1997 Leaf

From BaseballCardPedia.com

Description[edit]

1997 Leaf was a 400-card set released in two equal 200 card series. The set featured two subsets, Legacy (188-197/348-367) and Gamers (368-397) and notable rookie cards of Jose Cruz Jr., Brian Giles, and Hideki Irabu.

To celebrate the upcoming 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's major league debut in 1948, Donruss/Leaf issued some collectible items. They made 42 all-leather jackets (issued to match Robinson's uniform number). There were also 311 leather jackets produced (to match Robinson's career batting average). 1,500 lithographs were also produced of which Rachel Robinson (Jackie's widow) signed 500 of them.

Distribution[edit]

Series One Hobby: 18 packs per box, ten cards per pack (MSRP: $2.99)

Series Two Hobby: 24 packs per box, ten cards per pack

Series One/Two Retail: 24 packs per box, eight cards per pack (MSRP: $2.99)

Series One Jumbo

Insertion Ratios[edit]

Series One[edit]

Cards Total Cards Numbered To Hobby Odds Retail Odds Jumbo Odds
Base 200 - ? ? ?
Fractal Matrix 200 varies ? ? ?
Fractal Matrix Die-Cut 200 varies ? ? ?
Knot-Hole Gang 12 5000 ? ? ?
Get-A-Grip 16 3500 ? N/A N/A
Dress For Success 18 3500 N/A ? N/A
Banner Season 15 2500 N/A N/A ?
Statistical Standouts 15 1000 ? ? ?

Series Two[edit]

Cards Total Cards Numbered To Hobby Odds Retail Odds
Base 200 - ? ?
Jackie Robinson Scratch 'N Win Game Card 1 - 1:12 1:12
Fractal Matrix 200 varies ? ?
Fractal Matrix Die-Cut 200 varies ? ?
Warning Track 18 3500 ? ?
Gold Leaf Stars 36 2500 ? ?
Leagues of the Nation 15 2500 ? ?
Jackie Robinson 1949 Leaf Reprint 1 1948 ? ?
Frank Thomas Collection 6 100 ? ?

Checklist[edit]

Base Set[edit]

Series One[edit]

