Jim Thome
 
 
 
85 Bobby Higginson
 
 
 
86 Al Martin
 
 
 
87 Jason Giambi
 
 
 
88 Mo Vaughn
 
 
 
89 Jeff Conine
 
 
 
90 Edgar Renteria
 
 
 
91 Andy Ashby
 
 
 
92 Ryan Klesko
 
 
 
93 John Jaha
 
 
 
94 Paul Molitor
 
 
 
95 Brian Hunter
 
 
 
96 Randy Johnson
 
 
 
97 Joey Hamilton
 
 
 
98 Billy Wagner
 
 
 
99 John Wetteland
 
 
 
100 Jeff Fassero
 
 
 
101 Rondell White
 
 
 
102 Kevin Brown
 
 
 
103 Andy Benes
 
 
 
104 Raul Mondesi
 
 
 
105 Todd Hollandsworth
 
 
 
106 Alex Ochoa
 
 
 
107 Bobby Bonilla
 
 
 
108 Brian Jordan
 
 
 
109 Tom Glavine
 
 
 
110 Ron Gant
 
 
 
111 Jason Kendall
 
 
 
112 Roberto Alomar
 
 
 
113 Troy Percival
 
 
 
114 Michael Tucker
 
 
 
115 Joe Carter
 
 
 
===Rookie Subset===
 
 
 
116 Andruw Jones     
 
 
 
117 Nomar Garciaparra
 
 
 
118 Todd Walker
 
 
 
119 Jose Guillen
 
 
 
120 Bubba Trammell (RC)
 
 
 
121 Wilton Guerrero
 
 
 
122 Bob Abreu
 
 
 
123 Vladimir Guerrero
 
 
 
124 Dmitri Young
 
 
 
125 Kevin Orie
 
 
 
126 Jose Cruz Jr. (RC)
 
 
 
127 Brooks Kieschnick
 
 
 
128 Scott Spiezio
 
 
 
129 Brian Giles (RC)
 
 
 
130 Jason Dickson
 
 
 
131 Damon Mashore
 
 
 
132 Wendell Magee
 
 
 
133 Matt Morris
 
 
 
134 Scott Rolen
 
 
 
135 Shannon Stewart
 
 
 
136 Deivi Cruz (RC)
 
 
 
137 Hideki Irabu (RC)
 
 
 
===Peak Performers===
 
 
 
138 Larry Walker
 
 
 
139 Ken Griffey Jr.  
 
 
 
140 Frank Thomas
 
 
 
141 Ivan Rodriguez
 
 
 
142 Randy Johnson
 
 
 
143 Mark McGwire
 
 
 
144 Tino Martinez
 
 
 
145 Tony Clark
 
 
 
146 Mike Piazza
 
 
 
147 Alex Rodriguez
 
  
 +
<sql2wiki database="carddb">
 +
SELECT num,player FROM cards WHERE (year = 1997) AND (setname = 'Pinnacle X-Press') AND (num BETWEEN 138 AND 147);
 +
</sql2wiki>
 
===Checklists===
 
===Checklists===
  
148 Roger Clemens
+
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Base/150/Hideo-Nomo.jpg?id=ed4ae446-7a50-4a70-9c26-7eb1c78d4b21&size=original&side=front&.jpg
 +
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Base/150/Hideo-Nomo.jpg?id=ed4ae446-7a50-4a70-9c26-7eb1c78d4b21&size=original&side=back&.jpg
  
149 Greg Maddux
+
<sql2wiki database="carddb">
 +
SELECT num,player FROM cards WHERE (year = 1997) AND (setname = 'Pinnacle X-Press') AND (num > 147);
 +
</sql2wiki>
  
150 Hideo Nomo
+
==Parallel==
  
==Parallels==
+
===Men of Summer===
  
===Men of Summer===
+
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Base---Men-of-Summer/16/Mike-Piazza.jpg?id=cfc14195-22e9-48fe-9f2c-dcf7bddf4bc0&size=original&side=front&.jpg
 +
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Base---Men-of-Summer/16/Mike-Piazza.jpg?id=cfc14195-22e9-48fe-9f2c-dcf7bddf4bc0&size=original&side=back&.jpg
  
Men of Summer is the sole parallel in X-Press.  The fronts of each card are printed on foil-board, while the letters "MEN OF SUMMER" are printed on the back.
+
All 150 base cards were available in a Men of Summer parallel that utilized the same photo and design as the base set but differed as the entire card was given a foil finish and any black-colored section on the base card front was replaced with gold and featured a gold twinkle.  "MEN OF SUMMER" was also printed on the back.
  
