FINALLY!!! After 10+ years, the set is COMPLETE!

[jrlebert]

Very rarely do I get SUPER excited about an impending mail day. Don't get me wrong, I love collecting, and I still have as much joy in the hobby as anyone. Being a set collector, however, means being part of a dying breed.

One of my favorite sets ever is 2001 Finest. Only one major rookie, Jose Reyes, and a bunch of guys who didn't pan out (remember Luis Montanez anyone?), and some neat SP stars numbered to 1999 for the base cards, and 999 for the rookies. I, however, fell for the refractor sets. I think it was the 2001 Finest Origins set, where the refractors looked just like the 1993 Finest Refractors, as the players were all rookies in or around that year, that hooked me. The SP superstars (McGwire, Griffey, Sosa, Bonds, etc... but not Ripken. Why not?) refractors are serial numbered to /399, and the base refractors (including Ripken) to /499.

Either way, the refractor set was tough. There are only 241 possible sets, the number 241 being derived from the supposed number of 1993 Finest Refractors produced by Topps in their debut year. Not sure if this was just an homage to that number, or Topps conceding that the non-SPs from that year really were produced to just 241 cards, but for whatever reason, Topps decided that each rookie/prospect from 2001 Finest, of which there were 30 (cards 111-140), would be numbered to /241. With a few collectors owning multiple copies of Reyes (like myself, I have 2), I doubt there are more than 200 possible sets.

Well, I have COMC to thank for the momentous addition to my set. Turns out, the two cards I have been in need of for about 2 years or so both surfaced within about a month or so of each other. Figures, right?

Without further ado, here is the 140th and final card needed for my 2001 Finest Refractor set, #124, Danny Borrell of the New York Yankees, serial numbered 144 of 241.



Maybe it was on account of the pinstripes and all those Yankee collectors (possibly), or a few collectors hoarded him over the years (doubt it), or even that he is a super SP or something (no, I know... he's not.), but for whatever the reason, I have not been able to check this card off my want list for 10 years!!!

I also have all of the insert sets done in Refractor version as well. A "master set" of 2001 Finest Refractors, if you will...

Well, now what set to work on? Any thoughts?

FYI... while I would love for you to leave your comments below about what set I should actually begin working on, I am only about 25 cards or so away from my original super chase set, 1999 Upper Deck Black Diamond Quadruple Diamonds /150 and /100. So I have that... just looking for some other suggestions...

[jrlebert]

well... no comments... oh well. one more bump, and then off I go.

[yazfan71]

Congrats on completing your set! Can't really think of any suggestions for your next one as I'm not a set builder myself....I knew a long time ago that I'll never finish my collection! Whatever you decide, good luck!

[edgeusaf1]

Congrats!! Nice accomplishment!

[Trishlp]

Congrats! from 1 set collector to another I know that is a great feeling to finally put a set that you have been working on for years on your completed set list.
Don't really have a suggestion as to what set to try next but good luck on your 1999 Upper Deck Black Diamond Quadruple Diamonds /150 and /100 mission.
Trish

[ensbergcollector]

congrats man, nothing like finally finding a card you have been hunting for!

[dee dubs]

nice.

[Metspride129]

Congrats man! Must have felt amazing puttimg that card you have been looking for fer 10 years in your set! Congrats man

[troygoesdeep]

wow nice set man

[slfc]

Congrats on completing this set. Which cards are your favorites, if you have any?