Jeff-Brantley.jpg?id=b94bf3b8-3d40-4aea-a895-0182056b6fe7&size=original&side=front.jpg Jeff-Brantley.jpg?id=b94bf3b8-3d40-4aea-a895-0182056b6fe7&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 1 Wade Boggs GY
  • 2 Brian McRae BY
  • 3 Jeff D'Amico BY
  • 4 George Arias SY
  • 5 Billy Wagner SY
  • 6 Ray Lankford BZ
  • 7 Will Clark SY
  • 8 Edgar Renteria SY
  • 9 Alex Ochoa SY
  • 10 Roberto Hernandez BX
  • 11 Joe Carter SY
  • 12 Gregg Jefferies BY
  • 13 Mark Grace SY
  • 14 Roberto Alomar GY
  • 15 Joe Randa BX
  • 16 Alex Rodriguez GZ
  • 17 Tony Gwynn GZ
  • 18 Steve Gibralter BY
  • 19 Scott Stahoviak BX
  • 20 Matt Williams SZ
  • 21 Quinton McCracken BY
  • 22 Ugueth Urbina BX
  • 23 Jermaine Allensworth SX
  • 24 Paul Molitor GX
  • 25 Carlos Delgado SY
  • 26 Bob Abreu SY
  • 27 John Jaha SY
  • 28 Rusty Greer SZ
  • 29 Kimera Bartee BX
  • 30 Ruben Rivera SY
  • 31 Jason Kendall SY
  • 32 Lance Johnson BX
  • 33 Robin Ventura BY
  • 34 Kevin Appier SX
  • 35 John Mabry SY
  • 36 Ricky Otero BX
  • 37 Mike Lansing BX
  • 38 Mark McGwire GZ
  • 39 Tim Naehring BX
  • 40 Tom Glavine SZ
  • 41 Rey Ordonez SY
  • 42 Tony Clark SY
  • 43 Rafael Palmeiro SZ
  • 44 Pedro Martinez BX
  • 45 Keith Lockhart BX
  • 46 Dan Wilson BY
  • 47 John Wetteland BY
  • 48 Chan Ho Park BX
  • 49 Gary Sheffield GZ
  • 50 Shawn Estes BX
  • 51 Royce Clayton BX
  • 52 Jaime Navarro BX
  • 53 Raul Casanova BX
  • 54 Jeff Bagwell GZ
  • 55 Barry Larkin GX
  • 56 Charles Nagy BY
  • 57 Ken Caminiti GY
  • 58 Todd Hollandsworth SZ
  • 59 Pat Hentgen SX
  • 60 Jose Valentin BX
  • 61 Frank Rodriguez BX
  • 62 Mickey Tettleton BX
  • 63 Marty Cordova GX
  • 64 Cecil Fielder SX
  • 65 Barry Bonds GZ
  • 66 Scott Servais BX
  • 67 Ernie Young BX
  • 68 Wilson Alvarez BX
  • 69 Mike Grace BX
  • 70 Shane Reynolds SX
  • 71 Henry Rodriguez SY
  • 72 Eric Karros BX
  • 73 Mark Langston BX
  • 74 Scott Karl BX
  • 75 Trevor Hoffman BX
  • 76 Orel Hershiser SX
  • 77 John Smoltz GY
  • 78 Raul Mondesi GZ
  • 79 Jeff Brantley BX
  • 80 Donne Wall BX
  • 81 Joey Cora BX
  • 82 Mel Rojas BX
  • 83 Chad Mottola BX
  • 84 Omar Vizquel BX
  • 85 Greg Maddux GZ
  • 86 Jamey Wright SY
  • 87 Chuck Finley BX
  • 88 Brady Anderson GY
  • 89 Alex Gonzalez SX
  • 90 Andy Benes BX
  • 91 Reggie Jefferson BX
  • 92 Paul O'Neill BY
  • 93 Javy Lopez SX
  • 94 Mark Grudzielanek SX
  • 95 Marc Newfield BX
  • 96 Kevin Ritz BX
  • 97 Fred McGriff GY
  • 98 Dwight Gooden SX
  • 99 Hideo Nomo SY
  • 100 Steve Finley BX
  • 101 Juan Gonzalez GZ
  • 102 Jay Buhner SZ
  • 103 Paul Wilson SY
  • 104 Alan Benes BY
  • 105 Manny Ramirez GZ
  • 106 Kevin Elster BX
  • 107 Frank Thomas GZ
  • 108 Orlando Miller BX
  • 109 Ramon Martinez BX
  • 110 Kenny Lofton GZ
  • 111 Bernie Williams GY
  • 112 Robby Thompson BX
  • 113 Bernard Gilkey BZ
  • 114 Ray Durham BX
  • 115 Jeff Cirillo SZ
  • 116 Brian Jordan GZ
  • 117 Rich Becker SY
  • 118 Al Leiter BX
  • 119 Mark Johnson BX
  • 120 Ellis Burks BY
  • 121 Sammy Sosa GZ
  • 122 Willie Greene BX
  • 123 Michael Tucker BX
  • 124 Eddie Murray GY
  • 125 Joey Hamilton SY
  • 126 Antonio Osuna BX
  • 127 Bob Higginson SY
  • 128 Tomas Perez BX
  • 129 Tim Salmon GZ
  • 130 Mark Wohlers BX
  • 131 Charles Johnson SX
  • 132 Randy Johnson SY
  • 133 Brooks Kieschnick SX
  • 134 Al Martin SY
  • 135 Dante Bichette BX
  • 136 Andy Pettitte GZ
  • 137 Jason Giambi GY
  • 138 James Baldwin SX
  • 139 Ben McDonald BX
  • 140 Shawn Green SX
  • 141 Geronimo Berroa BY
  • 142 Jose Offerman BX
  • 143 Curtis Pride BX
  • 144 Terrell Wade BX
  • 145 Ismael Valdes SX
  • 146 Mike Mussina SY
  • 147 Mariano Rivera SX
  • 148 Ken Hill BY
  • 149 Darin Erstad GZ
  • 150 Jay Bell BX
  • 151 Mo Vaughn GZ
  • 152 Ozzie Smith GY
  • 153 Jose Mesa BX
  • 154 Osvaldo Fernandez BX
  • 155 Vinny Castilla BY
  • 156 Jason Isringhausen SY
  • 157 B.J. Surhoff BX
  • 158 Robert Perez BX
  • 159 Ron Coomer BX
  • 160 Darren Oliver BX
  • 161 Mike Mohler BX
  • 162 Russ Davis BX
  • 163 Bret Boone BX
  • 164 Ricky Bottalico BX
  • 165 Derek Jeter GZ
  • 166 Orlando Merced BX
  • 167 John Valentin BX
  • 168 Andruw Jones GZ
  • 169 Angel Echevarria BX
  • 170 Todd Walker GZ
  • 171 Desi Relaford BY
  • 172 Trey Beamon SX
  • 173 Brian Giles SY
  • 174 Scott Rolen GZ
  • 175 Shannon Stewart SZ
  • 176 Dmitri Young GZ
  • 177 Justin Thompson BX
  • 178 Trot Nixon SY
  • 179 Josh Booty SY
  • 180 Robin Jennings BX
  • 181 Marvin Benard BX
  • 182 Luis Castillo BY
  • 183 Wendell Magee, Jr. BX
  • 184 Vladimir Guerrero GX
  • 185 Nomar Garciaparra GX
  • 186 Ryan Hancock BX
  • 187 Mike Cameron SX