 
==Inserts==
 
==Inserts==
Line 347: Line 99:
 
===Far & Away===
 
===Far & Away===
  
Far & Away is an 18-card set featuring all the usual top long-ball hitting suspects. The cards are printed on etched-foil.
+
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Far--Away/5/Jeff-Bagwell.jpg?id=e4b2ab26-9160-41af-90b3-45dbdd6a2c4a&size=original&side=front&.jpg
 
+
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Far--Away/5/Jeff-Bagwell.jpg?id=e4b2ab26-9160-41af-90b3-45dbdd6a2c4a&size=original&side=back&.jpg
1 Albert Belle
 
 
 
2 Mark McGwire
 
 
 
3 Frank Thomas
 
 
 
4 Mo Vaughn
 
 
 
5 Jeff Bagwell
 
 
 
6 Juan Gonzalez
 
 
 
7 Mike Piazza
 
  
8 Andruw Jones
+
This 18-card set featured the top home run hitters in the game on a silver etched-foil background with a blue-[[Dufex]] section behind the nameplate.
  
9 Chipper Jones
+
<sql2wiki database="carddb">
 
+
SELECT num,player,info FROM cards WHERE (year = 1997) AND (setname = 'Pinnacle X-Press Far and Away');
10 Gary Sheffield
+
</sql2wiki>
 
 
11 Sammy Sosa
 
 
 
12 Darin Erstad
 
 
 
13 Jay Buhner
 
 
 
14 Ken Griffey Jr.
 
 
 
15 Ken Caminiti
 
 
 
16 Brady Anderson
 
 
 
17 Manny Ramirez
 
 
 
18 Alex Rodriguez
 
  
 
===Melting Pot===
 
===Melting Pot===
  
This 20-card set tracks the players' national origin on foil board with heliogram raised ink printing. Each card is serial-numbered to 500 copies.  Samples of each Melting Pot card were sent out to dealers to indicate what they would look like. The word "SAMPLE" is printed in large black ink on both the front and the back. In addition, all the cards are serial-numbered "000/500."
+
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Melting-Pot/11/Hideo-Nomo.jpg?id=5f0c577b-bd75-4a18-a245-8e26694e6276&size=original&side=front&.jpg
 
+
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Melting-Pot/11/Hideo-Nomo.jpg?id=5f0c577b-bd75-4a18-a245-8e26694e6276&size=original&side=back&.jpg
1 Jose Guillen
 
 
 
2 Vladimir Guerrero
 
 
 
3 Andruw Jones
 
 
 
4 Larry Walker
 
 
 
5 Manny Ramirez
 
 
 
6 Ken Griffey Jr.
 
 
 
7 Alex Rodriguez
 
 
 
8 Frank Thomas
 
 
 
9 Juan Gonzalez
 
 
 
10 Ivan Rodriguez
 
 
 
11 Hideo Nomo
 
 
 
12 Rafael Palmeiro
 
 
 
13 Dave Nilsson
 
 
 
14 Nomar Garciaparra
 
 
 
15 Wilton Guerrero
 
 
 
16 Sammy Sosa
 
 
 
17 Edgar Renteria
 
 
 
18 Cal Ripken
 
  
19 Derek Jeter
+
This 20-card highlighted the ethnic diversity of players within MLB by featuring the national flag of each respective featured player using a variation of Pinnacle's "Heliogram" printing (spot foil printing with colored, raised ink). Each card is serial-numbered to 500 copies.
  
20 Rey Ordonez
+
<sql2wiki database="carddb">
 +
SELECT num,player,info FROM cards WHERE (year = 1997) AND (setname = 'Pinnacle X-Press Melting Pot');
 +
</sql2wiki>
  
 
===Metal Works===
 
===Metal Works===
  
This 20-"card" set of solid metal ingots were available two ways. 1) Each Home Plate box contained one solid bronze ingot. 2) Redemption cards for silver-plated and gold-plated ingots were randomly inserted into packs and Master Decks.  Only 400 Silver and 200 Gold Metal Works ingots were produced and each is serial-numbered.
+
This 20-card set featured some of the top players in the game on a heavy, solid metal ingot of three different colors (not actually comprised of these metals):
 
+
   
Although the exchange cards indicate the color of the ingot, there is no mention of which player the bearer would receive. (you basically got whomever Pinnacle Brands sent you.
+
* ''''Bronze (base)'''' (not serial-numbered)
 
+
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Metal-Works---Bronze/5/Juan-Gonzalez.jpg?id=6dca6130-aafc-41d4-9666-9a75887533f3&size=original&side=front&.jpg
1 Ken Griffey Jr.  
+
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Metal-Works---Bronze/5/Juan-Gonzalez.jpg?id=6dca6130-aafc-41d4-9666-9a75887533f3&size=original&side=back&.jpg
 
 
2 Frank Thomas           
 
 
 
3 Andruw Jones           
 
 
 
