MBL 1998 COLLECTION

Corinthian continued their partnership with the MLB by releasing 47 figures as part of the 1998 Collection of single blister packs.

 

​

The initial plan was to have 6 case assortments, however the final 2 were cancelled due to the fact they would have run into the NFL season, at least that is the reason Corinthian gave. Among the cancelled players was the much anticipated Mark McGwire.

 

 

In amongst the new players are some which were released as part of the 1997 Collection and are simply repacked into 1998 Collection blisters, the reason behind this is the last case assortment of 1997 blisters was not in circulation long so they still wanted to move stock of those included, however they chose to omit Frank Thomas!

 

 

I am by no means an expert on these figures but to my knowledge the ones previously released in the 1997 Collection and are simply repacked into 1998 Collection blisters are:

 

B030 Paul O'Neil - Ney York Yankees

B035 Tony Gwynn - San Diego Padres

B038 Ken Griffey Jr - Seattle Mariners - Bat in both hands pose

B044 Ivan Rodriguez - Texas Rangers

B045 Ken Caminiti - San Diego Padres

 

 

There was a new pose version of Ken Griffey Jr which sees him with the bat down by his side, as if he has just hit a home run.

 

 

There is also another new post figure as we see Tony Gwynn for the San Diego Padres in a running pose, with the uniform being different to the previously released figure.

 

 

The 1998 Collection also features 3 players who are on a Green base and also a Blue base, with the Blue base versions being chaser figures which were randomly packed into the case assortments, those 3 are:

 

MLB016 Kenny Lofton - Cleveland Indians

MLB026 Eric Karros - Los Angeles Dodgers

MLB042 Dennis Eckersley - St. Louis Cardinals 

 

 

The final thing to mention is the 2 Angels Stadium specials, which see Tim Salmon and Jim Edmonds released for the Anaheim Angels, these figures were not included in any case assortment, they could only be acquired via visiting the Angels Stadium, meaning they are incredibly rare, seldom seen for sale and appear on many a collector's wanted list.

 

 

All figures were on a oval base, coming with collector's catalog and sold as single blister packs which again featured a sticker on the front of the blister which carried the player name, printer autograph and also the team logo.

 

 

Every effort has been made to ensure all information is accurate, however if you notice any mistakes or have information to add, please get in touch - craig@corinthianarchive.co.uk