Eclectic Collection Number 35 – 1996 Pinnacle Mariano Rivera

The Player

Mariano Rivera is the greatest closer ever and the most dominate post season pitcher in memory. He is the all time saves leader with 603 and has 1,111 strikeouts. He is also a twelve time all star, a three time Rolaids Relief Man Award winner and a five time World Series champion with the NY Yankees. His cut fastball is said to be the best ever and is on the list of the single greatest pitches, alongside Sandy Koufax’s curveball and Steve Carlton’s slider. When it is all over, his career will take him from his native Panama to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.

The Set

The 1996 Pinnacle is all about the foil. It was also a cool set for the time period. There were some interesting inserts, but no high dollar rookies like today’s card set.

The Back

The thing that sticks out to me about the back of the card is how young Mariano looks. I don’t know if anyone could have guessed the career that was ahead of him. I also think the large ROOKIE on the back is a bit gaudy.

Tags: 1996 Pinnacle, closer, Yankees