4 Alex Rodriguez           
 
  
5 Derek Jeter           
+
* '''Silver''' (serial-numbered to 400)
 +
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Metal-Works---Silver/10/Greg-Maddux.jpg?id=5207db3e-f897-4985-aea3-264543a435a3&size=original&side=front&.jpg
 +
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Metal-Works---Silver/10/Greg-Maddux.jpg?id=5207db3e-f897-4985-aea3-264543a435a3&size=original&side=back&.jpg
  
6 Cal Ripken           
+
* '''Gold''' (serial-numbered to 200)
 +
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Metal-Works---Gold/15/Nomar-Garciaparra.jpg?id=2eb6c3a9-dda3-4663-aefd-004a55c01ca1&size=original&side=front&.jpg
 +
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Metal-Works---Gold/15/Nomar-Garciaparra.jpg?id=2eb6c3a9-dda3-4663-aefd-004a55c01ca1&size=original&side=back&.jpg
  
7 Mike Piazza           
+
Metal Works cards were were available two ways:
  
8 Chipper Jones           
+
1) Through a Hobby-exclusive ''Home Plate'' box, which featured one randomly-inserted Metal Works insert per box
  
9 Juan Gonzalez           
+
2) Through a Redemption card.  Redemptions for the Silver and Gold Metal Works parallels were were randomly inserted into packs and Master Decks.
  
10 Greg Maddux           
+
Redemption cards for the Silver and Gold Metal Works parallels indicated the color of ingot one was to receive but did not identify the player - thus, each person that obtained a redemption card and mailed it in would receive a the color indicated on the redemption card but of a player selected at random.
  
11 Tony Gwynn           
+
<sql2wiki database="carddb">
 
+
SELECT num,player,info FROM cards WHERE (year = 1997) AND (setname = 'Pinnacle X-Press Metal Works');
12 Jeff Bagwell           
+
</sql2wiki>
 
 
13 Albert Belle
 
 
 
14 Mark McGwire     
 
 
 
15 Nomar Garciaparra
 
 
 
16 Mo Vaughn
 
 
 
17 Andy Pettitte
 
 
 
18 Manny Ramirez
 
 
 
19 Kenny Lofton
 
 
 
20 Roger Clemens
 
  
 
===Swing for the Fences===
 
===Swing for the Fences===
  
Swing for the Fences is a game featuring 60 of baseball's top long-distance hitters. The object was to find the 1997 Home Run Champion from either the National or American League and match it with the exact number of home runs hit during the 1997 season by using a combination of Booster Number Point cards and one Base Number Home Run card.  
+
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Swing-for-the-Fences-Game/KEGR/Ken-Griffey-Jr.jpg?id=61c343b9-da7d-49ac-b613-890b7565c33f&size=original&side=front&.jpg
 
+
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Swing-for-the-Fences-Game/KEGR/Ken-Griffey-Jr.jpg?id=61c343b9-da7d-49ac-b613-890b7565c33f&size=original&side=back&.jpg
A Booster Point card was inserted one in every two packs and carried a plus or minus point total that allowed collectors to add or subtract points to get the winning homer total.  
+
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Swing-for-the-Fences-Game/BP32/Booster-Points--3.jpg?id=8de20ea5-1046-4385-8fec-21ba681ea141&size=original&side=front&.jpg
 
+
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Swing-for-the-Fences-Game/BP32/Booster-Points--3.jpg?id=8de20ea5-1046-4385-8fec-21ba681ea141&size=original&side=back&.jpg
The Base Number Home Run Card was exclusive to Master Deck packs and carried a predetermined number of Home Runs (between 20 and 42)
 
 
 
Collectors who turned in the card of either the AL or NL the Home Run King, along with a Base Number Home Run card, and enough Booster Points to match the exact number of HRs that player hit in the 1997 season would win a number of prizes. 
 
 
 
The first 1000 winners received a special autographed card of Andruw Jones of the Atlanta Braves.  The next 3000 winners received random 10-card packs of Upgraded Swing For the Fences cards produced on thicker card stock and printed with a special foil prize-winner stamp.  
 
 
 
All valid entries would then be entered in a drawing for the grand prize: A trip for two to the 1998 All-Star Game in Denver, Colorado. Five runner-up winners would receive one waxbox of all Pinnacle Trading Cards baseball products released in 1998.  
 
 
 
Ken Griffey, Jr. and Larry Walker wound up as the AL and NL Home Run Kings. However, since Mark McGwire (who was traded in mid-season from Oakland to St. Louis) led the Majors in homers, his card was also deemed to be a winner as well.
 
 
 
Sandy Alomar Jr.                 
 