Legacy[edit]

Chipper-Jones.jpg?id=d86c95c2-8651-4f3f-8e9a-7c01e1ed7c97&size=original&side=front&.jpg Chipper-Jones.jpg?id=d86c95c2-8651-4f3f-8e9a-7c01e1ed7c97&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 188 Cal Ripken, Jr. LG BZ
  • 189 Chipper Jones LG SZ
  • 190 Albert Belle LG SZ
  • 191 Mike Piazza LG BZ
  • 192 Chuck Knoblauch LG SY
  • 193 Ken Griffey, Jr. LG BZ
  • 194 Ivan Rodriguez LG GZ
  • 195 Jose Canseco LG SX
  • 196 Ryne Sandberg LG SX
  • 197 Jim Thome LG GY

Checklists[edit]

Derek-Jeter.jpg?id=d1c436c9-43f4-488d-bb54-d9137d72fb3a&size=original&side=front&.jpg Derek-Jeter.jpg?id=d1c436c9-43f4-488d-bb54-d9137d72fb3a&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 198 Andy Pettitte CL BY
  • 199 Andruw Jones CL BY
  • 200 Derek Jeter CL SY

Series Two[edit]

Cal-Ripken-Jr.jpg?id=fcb4ec2a-f97b-40a0-a64f-c965617a9d63&size=original&side=front.jpg Cal-Ripken-Jr.jpg?id=fcb4ec2a-f97b-40a0-a64f-c965617a9d63&size=original&side=back&.jpg

NOTE: Whereas Series One's base set had gray borders, Series Two have white.

  • 201 Chipper Jones GX
  • 202 Albert Belle GY
  • 203 Mike Piazza GY
  • 204 Ken Griffey, Jr. GX
  • 205 Ryne Sandberg GZ
  • 206 Jose Canseco SY
  • 207 Chili Davis BX
  • 208 Roger Clemens GZ
  • 209 Deion Sanders GZ
  • 210 Darryl Hamilton BX
  • 211 Jermaine Dye SX
  • 212 Matt Williams GY
  • 213 Kevin Elster BX
  • 214 John Wetteland SX
  • 215 Garret Anderson GZ
  • 216 Kevin Brown GY
  • 217 Matt Lawton SY
  • 218 Cal Ripken, Jr. GX
  • 219 Moises Alou GY
  • 220 Chuck Knoblauch GZ
  • 221 Ivan Rodriguez GY
  • 222 Travis Fryman BY
  • 223 Jim Thome GZ
  • 224 Eddie Murray SZ
  • 225 Eric Young GZ
  • 226 Ron Gant SX
  • 227 Tony Phillips BX
  • 228 Reggie Sanders BY
  • 229 Johnny Damon SZ
  • 230 Bill Pulsipher BX
  • 231 Jim Edmonds GZ
  • 232 Melvin Nieves BX
  • 233 Ryan Klesko GZ
  • 234 David Cone SX
  • 235 Derek Bell BY
  • 236 Julio Franco SX
  • 237 Juan Guzman BX
  • 238 Larry Walker GZ
  • 239 Delino DeShields BX
  • 240 Troy Percival BY
  • 241 Andres Galarraga GZ
  • 242 Rondell White GZ
  • 243 John Burkett BX
  • 244 J.T. Snow BY
  • 245 Alex Fernandez SY
  • 246 Edgar Martinez GZ
  • 247 Craig Biggio GZ
  • 248 Todd Hundley GY
  • 249 Jimmy Key SX
  • 250 Cliff Floyd BY
  • 251 Jeff Conine BY
  • 252 Curt Schilling BX
  • 253 Jeff King BX
  • 254 Tino Martinez GZ
  • 255 Carlos Baerga SY
  • 256 Jeff Fassero BY
  • 257 Dean Palmer SY
  • 258 Robb Nen BX
  • 259 Sandy Alomar, Jr. SY
  • 260 Carlos Perez BX
  • 261 Rickey Henderson SY
  • 262 Bobby Bonilla SY
  • 263 Darren Daulton BX
  • 264 Jim Leyritz BX
  • 265 Dennis Martinez BX
  • 266 Butch Huskey BX
  • 267 Joe Vitiello SY
  • 268 Steve Trachsel BX
  • 269 Glenallen Hill BX
  • 270 Terry Steinbach BX
  • 271 Mark McLemore BX
  • 272 Devon White BX
  • 273 Jeff Kent BX
  • 274 Tim Raines BX
  • 275 Carlos Garcia BX
  • 276 Hal Morris BX
  • 277 Gary Gaetti BX
  • 278 John Olerud SY
  • 279 Wally Joyner BX
  • 280 Brian Hunter SX
  • 281 Steve Karsay BX
  • 282 Denny Neagle SX
  • 283 Jose Herrera BX
  • 284 Todd Stottlemyre BX
  • 285 Bip Roberts SX
  • 286 Kevin Seitzer BX
  • 287 Benji Gil BX
  • 288 Dennis Eckersley SX
  • 289 Brad Ausmus BX
  • 290 Otis Nixon BX
  • 291 Darryl Strawberry BX
  • 292 Marquis Grissom SY
  • 293 Darryl Kile BX
  • 294 Quilvio Veras BX
  • 295 Tom Goodwin BX
  • 296 Benito Santiago BX
  • 297 Mike Bordick BX
  • 298 Roberto Kelly BX
  • 299 Dave Justice GZ
  • 300 Carl Everett BX
  • 301 Mark Whiten BX
  • 302 Aaron Sele BX
  • 303 Darren Dreifort BX
  • 304 Bobby Jones BX
  • 305 Fernando Vina BX
  • 306 Ed Sprague BX
  • 307 Andy Ashby SX
  • 308 Tony Fernandez BX
  • 309 Roger Pavlik BX
  • 310 Mark Clark BX
  • 311 Mariano Duncan BX
  • 312 Tyler Houston BX
  • 313 Eric Davis SY
  • 314 Greg Vaughn BY
  • 315 David Segui SY
  • 316 Dave Nilsson SX
  • 317 F.P. Santangelo SX
  • 318 Wilton Guerrero GZ
  • 319 Jose Guillen GZ
  • 320 Kevin Orie SY
  • 321 Derrek Lee GZ
  • 322 Bubba Trammell SY
  • 323 Pokey Reese GZ
  • 324 Hideki Irabu GX
  • 325 Scott Spiezio SZ
  • 326 Bartolo Colon GZ
  • 327 Damon Mashore SY
  • 328 Ryan McGuire SY
  • 329 Chris Carpenter BX
  • 330 Jose Cruz, Jr. GX
  • 331 Todd Greene SZ
  • 332 Brian Moehler BX
  • 333 Mike Sweeney BY
  • 334 Neifi Perez GZ
  • 335 Matt Morris SY
  • 336 Marvin Benard BY
  • 337 Karim Garcia SZ
  • 338 Jason Dickson SY
  • 339 Brant Brown SY
  • 340 Jeff Suppan SZ
  • 341 Deivi Cruz BX
  • 342 Antone Williamson GZ
  • 343 Curtis Goodwin BX
  • 344 Brooks Kieschnick SY
  • 345 Tony Womack BX
  • 346 Rudy Pemberton BX
  • 347 Todd Dunwoody BX

