Revision as of 16:26, 18 February 2019

Description

1998 Metal Universe was a 220-card single-series set produced by Fleer/Skybox in the summer of 1998. Unlike previous years where card backgrounds revolved around space and fantasy comic book designs, the 1998 set design shifted to focus primarily on environmental backgrounds from the state/city that the player represented; however, some players still had space-themed backgrounds. All cards are printed on etched foil and were highly susceptible to chipping along the edges and were marked as "condition sensitive" in Beckett, just like the 1996 and 1997 sets.

This year marked the introduction of the famous and popular "Precious Metal Gems" (PMG) parallel to the baseball brand, which was already wildly beloved in the basketball hobby.

Being the face of Fleer/Skybox, Alex Rodriguez once again was the featured frontman for this product, just as he was for other Fleer/Skybox products released that year (e.g., 1998 E-X 2001, 1998 Ultra)

Distribution

Although Hobby boxes were wrapped in plastic marked "Hobby Exclusive", Retail boxes were also distributed.

Hobby: 24 packs per box, 8 cards per pack.

Retail: 18 packs per box, 8 cards per pack.

Insertion Ratios

Cards	Total Cards	Numbered To	Hobby Odds	Retail Odds
Base	220	-	?	?
Precious Metal Gems	220	50	?	N/A
Universal Language	20	-	1:6	1:6
Diamond Heroes	6	-	1:18	1:18
Titanium	15	-	1:96	1:96
All-Galactic Team	18	-	1:192	1:192
Platinum Portraits	12	-	1:360	1:360

Checklist

Promos

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Alex Rodriguez promo cards were distributed with all dealer order forms. The card is identical to Rodriguez's base card except for the text "PROMOTIONAL SAMPLE" written diagonally along the card back and the card being sequentially-numbered as "SAMPLE."