 
 
Moises Alou           
 
 
 
Brady Anderson           
 
 
 
Jeff Bagwell           
 
 
 
Derek Bell           
 
 
 
Jay Bell           
 
 
 
Albert Belle           
 
 
 
Geronimo Berroa           
 
 
 
Dante Bichette           
 
 
 
Barry Bonds           
 
 
 
Bobby Bonilla           
 
 
 
Jay Buhner           
 
 
 
Ellis Burks           
 
 
 
Ken Caminiti           
 
 
 
Jose Canseco           
 
 
 
Joe Carter           
 
 
 
Vinny Castilla           
 
 
 
Tony Clark           
 
 
 
Carlos Delgado           
 
 
 
Jim Edmonds           
 
 
 
Cecil Fielder           
 
 
 
Andres Galarraga           
 
 
 
Ron Gant           
 
 
 
Bernard Gilkey           
 
 
 
Juan Gonzalez           
 
 
 
Ken Griffey Jr.  
 
 
 
Vladimir Guerrero           
 
 
 
Todd Hundley           
 
 
 
John Jaha           
 
 
 
Andruw Jones           
 
 
 
Chipper Jones           
 
 
 
David Justice           
 
 
 
Jeff Kent           
 
 
 
Ryan Klesko           
 
 
 
Barry Larkin           
 
 
 
Mike Lieberthal           
 
 
 
Javier Lopez           
 
 
 
Edgar Martinez           
 
 
 
Tino Martinez           
 
 
 
Fred McGriff           
 
 
 
Mark McGwire
 
 
 
Raul Mondesi           
 
 
 
Tim Naehring           
 
 
 
Dave Nilsson           
 
 
 
Rafael Palmeiro           
 
 
 
Dean Palmer           
 
 
 
Mike Piazza           
 
 
 
Cal Ripken           
 
 
 
Henry Rodriguez           
 
 
 
Tim Salmon           
 
  
Gary Sheffield           
+
Swing for the Fences was a game for collectors to play utilizing cards inserted into Pinnacle X-Press packs, featuring 60 of baseball's top long-distance hitters.  The object of the game was to identify the 1997 Home Run Champion from either the National or American League and match it with the exact number of home runs he hit during the 1997 season by using a combination of 3 cards:
 +
* A '''Swing for the Fences Player''' card
 +
* One '''Base Number Home Run''' card
 +
* Multiple '''Booster Number Point''' cards
  
Sammy Sosa           
+
Each 8-card wax pack contained either a Swing for the Fences Player card or a Booster Point card that carried a plus or minus point total that allowed collectors to add or subtract points to get the winning homer total.
  
Terry Steinbach           
+
The Base Number Home Run cards were exclusive to Master Deck packs and carried a predetermined number of Home Runs - anywhere between 20 and 42.
  
Frank Thomas           
+
<sql2wiki database="carddb">
 +
SELECT num,player,info FROM cards WHERE (year = 1997) AND (setname = 'Pinnacle X-Press Swing for the Fences');
 +
</sql2wiki>
  
Jim Thome           
+
====Swing for the Fences Upgraded====
  
Mo Vaughn           
+
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Swing-for-the-Fences-Game---Upgrade/KEGR/Ken-Griffey-Jr.jpg?id=f18f8234-81c9-4e55-add3-4407a3e370c0&size=original&side=front&.jpg
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https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Swing-for-the-Fences-Game---Upgrade/KEGR/Ken-Griffey-Jr.jpg?id=f18f8234-81c9-4e55-add3-4407a3e370c0&size=original&side=back&.jpg
 +
https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Swing-for-the-Fences-Game---Upgrade/ANJO/Andruw-Jones.jpg?id=95380320-4050-4dc3-83bb-6986de9adf9a&size=original&side=front&.jpg
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https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1997/Pinnacle-X-Press---Swing-for-the-Fences-Game---Upgrade/ANJO/Andruw-Jones.jpg?id=95380320-4050-4dc3-83bb-6986de9adf9a&size=original&side=back&.jpg
  
Larry Walker
+
Collectors that submitted in the '''Swing for the Fences Player''' card of either the AL or NL the Home Run King, along with a '''Base Number Home Run''' card and enough '''Booster Points''' to match the exact number of HRs that player hit in the 1997 season would win a prize:
  
Rondell White           
+
* The first 1,000 winners received a special autographed card of Andruw Jones.
 +
* The next 3,000 winners received random 10-card packs of Upgraded Swing For the Fences cards printed on thicker card stock featuring a special gold foil, prize-winner stamp.  Curiously however, the backs of these Upgraded cards contained the same information (i.e. the guidelines explaining the contest and how to mail in winning cards) as the cards inserted into packs.
  
Matt Williams           
+
All valid entries were also entered into a drawing for the grand prize: A trip for two people to the 1998 All-Star Game in Denver, Colorado. Five runner-up winners would receive one box of all Pinnacle baseball card products released in 1998.
  