Legacy[edit]

Barry-Bonds.jpg?id=0ac08cb6-de8c-442c-aec4-57330152fe9a&size=original&side=front&.jpg Barry-Bonds.jpg?id=0ac08cb6-de8c-442c-aec4-57330152fe9a&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 348 Frank Thomas LG SY
  • 349 Andruw Jones LG SX
  • 350 Alex Rodriguez LG BY
  • 351 Greg Maddux LG SY
  • 352 Jeff Bagwell LG BY
  • 353 Juan Gonzalez LG SY
  • 354 Barry Bonds LG BY
  • 355 Mark McGwire LG BY
  • 356 Tony Gwynn LG BY
  • 357 Gary Sheffield LG BX
  • 358 Derek Jeter LG SX
  • 359 Manny Ramirez LG SY
  • 360 Hideo Nomo LG GZ
  • 361 Sammy Sosa LG BX
  • 362 Paul Molitor LG SZ
  • 363 Kenny Lofton LG BY
  • 364 Eddie Murray LG BX
  • 365 Barry Larkin LG SZ
  • 366 Roger Clemens LG SY
  • 367 John Smoltz LG BZ

Gamers[edit]

Brian-Jordan.jpg?id=e2ff7aae-5878-41ca-861d-6638ca46009c&size=original&side=front&.jpg Brian-Jordan.jpg?id=e2ff7aae-5878-41ca-861d-6638ca46009c&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 368 Alex Rodriguez GM SX
  • 369 Frank Thomas GM BX
  • 370 Cal Ripken, Jr. GM SY
  • 371 Ken Griffey, Jr. GM SY
  • 372 Greg Maddux GM BX
  • 373 Mike Piazza GM SX
  • 374 Chipper Jones GM BY
  • 375 Albert Belle GM BX
  • 376 Chuck Knoblauch GM BX
  • 377 Brady Anderson GM BZ
  • 378 Dave Justice GM SX
  • 379 Randy Johnson GM BZ
  • 380 Wade Boggs GM BX
  • 381 Kevin Brown GM BX
  • 382 Tom Glavine GM GY
  • 383 Raul Mondesi GM SX
  • 384 Ivan Rodriguez GM SX
  • 385 Larry Walker GM BY
  • 386 Bernie Williams GM BZ
  • 387 Rusty Greer GM GY
  • 388 Rafael Palmeiro GM GY
  • 389 Matt Williams GM BX
  • 390 Eric Young GM BX
  • 391 Fred McGriff GM BX
  • 392 Ken Caminiti GM BX
  • 393 Roberto Alomar GM BZ
  • 394 Brian Jordan GM BZ
  • 395 Mark Grace GM GZ
  • 396 Jim Edmonds GM BY
  • 397 Deion Sanders GM SY