SAMPLE Alex Rodriguez

Base Set

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1 Jose Cruz, Jr.
2 Jeff Abbott
3 Rafael Palmeiro
4 Ivan Rodriguez
5 Jaret Wright
6 Derek Bell
7 Chuck Finley
8 Travis Fryman
9 Randy Johnson
10 Derrek Lee
11 Bernie Williams
12 Carlos Baerga
13 Ricky Bottalico
14 Ellis Burks
15 Russ Davis
16 Nomar Garciaparra
17 Joey Hamilton
18 Jason Kendall
19 Darryl Kile
20 Edgardo Alfonzo
21 Moises Alou
22 Bobby Bonilla
23 Jim Edmonds
24 Jose Guillen
25 Chuck Knoblauch
26 Javy Lopez
27 Billy Wagner
28 Kevin Appier
29 Joe Carter
30 Todd Dunwoody
31 Gary Gaetti
32 Juan Gonzalez
33 Jeffrey Hammonds
34 Roberto Hernandez
35 Dave Nilsson
36 Manny Ramirez
37 Robin Ventura
38 Rondell White
39 Vinny Castilla
40 Will Clark
41 Scott Hatteberg
42 Russ Johnson
43 Ricky Ledee
44 Kenny Lofton
45 Paul Molitor
46 Justin Thompson
47 Craig Biggio
48 Damion Easley
49 Brad Radke
50 Ben Grieve
51 Mark Bellhorn
52 Henry Blanco
53 Mariano Rivera
54 Reggie Sanders
55 Paul Sorrento
56 Terry Steinbach
57 Mo Vaughn
58 Brady Anderson
59 Tom Glavine
60 Sammy Sosa
61 Larry Walker
62 Rod Beck
63 Jose Canseco
64 Steve Finley
65 Pedro Martinez
66 John Olerud
67 Scott Rolen
68 Ismael Valdes
69 Andrew Vessel
70 Mark Grudzielanek
71 Eric Karros
72 Jeff Shaw
73 Lou Collier
74 Edgar Martinez
75 Vladimir Guerrero
76 Paul Konerko
77 Kevin Orie
78 Kevin Polcovich
79 Brett Tomko
80 Jeff Bagwell
81 Barry Bonds
82 Dave Justice
83 Hideo Nomo
84 Ryne Sandberg
85 Shannon Stewart
86 Derek Wallace
87 Tony Womack
88 Jason Giambi
89 Mark Grace
90 Pat Hentgen
91 Raul Mondesi
92 Matt Morris
93 Matt Perisho
94 Tim Salmon
95 Jeremi Gonzalez
96 Shawn Green
97 Todd Greene
98 Ruben Rivera
99 Deion Sanders
100 Alex Rodriguez
101 Will Cunnane
102 Ray Lankford
103 Ryan McGuire
104 Charles Nagy
105 Rey Ordonez
106 Mike Piazza
107 Tony Saunders
108 Curt Schilling
109 Fernando Tatis
110 Mark McGwire
111 Dave Dellucci RC
112 Garret Anderson
113 Shane Bowers RC
114 David Cone
115 Jeff King
116 Matt Williams
117 Aaron Boone
118 Dennis Eckersley
119 Livan Hernandez
120 Richard Hidalgo
121 Bob Higginson
122 Tino Martinez
123 Tim Naehring
124 Jose Vidro
125 John Wetteland
126 Jay Bell
127 Albert Belle
128 Marty Cordova
129 Chili Davis
130 Jason Dickson
131 Rusty Greer
132 Hideki Irabu
133 Greg Maddux
134 Billy Taylor
135 Jim Thome
136 Gerald Williams
137 Jeff Cirillo
138 Delino DeShields
139 Andres Galarraga
140 Willie Greene
141 John Jaha
142 Charles Johnson
143 Ryan Klesko
144 Paul O'Neill
145 Robinson Checo
146 Roberto Alomar
147 Wilson Alvarez
148 Bobby Jones
149 Raul Casanova
150 Andruw Jones
151 Mike Lansing
152 Mickey Morandini
153 Neifi Perez
154 Pokey Reese
155 Edgar Renteria
156 Eric Young
157 Darin Erstad
158 Kelvim Escobar
159 Carl Everett
160 Tom Gordon
161 Ken Griffey, Jr.
162 Al Martin
163 Bubba Trammell
164 Carlos Delgado
165 Kevin Brown
166 Ken Caminiti
167 Roger Clemens
168 Ron Gant
169 Jeff Kent
170 Mike Mussina
171 Dean Palmer
172 Henry Rodriguez
173 Matt Stairs
174 Jay Buhner
175 Frank Thomas
176 Mike Cameron
177 Johnny Damon
178 Tony Gwynn
179 John Smoltz
180 B.J. Surhoff
181 Antone Williamson
182 Alan Benes
183 Jeromy Burnitz
184 Tony Clark
185 Shawn Estes
186 Todd Helton
187 Todd Hundley
188 Chipper Jones
189 Mark Kotsay
190 Barry Larkin
191 Mike Lieberthal
192 Andy Pettitte
193 Gary Sheffield
194 Jeff Suppan
195 Mark Wohlers
196 Dante Bichette
197 Trevor Hoffman
198 J.T. Snow
199 Derek Jeter
200 Cal Ripken, Jr.
201 Steve Woodard
202 Ray Durham
203 Barry Bonds HG
204 Tony Clark HG
205 Roger Clemens HG
206 Ken Griffey, Jr. HG
207 Deion Sanders HG
208 Derek Jeter HG
209 Randy Johnson HG
210 Brady Anderson HG
211 Hideo Nomo HG
212 Mike Piazza HG
213 Cal Ripken, Jr. HG
214 Alex Rodriguez HG
215 Frank Thomas HG
216 Mo Vaughn HG
217 Larry Walker HG
218 Ken Griffey, Jr. CL
219 Alex Rodriguez CL
220 Frank Thomas CL

Parallels

Precious Metal Gems

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Precious Metal Gems fully paralleled the 220-card base set (including the checklists) and were exclusive to Hobby packs. Each Precious Metal Gems card featured the same background as the base set but was finished with a holographic spiral and concentric circle design and serial-numbered to 50.

This parallel set is one of the most appreciated and sought after from this era due to the unique card background designs for each player, aesthetics of the holographic foil finish, rarity due to the low serial-numbering, and extensive player checklist.

Further, only the first 45 copies of each Precious Metal Gems parallel for each player (cards serial-numbered 1-45) were seeded into Hobby packs. The remaining Precious Metal Gems parallel for each player (cards serial-numbered 46-50) were originally only available through redemption: five "Ultimate Gems" redemption cards were randomly inserted into packs. Each Ultimate Gems card could be redeemed for the entire Precious Metal Gems set with matching serial numbers.