Todd Zeile
+
Ken Griffey, Jr. and Larry Walker wound up as the AL and NL Home Run Kings in 1997; however, since Mark McGwire (who was traded in mid-season from Oakland to St. Louis) led the Majors in homers, his card was also deemed to be a winner as well.
  
==Autographs & Game-Used==
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{{Pinnacle}}
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[[Category:1997]]
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[[Category:Pinnacle]]

Latest revision as of 17:51, 14 February 2020

Description

1997 Pinnacle X-Press was a 150-card, single-series, entry-level set that only lasted one year before being re-branded the following year into 1998 Pinnacle Performers. The set was known for its "Swing for the Fences" game/contest for collectors. The majority of the base cards were printed with a landscape orientation and featured two player photos, gold-foil nameplates and Pinnacle logo, and a semi-bordered design accented with the player's team colors. The only base set cards that featured a portrait orientation were the Peak Performer subset cards.

There were 2 subsets and checklists at the end of the set:

  • Rookies
  • Peak Performer

Pinnacle X-Press utilized unique packaging as it was available in both a standard 24-pack box and a special home plate-shaped box, which were Hobby-exclusive. These Home Plate boxes contained one standard 8-card wax pack, an 8-card "Master Deck", a Swing for the Fences game card, and a randomly inserted Metal Works insert.

The two notable Rookie Cards in this set were of Jose Cruz, Jr. and Hideki Irabu.

Distribution

Wax: 24 packs per box, 8cards per pack (MSRP: $1.99)

Home Plate Box: One 8-card wax pack, one 8-card "Master Deck", one Swing for the Fences Base Number Home Run card, and one Metal Works insert. (MSRP: $14.99)

Insertion Ratios

Cards Total Cards Numbered To Wax Odds Master Deck Odds
Base 150 - ? ?
Men of Summer 150 - 1:7 one-per-pack
Swing for the Fences 60 - 1:2 1:2
Far & Away 18 - 1:19 1:5
Melting Pot 20 500 1:288 1:189
Bronze Metal Works 20 - N/A one-per-box
Silver Metal Works 20 400 1:470 1:54
Gold Metal Works 20 200 1:950 1:108

Checklist

Promos

Hideo-Nomo.jpg?id=f5d1149e-d08b-42aa-8663-5584fe600ae8&size=original&side=front&.jpg Hideo-Nomo.jpg?id=f5d1149e-d08b-42aa-8663-5584fe600ae8&size=original&side=back&.jpg

All 20 cards from the Melting Pot insert were available as promos and were randomly sent to dealers to promote the Pinnacle X-Press product. The word "SAMPLE" is printed in large black ink on both the front and the back and are serial-numbered "000/500."

Base Set

Jim-Thome.jpg?id=ba7fff9a-a670-47fb-8c6a-151b1e7d3a15&size=original&side=front&.jpg Jim-Thome.jpg?id=ba7fff9a-a670-47fb-8c6a-151b1e7d3a15&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 1 Larry Walker
  • 2 Andy Pettitte
  • 3 Matt Williams
  • 4 Juan Gonzalez
  • 5 Frank Thomas
  • 6 Kenny Lofton
  • 7 Ken Griffey, Jr.
  • 8 Andres Galarraga
  • 9 Greg Maddux
  • 10 Hideo Nomo
  • 11 Cecil Fielder
  • 12 Jose Canseco
  • 13 Tony Gwynn
  • 14 Eddie Murray
  • 15 Alex Rodriguez
  • 16 Mike Piazza
  • 17 Ken Hill
  • 18 Chuck Knoblauch
  • 19 Ellis Burks
  • 20 Rafael Palmeiro
  • 21 Vinny Castilla
  • 22 Rusty Greer
  • 23 Chipper Jones
  • 24 Rey Ordonez
  • 25 Mariano Rivera
  • 26 Garret Anderson
  • 27 Edgar Martinez
  • 28 Dante Bichette
  • 29 Todd Hundley
  • 30 Barry Bonds
  • 31 Barry Larkin
  • 32 Derek Jeter
  • 33 Marquis Grissom
  • 34 Dave Justice
  • 35 Ivan Rodriguez
  • 36 Jay Buhner
  • 37 Fred McGriff
  • 38 Brady Anderson
  • 39 Tony Clark
  • 40 Eric Young
  • 41 Charles Nagy
  • 42 Mark McGwire
  • 43 Paul O'Neill
  • 44 Tino Martinez
  • 45 Ryne Sandberg
  • 46 Bernie Williams
  • 47 Albert Belle
  • 48 Jeff Cirillo
  • 49 Tim Salmon
  • 50 Steve Finley
  • 51 Lance Johnson
  • 52 John Smoltz
  • 53 Javy Lopez
  • 54 Roger Clemens
  • 55 Kevin Appier
  • 56 Ken Caminiti
  • 57 Cal Ripken, Jr.
  • 58 Moises Alou
  • 59 Marty Cordova
  • 60 David Cone
  • 61 Manny Ramirez
  • 62 Ray Durham
  • 63 Jermaine Dye
  • 64 Craig Biggio
  • 65 Will Clark
  • 66 Omar Vizquel
  • 67 Bernard Gilkey
  • 68 Greg Vaughn
  • 69 Wade Boggs
  • 70 Dave Nilsson
  • 71 Mark Grace
  • 72 Dean Palmer
  • 73 Sammy Sosa
  • 74 Mike Mussina
  • 75 Alex Fernandez
  • 76 Henry Rodriguez
  • 77 Travis Fryman
  • 78 Jeff Bagwell
  • 79 Pat Hentgen
  • 80 Gary Sheffield
  • 81 Jim Edmonds
  • 82 Darin Erstad
  • 83 Mark Grudzielanek
  • 84 Jim Thome
  • 85 Bob Higginson
  • 86 Al Martin
  • 87 Jason Giambi
  • 88 Mo Vaughn
  • 89 Jeff Conine
  • 90 Edgar Renteria
  • 91 Andy Ashby
  • 92 Ryan Klesko
  • 93 John Jaha
  • 94 Paul Molitor
  • 95 Brian Hunter
  • 96 Randy Johnson
  • 97 Joey Hamilton
  • 98 Billy Wagner
  • 99 John Wetteland
  • 100 Jeff Fassero
  • 101 Rondell White
  • 102 Kevin Brown
  • 103 Andy Benes
  • 104 Raul Mondesi
  • 105 Todd Hollandsworth
  • 106 Alex Ochoa
  • 107 Bobby Bonilla
  • 108 Brian Jordan
  • 109 Tom Glavine
  • 110 Ron Gant
  • 111 Jason Kendall
  • 112 Roberto Alomar
  • 113 Troy Percival
  • 114 Michael Tucker
  • 115 Joe Carter
  • 116 Andruw Jones