Checklists[edit]

Vladimir-Guerrero.jpg?id=39bd9a9e-c428-4530-a6c7-73558c10a2a7&size=original&side=front&.jpg Vladimir-Guerrero.jpg?id=39bd9a9e-c428-4530-a6c7-73558c10a2a7&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 398 Vladimir Guerrero CL SZ
  • 399 Darin Erstad CL SY
  • 400 Nomar Garciaparra CL SZ

Parallels[edit]

Fractal Matrix[edit]

Randomly inserted in packs, this 400-card set paralleled the base set. While the stated print runs below were provided at the time of release, many years later, there have been anecdotal stories detailing the backdoored release of extra copies across all players flooding the market after Pinnacle Brands’ bankruptcy. There were two types of Fractal Matrix parallels:

  • Regular: Color player photos with either a bronze, silver, or gold etched-foil finish
  • Die-cut: Color player photos with either a bronze, silver, or gold etched-foil finish and a "X-axis", "Y-axis", or "Z-axis" die-cut pattern

Given that there were three Fractal Matrix colors (Bronze, Gold and Silver) and three die-cut patterns (X, Y, and Z), there were 9 Fractal Matrix distinctions:

  • Bronze X-axis: BX (die-cut version pictured)
  • Bronze Y-axis: BY
  • Bronze Z-axis: BZ

Andy-Benes.jpg?id=250f2585-c848-4ae0-84ba-718ed55615fb&size=original&side=front.jpg Andy-Benes.jpg?id=250f2585-c848-4ae0-84ba-718ed55615fb&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • Silver X-axis: SX
  • Silver Y-axis: SY (die-cut version pictured)
  • Silver Z-axis: SZ

Billy-Wagner.jpg?id=d4a01018-ef22-424e-8ee6-dda1fc568b70&size=original&side=front.jpg Billy-Wagner.jpg?id=d4a01018-ef22-424e-8ee6-dda1fc568b70&size=original&side=back&.jpg


  • Gold X-axis: GX
  • Gold Y-axis: GY
  • Gold Z-axis: GZ (die-cut version pictured)

Edgar-Martinez.jpg?id=4d3d857f-d070-4b67-a303-ac8a97ef4bf0&size=original&side=front.jpg Edgar-Martinez.jpg?id=4d3d857f-d070-4b67-a303-ac8a97ef4bf0&size=original&side=back&.jpg


In each series, 100 cards were designated Bronze, 60 Silver, and 40 Gold; 125 cards were designated X-Axis, 50 Y-Axis, and 25 Z-Axis:

  • For each card in the set that was designated as Bronze, there were 2000 total cards produced.
  • For each card in the set that was designated as Silver, there were 1000 total cards produced.
  • For each card in the set that was designated as Gold, there were 500 total cards produced.
  • For the die-cuts, the first 400 copies (regardless of color) of each X-Axis card are die-cut, the first 200 Y-Axis were die-cut, and the first 100 Z-Axis were die-cut. However, these were stated print runs and these parallels were not serially numbered.
  • While the stated print run of these were established at the time of the product’s release anecdotal accounts have stated that many non-pack-issued copies from this set hit the secondary market after Pinnacle’s Brands’ bankruptcy. This, some collectors question the veracity of the official stated print run numbers.

This chart shows exactly how many of each card were produced.

Regular/Die-cut X-Axis Y-Axis Z-Axis
Bronze 1600/400 1800/200 1900/100
Silver 600/400 800/200 900/100
Gold 100/400 300/200 400/100

For the Regular Fractal Matrix parallels, no card was available in more than one color meaning that each card in the set was specifically assigned to have a bronze, silver, or gold parallel. For the Fractal Matrix Die-Cuts, no card was available in more than one die-cut finish, meaning that each card in the set was specifically assigned to have a bronze, silver, or gold parallel and a specific X-axis, Y-axis, or Z-axis die-cut pattern. Additionally, the Regular Fractal Matrix cards do NOT designate which axis the card belongs to; however, the Die-cuts stated this information on the front of the card.

