What do you get when you combine top MLB stars with Marvel’s mightiest heroes? 1998 SkyBox Dugout Axcess Baseball Superheroes gets to the bottom of it with a baseball card twist.
Each of the ten insert cards pairs one baseball superstar with a big-name comic hero. It’s not a fully illustrated result like Panini’s Kaboom inserts that would follow 15 years later and go on to become a hobby juggernaut. These are a mix of photographs and late ’90s computer-enhanced art that was trendy at the time.
Pairs are loose to say the least, based largely on abilities. For Cal Ripken Jr., Iron Man was the obvious choice given his nickname.
Landing 1:20 packs, these weren’t overly hard pulls in the kid-friendly product. That said, only the 1:72 pack Gronks were tougher on the 1998 SkyBox Dugout Axcess Baseball checklist. Over the years, the Superheroes inserts have become more popular and gained value as the first baseball and comic combination.
At the time, Marvel owned Fleer/SkyBox, putting them in both comic and trading card realms.
1998 SkyBox Dugout Axcess Baseball Superheroes Checklist
Click on the links to shop for cards on eBay or to check current market values.
1 of 10 SH Barry Bonds, San Francisco Giants / Thor
2 of 10 SH Andres Galarraga, Atlanta Braves / Mr. Fantastic
3 of 10 SH Ken Griffey Jr., Seattle Mariners / Spider-Man
4 of 10 SH Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves / Captain America
5 of 10 SH Andruw Jones, Atlanta Braves / Silver Surfer
6 of 10 SH Hideo Nomo, Los Angeles Dodgers / Human Torch
7 of 10 SH Cal Ripken Jr., Baltimore Orioles / Iron Man
8 of 10 SH Alex Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners / Namor
9 of 10 SH Frank Thomas, Chicago White Sox / Colossus
10 of 10 SH Mo Vaughn, Boston Red Sox / Incredible Hulk