1997 Rookie

Vladimir-Guerrero.jpg?id=a251b9d1-bcd9-4ebf-8862-1582786a3ae1&size=original&side=front&.jpg Vladimir-Guerrero.jpg?id=a251b9d1-bcd9-4ebf-8862-1582786a3ae1&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 117 Nomar Garciaparra
  • 118 Todd Walker
  • 119 Jose Guillen
  • 120 Bubba Trammell RC
  • 121 Wilton Guerrero
  • 122 Bob Abreu
  • 123 Vladimir Guerrero
  • 124 Dmitri Young
  • 125 Kevin Orie
  • 126 Jose Cruz, Jr. RC
  • 127 Brooks Kieschnick
  • 128 Scott Spiezio
  • 129 Brian Giles RC
  • 130 Jason Dickson
  • 131 Damon Mashore
  • 132 Wendell Magee, Jr.
  • 133 Matt Morris
  • 134 Scott Rolen
  • 135 Shannon Stewart
  • 136 Deivi Cruz RC
  • 137 Hideki Irabu RC

Peak Performer

Ivan-Rodriguez.jpg?id=0b0dbe11-469d-4cfe-ac2f-25650f3765a4&size=original&side=front&.jpg Ivan-Rodriguez.jpg?id=0b0dbe11-469d-4cfe-ac2f-25650f3765a4&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 138 Larry Walker
  • 139 Ken Griffey, Jr.
  • 140 Frank Thomas
  • 141 Ivan Rodriguez
  • 142 Randy Johnson
  • 143 Mark McGwire
  • 144 Tino Martinez
  • 145 Tony Clark
  • 146 Mike Piazza
  • 147 Alex Rodriguez

Checklists

Hideo-Nomo.jpg?id=ed4ae446-7a50-4a70-9c26-7eb1c78d4b21&size=original&side=front&.jpg Hideo-Nomo.jpg?id=ed4ae446-7a50-4a70-9c26-7eb1c78d4b21&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 148 Roger Clemens
  • 149 Greg Maddux
  • 150 Hideo Nomo

Parallel

Men of Summer

Mike-Piazza.jpg?id=cfc14195-22e9-48fe-9f2c-dcf7bddf4bc0&size=original&side=front&.jpg Mike-Piazza.jpg?id=cfc14195-22e9-48fe-9f2c-dcf7bddf4bc0&size=original&side=back&.jpg

All 150 base cards were available in a Men of Summer parallel that utilized the same photo and design as the base set but differed as the entire card was given a foil finish and any black-colored section on the base card front was replaced with gold and featured a gold twinkle. "MEN OF SUMMER" was also printed on the back.