For the sake of brevity, each card's parallel color and axis is listed in the base set checklist above.

Inserts[edit]

Knot-Hole Gang[edit]

These cards were inserted across all Series One packs and featured a die-cut pattern that mimicked a wooden fence from a baseball playground and a hole that gave a window to the player's picture. Each card is serial-numbered to 5000 copies. Additionally, a promo edition of this set was also produced and distributed to dealers and The Hobby Media. The promos feature "SAMPLE" diagonal text on the front and back and are marked "PROMO/5000" on the back.

Paul-Molitor.jpg?id=31647ef6-1c13-4b94-b0ce-36f1961933a8&size=original&side=front.jpg Paul-Molitor.jpg?id=31647ef6-1c13-4b94-b0ce-36f1961933a8&size=original&side=back&.jpg

Paul-Molitor.jpg?id=f424dd5b-e147-4d7e-a00c-5c458d8b2a8f&size=original&side=front.jpg Paul-Molitor.jpg?id=f424dd5b-e147-4d7e-a00c-5c458d8b2a8f&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 1 Chuck Knoblauch
  • 2 Ken Griffey, Jr.
  • 3 Frank Thomas
  • 4 Tony Gwynn
  • 5 Mike Piazza
  • 6 Jeff Bagwell
  • 7 Rusty Greer
  • 8 Cal Ripken, Jr.
  • 9 Chipper Jones
  • 10 Ryan Klesko
  • 11 Barry Larkin
  • 12 Paul Molitor

Get-A-Grip[edit]

This set was exclusive to Series One Hobby packs and featured die-cut cards printed on foil. The insert name is a pun as the die-cut pattern allowed you to "grip" the card in your hand and the card itself showed the different "grips" a pitcher uses to throw certain pitches. The front of the card featured a batter and the back of the card featured a pitcher. Each card is serial-numbered to 3500 copies.

Ken-Griffey-Jr-Greg-Maddux.jpg?id=0df2135d-b969-43b0-8266-468759d87455&size=original&side=front.jpg Ken-Griffey-Jr-Greg-Maddux.jpg?id=0df2135d-b969-43b0-8266-468759d87455&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 1 Ken Griffey, Jr. / Greg Maddux
  • 2 Frank Thomas / John Smoltz
  • 3 Mike Piazza / Andy Pettitte
  • 4 Chipper Jones / Randy Johnson
  • 5 Alex Rodriguez / Tom Glavine
  • 6 Jeff Bagwell / Pat Hentgen
  • 7 Juan Gonzalez / Kevin Brown
  • 8 Barry Bonds / Mike Mussina
  • 9 Hideo Nomo / Albert Belle
  • 10 Andruw Jones / Troy Percival
  • 11 Roger Clemens / Brian Jordan
  • 12 Ivan Rodriguez / Paul Wilson
  • 13 Mo Vaughn / Andy Benes
  • 14 Derek Jeter / Al Leiter
  • 15 Cal Ripken / Bill Pulsipher
  • 16 Mariano Rivera / Ken Caminiti

Dress For Success[edit]

This set was exclusive to Series One retail packs and featured cards printed on nylon with felt to simulate the look and feel of a team jersey. Each card is serial-numbered to 3500 copies.

Mike-Piazza.jpg?id=e075d9fa-65c1-44b6-9d62-b1e97586af67&size=original&side=front.jpg Mike-Piazza.jpg?id=e075d9fa-65c1-44b6-9d62-b1e97586af67&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 1 Greg Maddux
  • 2 Cal Ripken, Jr.
  • 3 Albert Belle
  • 4 Frank Thomas
  • 5 Dante Bichette
  • 6 Gary Sheffield
  • 7 Jeff Bagwell
  • 8 Mike Piazza
  • 9 Mark McGwire
  • 10 Ken Caminiti
  • 11 Alex Rodriguez
  • 12 Ken Griffey, Jr.
  • 13 Juan Gonzalez
  • 14 Brian Jordan
  • 15 Mo Vaughn
  • 16 Ivan Rodriguez
  • 17 Andruw Jones
  • 18 Chipper Jones

[edit]

This set was exclusive to Series One jumbo packs and featured die-cut cards printed on canvas that were shaped like a banner. Each card is serial-numbered to 2500 copies.

