2005 Upper Deck Classics - Group Break - Pack 01

Now that I've gotten a decent chunk of both the 1998 and 1999 UD Collector's Choice boxes busted, it's time to start busting packs from the third box as well - 2005 Upper Deck Classics.

Before this box break, I had never bought a single pack of this set (though, it turns out, I have acquired a bunch of these cards in previous trades without realizing it)! 

Each pack promises 8 cards and proclaims "look for numbered insert cards and cut signature cards."

According to the stated odds on the pack wrapper, there are:
1:4  Retro Star Rookies
1:14 Numbered insert and parallel cards
1:14  Game-Used cards
1:224 Signature cards
1:72,000  Classic Cuts

Judging from the odds, I wouldn't expect any signatures (and certainly no cut signatures)...but who knows?  Only one way to find out!

Note:  As with the first pack out of the 1998 UD Choice and the 1999 UD Choice boxes, I've scanned each and every card (including a card back) to really show off the set.  After this pack is finished, I'll go back to the typical two or three scans in order to get this group break wrapped up in a decent amount of time!

2005 Upper Deck Classics
Pack 01:

6.  Bill Russell (Dodgers)

According to the card back, Bill Russell played in more career games than any other player in Dodger's history. 
8.  Billy Williams (Cubs)

Billy Williams hit 426 homeruns in his career - which is impressive considering he started his 18-year career in 1961!
15.  Brooks Robinson (Orioles)

Did you know?  Brooks Robinson managed to win the MVP award for the American League, the All-Star Game, and the World Series in his career!
24.  Dave McNally (Orioles)

The backs of the Upper Deck Classics cards are quite clean.  They feature the player "vitals" at the top, a full-color team logo in the upper right-hand corner and a single "lifetime" statistical line.  Each card back also features a photo (a cropped version of the front photo) of the player and a brief write-up of what makes that player a "classic."  All together, a nice, clean card back!
42.  Harmon Killebrew (Twins)

Although many of the cards seem to feature color photos, the occassional black and white photo really adds to the "classics" feel of the set.  This particular card is a great example of that.
75.  Pee Wee Reese (Brooklyn) 

I suppose this card should go into the Dodgers pile!  That should make BABenny happy since he claimed the Dodgers.  The back of the card features the old Brooklyn Dodgers logo - which as a baseball history buff, I really appreciate!
76.  Phil Niekro (Braves)

The uniform that Niekro is wearing is classic enough that he doesn't need any other reason to be in this set!  Of course, his knuckleball is probably the real reason he was included...
91.  Tommie Agee (Mets)

A member of the Miracle Mets, Agee ended his career with a tantalizing 999 career hits!
Dummy card

And there you have it, the first pack out of the third box.  At this point, everyone should have a good feel for the three different sets.  I'm hoping to crank out at least 15-20 more packs before the end of the week...maybe more if I don't get too swamped with grading for work!