Inserts

Far & Away

Jeff-Bagwell.jpg?id=e4b2ab26-9160-41af-90b3-45dbdd6a2c4a&size=original&side=front&.jpg Jeff-Bagwell.jpg?id=e4b2ab26-9160-41af-90b3-45dbdd6a2c4a&size=original&side=back&.jpg

This 18-card set featured the top home run hitters in the game on a silver etched-foil background with a blue-Dufex section behind the nameplate.

  • 1 Albert Belle
  • 2 Mark McGwire
  • 3 Frank Thomas
  • 4 Mo Vaughn
  • 5 Jeff Bagwell
  • 6 Juan Gonzalez
  • 7 Mike Piazza
  • 8 Andruw Jones
  • 9 Chipper Jones
  • 10 Gary Sheffield
  • 11 Sammy Sosa
  • 12 Darin Erstad
  • 13 Jay Buhner
  • 14 Ken Griffey, Jr.
  • 15 Ken Caminiti
  • 16 Brady Anderson
  • 17 Manny Ramirez
  • 18 Alex Rodriguez

Melting Pot

Hideo-Nomo.jpg?id=5f0c577b-bd75-4a18-a245-8e26694e6276&size=original&side=front&.jpg Hideo-Nomo.jpg?id=5f0c577b-bd75-4a18-a245-8e26694e6276&size=original&side=back&.jpg

This 20-card highlighted the ethnic diversity of players within MLB by featuring the national flag of each respective featured player using a variation of Pinnacle's "Heliogram" printing (spot foil printing with colored, raised ink). Each card is serial-numbered to 500 copies.

  • 1 Jose Guillen
  • 2 Vladimir Guerrero
  • 3 Andruw Jones
  • 4 Larry Walker
  • 5 Manny Ramirez
  • 6 Ken Griffey, Jr.
  • 7 Alex Rodriguez
  • 8 Frank Thomas
  • 9 Juan Gonzalez
  • 10 Ivan Rodriguez
  • 11 Hideo Nomo
  • 12 Rafael Palmeiro
  • 13 Dave Nilsson
  • 14 Nomar Garciaparra
  • 15 Wilton Guerrero
  • 16 Sammy Sosa
  • 17 Edgar Renteria
  • 18 Cal Ripken, Jr.
  • 19 Derek Jeter
  • 20 Rey Ordonez

Metal Works

This 20-card set featured some of the top players in the game on a heavy, solid metal ingot of three different colors (not actually comprised of these metals):

  • 'Bronze (base)' (not serial-numbered)

Juan-Gonzalez.jpg?id=6dca6130-aafc-41d4-9666-9a75887533f3&size=original&side=front&.jpg Juan-Gonzalez.jpg?id=6dca6130-aafc-41d4-9666-9a75887533f3&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • Silver (serial-numbered to 400)

Greg-Maddux.jpg?id=5207db3e-f897-4985-aea3-264543a435a3&size=original&side=front&.jpg Greg-Maddux.jpg?id=5207db3e-f897-4985-aea3-264543a435a3&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • Gold (serial-numbered to 200)

Nomar-Garciaparra.jpg?id=2eb6c3a9-dda3-4663-aefd-004a55c01ca1&size=original&side=front&.jpg Nomar-Garciaparra.jpg?id=2eb6c3a9-dda3-4663-aefd-004a55c01ca1&size=original&side=back&.jpg

Metal Works cards were were available two ways:

1) Through a Hobby-exclusive Home Plate box, which featured one randomly-inserted Metal Works insert per box

2) Through a Redemption card. Redemptions for the Silver and Gold Metal Works parallels were were randomly inserted into packs and Master Decks.

Redemption cards for the Silver and Gold Metal Works parallels indicated the color of ingot one was to receive but did not identify the player - thus, each person that obtained a redemption card and mailed it in would receive a the color indicated on the redemption card but of a player selected at random.

  • 1 Ken Griffey, Jr.
  • 2 Frank Thomas
  • 3 Andruw Jones
  • 4 Alex Rodriguez
  • 5 Derek Jeter
  • 6 Cal Ripken, Jr.
  • 7 Mike Piazza
  • 8 Chipper Jones
  • 9 Juan Gonzalez
  • 10 Greg Maddux
  • 11 Tony Gwynn
  • 12 Jeff Bagwell
  • 13 Albert Belle
  • 14 Mark McGwire
  • 15 Nomar Garciaparra
  • 16 Mo Vaughn
  • 17 Andy Pettitte
  • 18 Manny Ramirez
  • 19 Kenny Lofton
  • 20 Roger Clemens
  • NNO Silver Redemption Card
  • NNO Gold Redemption Card

