Cheap Wax Wednesday Box Breaks: 2002 Donruss Rookies Baseball
Donruss released The Rookies box sets featuring the top 56 rookies to debut in each year from 1986-1992. The line returned, again in boxed set form, in 2001. That set features a much larger checklist than in years past, and featured 105 cards. Donruss went away from a boxed set in 2002, instead opting for a hobby box release of the product.
2002 Donruss Rookies Baseball has a 110-card base set made up of strictly rookies from 2002. As you can imagine, featuring that many first-year players really watered down the checklist. While there are some notable names, the checklist is loaded with players who never made much of an impact.
In addition to the base set, Donruss inserted cards from a handful of other 2002 releases. It was kind of a mash up of products, similar to Topps Fusion. While the set has some nice serial numbered inserts, the player checklist is underwhelming. This product had an originals price tag of around $75.
2002 Donruss Rookies Baseball Box Break
Cards per pack: 5
Packs per box: 24
Price paid: $46
Shop for 2002 Donruss Rookies Baseball boxes on eBay.
Pack 1 highlight:
Walter Young Elite Extra Edition (0773/1000)
Young was actually in A-ball in 2002. He hit .333 with 25 HR and 103 RBI during the 2002 minor league season.
Pack 2:
Shane Nance Originals ‘84
Pack 3:
Trey Hodges Originals ‘84
Hodges pitched in 56 major league games, compiling a 4.77 ERA.
Pack 4:
What a full base pack looks like: Mike Gonzalez, Francis Beltran, Julio Mateo, Jeremy Ward & Earl Snyder
Pack 5:
Marlon Byrd & Jason Simontachi Diamond Kings
Byrd played for 10 different teams over a 15-year major league career. He hit .275 with 159 home runs in the big leagues.
Pack 6:
Victor Martinez & Scotty Layfield Originals ‘86
Pack 7:
Freddy Sanchez & Rob Bowen Elite Extra Edition (0826/1000)
Once a hot Red Sox prospect, Sanchez was traded to the Pirates during the 2003 season. He led the NL with a .344 average and 53 doubles in 2006.
Pack 8:
Jake Peavy & Clay Condrey Studio (0339/1500)
Pack 9:
Matt Childers Originals ‘84
Childers pitched in just 11 major league games, posting a 9.69 ERA. He also pitched one season in Japan before retiring in 2009.
Pack 10:
2002 AL Rookie of the Year Eric Hinske & Dewon Brazelton Rookie Phenoms (0741/1000)
Pack 11:
Cliff Lee & Kirk Saarloos Diamond Kings
Lee won the AL Cy Young Award in 2008, going 22-3 with a 2.54 ERA.
Pack 12:
Aaron Cook Originals ‘84
Pack 13:
John Lackey & Adrian Burnside Originals ‘86
Burnside helped his 1995 Australian National Junior Team win a bronze medal at the World Junior Baseball Championship played in Cape Cod, MA.
Pack 14:
Chone Figgins & Runelvys Hernandez Diamond Kings
Pack 15:
Wilson Valdez Best of Fan Club (0865/1350)
Valdez would play in the majors in parts of seven seasons. He finished his career with a .236 batting average.
Pack 16:
Kevin Mench
Pack 17:
Ben Kozlowski Autograph (063/100)
Kozlowski pitched in just two major league games, both in 2002. He pitched a total of 10 innings, allowing seven runs.
Pack 18:
Elio Serrano Rookie Crusade (0810/1500)
Pack 19:
Reed Johnson & Ron Calloway Originals ‘88
Johnson played 13 seasons in the big leagues, earning a .279 career average.
Pack 20:
Miguel Asenscio Diamond Kings Framed (030/250)
Pack 21:
Kevin Cash, Wily Mo Pena & Brian Tallet Classics (1162/1500)
Luckily for Rays fans, Kevin Cash is a much better manager than he was a hitter. He holds a .183 career major league batting average.
Pack 22:
Hank Blalock & Corky Miller Rookie Crusade (0653/1500)
Pack 23:
Jose Valverde & Todd Donovan Originals ‘86
Valverde ranks 33rd all-time in saves with 288.
Pack 24:
So Taguchi, Drew Henson & Jimmy Gobble Elite Extra Edition (0815/1000)
Lastly, the Victor Martinez card back. Victor played just 12 major league games in 2002, hitting .281.
As you can see, the checklist isn’t exactly star-studded. Having said that, it is still a fun rip with the variety of serial numbered cards. Even with the watered down checklist, there are some notable names to be found. The autograph checklist includes Victor Martinez, Cliff Lee, Mark Prior, Mark Teixeira, Josh Beckett, Roy Oswalt, and Alfonso Soriano. If I can find this one reasonably priced again, I may give it another shot.
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