Inserts

Universal Language

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This 20-card set highlighted players in the game that were proficient in "speaking" the universal language of baseball skill and talent. Each card was die-cut, printed on matte card stock, and featured a sepia-colored map background. The reverse side of each Universal Language card was written in each player's native language..

1 UL Ken Griffey, Jr.
2 UL Frank Thomas
3 UL Chipper Jones
4 UL Albert Belle
5 UL Juan Gonzalez
6 UL Jeff Bagwell
7 UL Andruw Jones
8 UL Cal Ripken, Jr.
9 UL Derek Jeter
10 UL Nomar Garciaparra
11 UL Darin Erstad
12 UL Greg Maddux
13 UL Alex Rodriguez
14 UL Mike Piazza
15 UL Vladimir Guerrero
16 UL Jose Cruz, Jr.
17 UL Hideo Nomo
18 UL Kenny Lofton
19 UL Tony Gwynn
20 UL Scott Rolen

Diamond Heroes

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This 6-card set highlighted some of the top players in the game and paid homage to the roots of the Metal Universe brand by featuring the fantasy comic book-themed backgrounds that "interacted" with player photos seen in the base set's design from previous years. Each card was printed on colored, etched foil.

1DH Ken Griffey, Jr.
2DH Frank Thomas
3DH Andruw Jones
4DH Alex Rodriguez
5DH Jose Cruz, Jr.
6DH Cal Ripken, Jr.

Titanium

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This 15-card set highlighted some of the best players in the game on a die-cut and embossed card resembling a metal shield featuring colored finishes that accented the player's team. Note: these cards are slightly wider than the standard 2.5' inch width.

1 T Ken Griffey, Jr.
2 T Frank Thomas
3 T Chipper Jones
4 T Jose Cruz, Jr.
5 T Juan Gonzalez
6 T Scott Rolen
7 T Andruw Jones
8 T Cal Ripken, Jr.
9 T Derek Jeter
10 T Nomar Garciaparra
11 T Darin Erstad
12 T Greg Maddux
13 T Alex Rodriguez
14 T Mike Piazza
15 T Vladimir Guerrero

All-Galactic Team

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This 18-card set featured the supposed best players in the galaxy. Each card was printed on a holographic foiled, space and planets background.

1 AGT Ken Griffey, Jr.
2 AGT Frank Thomas
3 AGT Chipper Jones
4 AGT Albert Belle
5 AGT Juan Gonzalez
6 AGT Jeff Bagwell
7 AGT Andruw Jones
8 AGT Cal Ripken, Jr.
9 AGT Derek Jeter
10 AGT Nomar Garciaparra
11 AGT Darin Erstad
12 AGT Greg Maddux
13 AGT Alex Rodriguez
14 AGT Mike Piazza
15 AGT Vladimir Guerrero
16 AGT Jose Cruz, Jr.
17 AGT Mark McGwire
18 AGT Scott Rolen

Platinum Portraits

This 12-card set highlighted some of the best young and established talent in the game at the time, which differed from previous years that just featured young, emerging stars. Each "card" was made of two pieces: a die-cut, silver etched "frame" and a player portrait card that fit inside the frame.

1 PP Ken Griffey, Jr.
2 PP Frank Thomas
3 PP Chipper Jones
4 PP Jose Cruz, Jr.
5 PP Andruw Jones
6 PP Cal Ripken, Jr.
7 PP Derek Jeter
8 PP Darin Erstad
9 PP Greg Maddux
10 PP Alex Rodriguez
11 PP Mike Piazza
12 PP Vladimir Guerrero

@@ Line 83: / Line 83: @@
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-This 20-card set highlighted players in the game that were proficient in speaking the "universal language" through baseball skill and talent.  Each card was die-cut, printed on matte card stock, and featured a sepia-colored map background.  The reverse side of each Universal Language card was written in each player's native language..
+This 20-card set highlighted players in the game that were proficient in "speaking" the universal language of baseball skill and talent.  Each card was die-cut, printed on matte card stock, and featured a sepia-colored map background.  The reverse side of each Universal Language card was written in each player's native language..
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