Swing for the Fences

Ken-Griffey-Jr.jpg?id=61c343b9-da7d-49ac-b613-890b7565c33f&size=original&side=front&.jpg Ken-Griffey-Jr.jpg?id=61c343b9-da7d-49ac-b613-890b7565c33f&size=original&side=back&.jpg Booster-Points--3.jpg?id=8de20ea5-1046-4385-8fec-21ba681ea141&size=original&side=front&.jpg Booster-Points--3.jpg?id=8de20ea5-1046-4385-8fec-21ba681ea141&size=original&side=back&.jpg

Swing for the Fences was a game for collectors to play utilizing cards inserted into Pinnacle X-Press packs, featuring 60 of baseball's top long-distance hitters. The object of the game was to identify the 1997 Home Run Champion from either the National or American League and match it with the exact number of home runs he hit during the 1997 season by using a combination of 3 cards:

  • A Swing for the Fences Player card
  • One Base Number Home Run card
  • Multiple Booster Number Point cards

Each 8-card wax pack contained either a Swing for the Fences Player card or a Booster Point card that carried a plus or minus point total that allowed collectors to add or subtract points to get the winning homer total.

The Base Number Home Run cards were exclusive to Master Deck packs and carried a predetermined number of Home Runs - anywhere between 20 and 42.

  • 1 Sandy Alomar, Jr.
  • 2 Moises Alou
  • 3 Brady Anderson
  • 4 Jeff Bagwell
  • 5 Derek Bell
  • 6 Jay Bell
  • 7 Albert Belle
  • 8 Geronimo Berroa
  • 9 Dante Bichette
  • 10 Barry Bonds
  • 11 Bobby Bonilla
  • 12 Jay Buhner
  • 13 Ellis Burks
  • 14 Ken Caminiti
  • 15 Jose Canseco
  • 16 Joe Carter
  • 17 Vinny Castilla
  • 18 Tony Clark
  • 19 Carlos Delgado
  • 20 Jim Edmonds
  • 21 Cecil Fielder
  • 22 Andres Galarraga
  • 23 Ron Gant
  • 24 Bernard Gilkey
  • 25 Juan Gonzalez
  • 26 Ken Griffey, Jr. W
  • 27 Vladimir Guerrero
  • 28 Todd Hundley
  • 29 John Jaha
  • 30 Andruw Jones
  • 31 Chipper Jones
  • 32 Dave Justice
  • 33 Jeff Kent
  • 34 Ryan Klesko
  • 35 Barry Larkin
  • 36 Mike Lieberthal
  • 37 Javy Lopez
  • 38 Edgar Martinez
  • 39 Tino Martinez
  • 40 Fred McGriff
  • 41 Mark McGwire W
  • 42 Raul Mondesi
  • 43 Tim Naehring
  • 44 Dave Nilsson
  • 45 Rafael Palmeiro
  • 46 Dean Palmer
  • 47 Mike Piazza
  • 48 Cal Ripken, Jr.
  • 49 Henry Rodriguez
  • 50 Tim Salmon
  • 51 Gary Sheffield
  • 52 Sammy Sosa
  • 53 Terry Steinbach
  • 54 Frank Thomas
  • 55 Jim Thome
  • 56 Mo Vaughn
  • 57 Larry Walker W
  • 58 Rondell White
  • 59 Matt Williams
  • 60 Todd Zeile

Swing for the Fences Upgraded

Ken-Griffey-Jr.jpg?id=f18f8234-81c9-4e55-add3-4407a3e370c0&size=original&side=front&.jpg Ken-Griffey-Jr.jpg?id=f18f8234-81c9-4e55-add3-4407a3e370c0&size=original&side=back&.jpg Andruw-Jones.jpg?id=95380320-4050-4dc3-83bb-6986de9adf9a&size=original&side=front&.jpg Andruw-Jones.jpg?id=95380320-4050-4dc3-83bb-6986de9adf9a&size=original&side=back&.jpg

Collectors that submitted in the Swing for the Fences Player card of either the AL or NL the Home Run King, along with a Base Number Home Run card and enough Booster Points to match the exact number of HRs that player hit in the 1997 season would win a prize:

  • The first 1,000 winners received a special autographed card of Andruw Jones.
  • The next 3,000 winners received random 10-card packs of Upgraded Swing For the Fences cards printed on thicker card stock featuring a special gold foil, prize-winner stamp. Curiously however, the backs of these Upgraded cards contained the same information (i.e. the guidelines explaining the contest and how to mail in winning cards) as the cards inserted into packs.

All valid entries were also entered into a drawing for the grand prize: A trip for two people to the 1998 All-Star Game in Denver, Colorado. Five runner-up winners would receive one box of all Pinnacle baseball card products released in 1998.

Ken Griffey, Jr. and Larry Walker wound up as the AL and NL Home Run Kings in 1997; however, since Mark McGwire (who was traded in mid-season from Oakland to St. Louis) led the Majors in homers, his card was also deemed to be a winner as well.