Frank-Thomas.jpg?id=be376938-4dfc-4513-bc7b-b764e13b246d&size=original&side=front.jpg Frank-Thomas.jpg?id=be376938-4dfc-4513-bc7b-b764e13b246d&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 1 Jeff Bagwell
  • 2 Ken Griffey, Jr.
  • 3 Juan Gonzalez
  • 4 Frank Thomas
  • 5 Alex Rodriguez
  • 6 Kenny Lofton
  • 7 Chuck Knoblauch
  • 8 Mo Vaughn
  • 9 Chipper Jones
  • 10 Ken Caminiti
  • 11 Craig Biggio
  • 12 John Smoltz
  • 13 Pat Hentgen
  • 14 Derek Jeter
  • 15 Todd Hollandsworth

Statistical Standouts[edit]

Leaf's flagship and annual insert, these cards were inserted across all Series One packs. This year, the card resembled a fielding glove: the card was die-cut and bi-layered so it "opened up" like a glove. This design was the first of its kind seen in the hobby. Each card is serial-numbered to 1000 copies.

NOTE: The "flap" was glued to the card with rubber cement, which should easily, but not always, rub off without damaging the card.

John-Smoltz.jpg?id=be77ca08-c906-4c59-8c75-0c1ee7702f4d&size=original&side=front.jpg John-Smoltz.jpg?id=be77ca08-c906-4c59-8c75-0c1ee7702f4d&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 1 Albert Belle
  • 2 Juan Gonzalez
  • 3 Ken Griffey, Jr.
  • 4 Alex Rodriguez
  • 5 Frank Thomas
  • 6 Chipper Jones
  • 7 Greg Maddux
  • 8 Mike Piazza
  • 9 Cal Ripken, Jr.
  • 10 Mark McGwire
  • 11 Barry Bonds
  • 12 Derek Jeter
  • 13 Ken Caminiti
  • 14 John Smoltz
  • 15 Paul Molitor

Warning Track[edit]

This set was exclusive to Series Two packs and featured cards printed on canvas to simulate the look and feel of an outfield wall. Each card is serial-numbered to 3500 copies.

Tony-Gwynn.jpg?id=d8ebfcfe-50b2-4c48-aaf9-75f304ac56a0&size=original&side=front.jpg Tony-Gwynn.jpg?id=d8ebfcfe-50b2-4c48-aaf9-75f304ac56a0&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 1 Ken Griffey, Jr.
  • 2 Albert Belle
  • 3 Barry Bonds
  • 4 Andruw Jones
  • 5 Kenny Lofton
  • 6 Tony Gwynn
  • 7 Manny Ramirez
  • 8 Rusty Greer
  • 9 Bernie Williams
  • 10 Gary Sheffield
  • 11 Juan Gonzalez
  • 12 Raul Mondesi
  • 13 Brady Anderson
  • 14 Rondell White
  • 15 Sammy Sosa
  • 16 Deion Sanders
  • 17 Dave Justice
  • 18 Jim Edmonds

Gold Leaf Stars[edit]

This set was exclusive to Series Two packs and featured cards stamped with real 22-karat gold leaf. Each card is serial-numbered to 2500 copies.

Deion-Sanders.jpg?id=9b4b2ede-c189-43e5-afbf-7fc6c7ef4a1f&size=original&side=front.jpg Deion-Sanders.jpg?id=9b4b2ede-c189-43e5-afbf-7fc6c7ef4a1f&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 1 Frank Thomas
  • 2 Alex Rodriguez
  • 3 Ken Griffey, Jr.
  • 4 Andruw Jones
  • 5 Chipper Jones
  • 6 Jeff Bagwell
  • 7 Derek Jeter
  • 8 Deion Sanders
  • 9 Ivan Rodriguez
  • 10 Juan Gonzalez
  • 11 Greg Maddux
  • 12 Andy Pettitte
  • 13 Roger Clemens
  • 14 Hideo Nomo
  • 15 Tony Gwynn
  • 16 Barry Bonds
  • 17 Kenny Lofton
  • 18 Paul Molitor
  • 19 Jim Thome
  • 20 Albert Belle
  • 21 Cal Ripken, Jr.
  • 22 Mark McGwire
  • 23 Barry Larkin
  • 24 Mike Piazza
  • 25 Darin Erstad
  • 26 Chuck Knoblauch
  • 27 Vladimir Guerrero
  • 28 Tony Clark
  • 29 Scott Rolen
  • 30 Nomar Garciaparra
  • 31 Eric Young
  • 32 Ryne Sandberg
  • 33 Roberto Alomar
  • 34 Eddie Murray
  • 35 Rafael Palmeiro
  • 36 Jose Guillen

Leagues of the Nation[edit]

This set was exclusive to Series Two packs and featured die-cut cards printed on felt that simulated a banner or flag. This insert celebrated interleague play and featured an American League player on the front and a National League player on the back that were set to match-up against each other in the '97 season. Each card is serial-numbered to 2500 copies.

