1996 Denny's/Pinnacle - A Grand Slam

 

The 1990's started the holographic rush in sports cards and Denny's took full advantage.  When these sets first came out, I remember taking my wife there just so we could order a Grand Slam breakfast and get a couple of free cards.  The breakfast was pretty good, but I was there for the cards, and so were many other collectors back then.

If I remember correctly, the first few years of Denny's cards were produced by Upper Deck, and for some reason in 1996 Denny's partnered with Pinnacle.  While I like the prior sets, I have to agree with the decision to change partners.  The black border with player picture on the left framed the full motion hologram of the player.  You have to hold these in the light just right to see the motion, and if you look closely you can even see the ball leaving the bat or pitcher's hand.

The set is loaded with the stars of the day and nearly half of this 28 card set are hall of famers.

Who?  Ok, someone blew it here.

The scan makes Nomo look like a ghost, but look closely and you can see the ball breaking in toward the batter.

I really like this card of Puckett.  The background shows off the old Metrodome.

There were also random proofs handed out.  10 in all that advertised the Grand Slam breakfast.  Unfortunately this is the only one I have and the completist in me will be chasing the other 9.

A look at the back of the card.  The tidbit under the logo describes what you're seeing on the card, which is pretty cool because now the collector gets the history behind the motion hologram.

This seems rather silly but in case someone is "holographically challenged", instructions are included.

I'm thankful many collectors don't really covet these cards as this set (and others like it) are still really affordable.  I know I have another set or two from Denny's waiting to be found and will highlight those in future posts.  Until then I'll be holding each of these just right in the morning sun thinking about all those calories I still need to burn off from all of the Grand Slam breakfasts I ate back then.