Donruss Announces Production of 2008 Playoff Contenders Baseball

January 7 2009
By Cardboard Connection News

After giving collectors a sneak peak at Playoff Contenders Baseball in their recently released 2008 Prime Cuts IV Baseball, many wondered whether a full scale return to the baseball diamond was in the works for Playoff Contenders. Donruss announced late Wednesday that this was indeed the case.

Donruss Brand Manager Ben Ecklar said via written press release, "This is something we have kicked-around for years. As we expand our baseball offerings and look at what brands translate well in baseball, the timing was right to finally release Contenders in baseball."

2008 Playoff Contenders Baseball will feature a checklist of 50 base cards and 100 signed rookie cards. The product will feature the first certified autographs of 19 year old Chicago White Sox third base super prospect Dayan Viciedo, who signed a four year, $10 million deal with the club in November after defecting from Cuba last summer.

"Viciedo is a guy who could find his way to the majors sooner rather than later," said Mike Payne, part of the Donruss baseball brand team. "Even if he's two years away from the South Side, the White Sox believe in him enough that they signed him to a multi-year deal at significant dollars."

A number of additional noteworthy prospects have contributed their first ever certified autograph cards to 2008 Playoff Contenders Baseball as well. Other first timers include Yankee prospects Pat Venditte, an ambidextrous pitcher, and two-sport athlete Mike Jones, who played WR at Arizona State in 2008. Rounding out the list are Rangers prospects Jared Bolden, an outfielder drafted in 2008, and LHP Derek Holland; Twins outfielder Angel Morales; Dodgers prospects Pedro Baez, a third baseman, and Devaris Gordon, a shortstop; Reds shortstop Alex Buchholz, and Red Sox SS Yamaico Navarro.

A number of other notable prospects will be included in the set as well. 2008 Playoff Contenders Baseball will feature cards of 2008 1st rounders Buster Posey and Gordon Beckham, as well as 2007 1st round draft pick Rick Porcello, in addition to a slew of other high profile MLB prospects.

As an added bonus, Donruss will also be including the FIRST Playoff Contenders basketball cards: Rookie Tickets of OJ Mayo, Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley.

"We couldn't have asked for three better NBA draft picks to debut Contenders basketball with," adds Ecklar.

Addition Highlights of 2008 Playoff Contenders Baseball include:

Legendary Rookies: Look for autographs from legendary names such as Pete Rose, Cal Ripken Jr. and Willie Mays, among others.

Round #'s: Look for combinations from this year's MLB First Year Player Draft, such as Posey/Beckham and former University of Arizona pitchers Daniel Schlereth and Ryan Perry, among other combinations.

Draft Class: Look for the top players taken in the MLB draft.

2008 Playoff Contenders is scheduled for release in late January. Each five card pack will carry a $6 SRP. Stay tuned to The Cardboard Connection for all the latest 2008 Playoff Contenders Baseball news and information.