Derek-Jeter-Kenny-Lofton.jpg?id=d8c43417-8b24-4339-bd0c-cdcbea686538&size=original&side=front.jpg Derek-Jeter-Kenny-Lofton.jpg?id=d8c43417-8b24-4339-bd0c-cdcbea686538&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 1 Juan Gonzalez / Barry Bonds
  • 2 Cal Ripken, Jr. / Chipper Jones
  • 3 Mark McGwire / Ken Caminiti
  • 4 Derek Jeter / Kenny Lofton
  • 5 Mike Piazza / Ivan Rodriguez
  • 6 Ken Griffey, Jr. / Larry Walker
  • 7 Sammy Sosa / Frank Thomas
  • 8 Paul Molitor / Barry Larkin
  • 9 Albert Belle / Deion Sanders
  • 10 Jeff Bagwell / Matt Williams
  • 11 Mo Vaughn / Gary Sheffield
  • 12 Alex Rodriguez / Tony Gwynn
  • 13 Scott Rolen / Tino Martinez
  • 14 Darin Erstad / Wilton Guerrero
  • 15 Vladimir Guerrero / Tony Clark

Jackie Robinson 1949 Leaf Reprint[edit]

This reprint of Jackie Robinson's 1949 Leaf card was inserted in all Series Two packs and was serial-numbered to 1948 copies.

NOTE: This card was also reprinted for that year's FanFest set. The FanFest card has the 1997 All-Star Game logo on the front and is NOT serial-numbered.

Jackie-Robinson.jpg?id=8665f82a-04a2-46c5-a72a-0036f488647d&size=original&side=front.jpg Jackie-Robinson.jpg?id=8665f82a-04a2-46c5-a72a-0036f488647d&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • NNO Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson Scratch 'N Win Game Card[edit]

These "scratch-off" game cards were randomly inserted into Series Two packs and could be redeemed for prizes. Donruss/Leaf repurchased six 1949 Leaf Jackie Robinson cards and gave away five as part of this promotion; the sixth could be obtained by submitting non-winning Scratch 'N Win cards. Other prizes sch as commemorative leather jackets and lithographs were also prizes.

Frank Thomas Blister Card[edit]

Frank-Thomas.jpg?id=d6ce5d32-668d-4227-81d5-e9a7e6a52414&size=original&side=front&.jpg Frank-Thomas.jpg?id=d6ce5d32-668d-4227-81d5-e9a7e6a52414&size=original&side=back&.jpg

Inserted on the top of each Series Two Blister pack is a special Frank Thomas card. The front of the card is a facsimile of his base card while the back has information on the 1997 Leaf set.

Frank Thomas "The Big Heart" Leukemia Charity[edit]

This four-card set was produced by Donruss as a fund raiser for the Frank Thomas Charitable Foundation. Thomas established the Foundation in memory of his sister, whom he lost to Leukemia. The cards could be ordered by mail for $20 each and information on how to order the cards was printed on each 1997 Leaf wrapper. All proceeds from the sale of the set went to the Thomas Foundation and only 2500 serial-numbered copies of each card was produced.

Card #1 in the set featured Thomas with Hall of Famer Rod Carew. The back of the card pictured Carew's daughter Michelle who passed away from Leukemia in 1996.

Frank-Thomas-Rod-Carew.jpg?id=9c793210-1b43-4896-a9c3-8cd522d1861b&size=original&side=front.jpg Frank-Thomas-Rod-Carew.jpg?id=9c793210-1b43-4896-a9c3-8cd522d1861b&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 1 Frank Thomas / Rod Carew / Michelle Carew
  • 2 Frank Thomas
  • 3 Frank Thomas
  • 4 Frank Thomas

Game-Used[edit]

Frank Thomas Collection[edit]

Frank-Thomas-(Away-Jersey).jpg?id=514387f5-b8d1-4905-a51a-d53dcb00a7c5&size=original&side=front&.jpg Frank-Thomas-(Away-Jersey).jpg?id=514387f5-b8d1-4905-a51a-d53dcb00a7c5&size=original&side=back&.jpg

Randomly inserted in Series Two packs, this six-card set featured pieces of game-used materials from then-Leaf spokesman Frank Thomas. Only 100 of each card were produced and each were serial-numbered on the back.

One of the landmark inserts in the Hobby, this set represented one of the earliest forays by an MLB-licensed manufacturer into game-used memorabilia inserts. While the 1997 Upper Deck Game Jersey inserts were the first game-used jersey cards ever produced for baseball cards, the 1997 Frank Thomas collection inserts were the first game-used bat, batting glove, hat, and sweatband cards ever produced for baseball cards. Further, this set also marked the introduction of the first ever serially-numbered, game-used memorabilia items that are commonly seen in the modern era.

  • 1 Frank Thomas HAT
  • 2 Frank Thomas HOME JSY
  • 3 Frank Thomas BTG GLV
  • 4 Frank Thomas BAT
  • 5 Frank Thomas WRISTBAND
  • 6 Frank Thomas AWAY JSY