When Dave Fleming was going to make us all rich

I'm getting to that age where I start losing memories of entire years. That sounds like something is terribly wrong with me, but I think it's just me getting old.

For example, 1993. I remember where I was living, where my job was, and some people I knew at the time. I remember that I became immersed in alternative rock music of the time -- Smashing Pumpkins, Cracker, the Breeders, Belly, etc. I remember Mitch Williams' gopher ball to Joe Carter. And I remember it was the year I changed my card habits in a major way and shunned all other brands for Upper Deck.

As for the rest of the year, I'd have to do some research and look through some pictures. But I fear the small moments and nuances from the year, which I have down to sight, taste and smell for, say, 1977, are probably lost forever.

That means I have to guess on some stuff that I actually lived through, llike why is Dave Fleming the cover boy on 1993 Pinnacle? Isn't that the same high-hat Mariner that I was pulling constantly in 1992? Was he good or something?

I looked at his stats and ... damn, he was good in '92. Not bad in 1993, too. I suppose, knowing how people thought about cards in the early '90s, that he was one of those newbie players that were going to make all the collectors rich.

Now nobody mentions Dave Fleming anymore. And old guys like me can't even remember what he did. And if that's a bummer for me, imagine what it is for Mr. Fleming.

But at least he's on a pack of cards that I've never opened before! Yay, it's pack break time!

This fat package of 27 major league baseball player cards was sent to me by Shoebox Legends. He sent another pack of something else that you'll see later.

1993 Pinnacle followed the popular debut of '92 Pinnacle. I loved '92 Pinnacle so much that I wanted to marry it. I don't know what happened with Pinnacle in '93. Perhaps a divorce was involved. Like I said, '93 is a blur now.

This is a pack of Series 1. I guess the big guy to get is Derek Jeter. But he's in Series 2. The only Dodger I need from this set is also in Series 2 -- Jim Gott. Yes, Jim Gott. You can expect to see him on the Nebulous 9 sometime soon.

And of course I probably need some inserts, too. But I've babbled enough. Here are some cards:

#40 - Kenny Lofton, Indians (Walt Weiss in background)

There's a look at one of the greatest black-bordered designs of all-time. Sleek and clean. And Pinnacle did something smart and made the brand name foil, but left the player name alone.

#45 - Lenny Dykstra, Phillies

Pulling a card on the same day a player celebrates his birthday is very cool.

There's the very classy back. The write-up is kind of morbid, implying that Dykstra was going to ruin his career prematurely. Whatever happened to "teammates love his grittiness"?

#60 - Terry Pendleton, Braves

Nothing but early '90s stars in this pack.

#65 - Charles Nagy, Indians

I'm mad at him for being the Diamondbacks pitching coach for two years. No picture.

#80 - Jack McDowell, White Sox

Black Jack looks good on a black-bordered card.

#85 - Mike Bordick, A's
#100 - Dennis Eckersley, A's

Wouldn't be a night owl pack without a few A's.

#105 - Tom Gordon, Royals

Dee Gordon's papa.

#10 - Jeff Bagwell, Astros

Wow, no commons in this pack! Bagwell was already a superstar two years into the majors.

#14 of 30 - Pedro Martinez, Dodgers, Team 2001 insert

Woooooooooooooo!!!! A Dodger insert I need. Of Pedro. Before he was squandered for some tepid second baseman.

#301 - Carlton Fisk/Ivan Rodriguez Idols subset

This card was stuck to the back of Pedro, so it's a little scuffed. Fine subset, though.

#255 - Dan Wilson, Reds

The first rookie prospect in the pack, with his unfortunate haircut.

#303 - Dwight Evans/Tim Salmon, Idols subset

Awesome, awesome card. If I was trying to complete this set, it undoubtedly would be one of the last cards I need, because Evans is always one of the last cards I need for any completion task of the '70s or '80s. Sneaky punk.

#283 - Blas Minor, Pirates
#258 - Paul Miller, Pirates

Back-to-back Pirates prospects. Didn't work out too well.

#292 - Eddie Murray, Now & Then subset

Wow, this is a great card, too. Sort of a reverse Super Veteran card. Maybe I SHOULD collect this set.

#242 - Jonathan Hurst, Expos, rookie prospect

#145 - Sammy Sosa, Cubs

Before he crossed over into Michael Jackson territory.

#160 - Orlando Merced, Pirates

#165 - Kevin Maas, Yankees
#180 - Dave Silvestri, Yankees

More back-to-backers, of fizzled out prospects

#185 - Bret Saberhagen, Mets

#200 - Ruben Sierra, Athletics

#205 - Todd Zeile, Cardinals
#220 - Rafael Palmeiro, Rangers
#112 - Gary Gaetti, Angels

#128 - Sam Horn, Orioles

That's the end of the pack.

Oh, wait, here's your recycling information:

That's some kind of detail.

Anyway, that pack break was kind of a revelation. The more I posted these cards, the more I loved "the ellipsis set."

I generally avoid attempting to complete sets from the early '90s as it's an unpleasant time for me and, because of that, I project on a lot of sets (I can't wait to get rid of every last one of my 1992 Donruss cards).

But in a weak moment, I could see myself attempting to complete this one.

Still, give me five more years. I'll probably forget that this set even existed in 1993.

And I'll think Dave Fleming is my caretaker in the nursing home.