Cal Ripken, Jr. is and always will be "The Iron Man" of Major League Baseball, but Ripken was much more than just his remarkable streak. He was one of the most consistent players of his generation-if not, the most consistent. He didn't just show up. He produced. Not only could you count on him to get 600 at bats per year, he'd also add power, run production, and stellar defense … [Read more...]
Sweet Swings and Gold Gloves: Don Mattingly Rookie Cards Still Popular with Collectors
You've got to be a ballplayer's ballplayer to actually have the word "baseball" attached to your nickname. When it comes to the phrase "born to play the game," it's hard to beat "Donnie Baseball." Despite never having competed in a World Series or being in the Hall of Fame, he's extraordinarily popular. A brilliant bright spot during a time in which the New … [Read more...]
Big League Chew’s Flavorful History Includes Baseball Cards
So I just happened to find a bag of Big League Chew today. On clearance for 95 cents, I just couldn't pass it up. It's been a while since I've tasted the gum I loved as a childhood favorite. I fully plan to split it with my eight-year-old and see who can blow the biggest Major League bubble. Big League Chew was always much better than the gum you picked up out of a … [Read more...]
1987-1991 Topps Glossy Rookie Sets Required 100-Card Cello Pack Purchase
At the height of the late 1980s and early 90s sports card boom, Topps expanded its packaging options. While you could still go into a drug store, super market, convenience store or gas station and buy a single wax pack for 40 to 50 cents and maybe a cello pack for a little more, other outlets offered bigger options. At K-Mart in 1989 and '90, there were blister packs that … [Read more...]
1985 Topps Team USA Cards Paved the Way for Future Olympic Issues
Throughout the years, Topps has established some of the most important innovations in baseball card history. One of their more unique ideas was to begin creating baseball cards for members of Team USA's baseball team. That move came in 1985, the year after the 1984 Olympics team took the field. Team USA was the host nation as the Olympics were held in Los Angeles that year. … [Read more...]
Revisiting the 1989 Topps #1 Draft Pick Cards
Topps tried something a little different in 1989 when they created cards for some No. 1 picks from the 1988 Major League Baseball Draft. It was something other sets (like Classic) would pick up on a little later in the 1990s. Today, we're used to seeing all kinds of "prospect cards" of players that are created within months of the draft. But it was a different idea at … [Read more...]
30th Anniversary Spotlight: Looking Back at the 1989 Scoremasters Set
1989 was a landmark year for baseball card collecting. In addition to Upper Deck, other intriguing sets were launched (or, in the case of Bowman, re-launched). Even brands that existed began to branch out and create other ancillary sets in addition to their standard base issues. Score first issued cards in 1988 but quickly became one of these companies producing more than … [Read more...]
Bochy Looks Back at Career Through His Old Cards
His first card was actually a minor league issue. Bruce Bochy looks a LOT different on that card, issued in the 1970s when he was a young catcher hoping to reach the big leagues. He spent parts of eight seasons in the majors before becoming a coach and eventually a manager with the Padres and Giants. Winning three World Series in San Francisco has put him on a … [Read more...]
A Look Back at Some of 1989’s Coolest Base and Update Cards
Thirty years ago, lots of things were happening in the baseball card industry. Topps brought the Bowman label back from the dead while Upper Deck entered a market that was starting to become a little crowded. Add it all up, and it was a pretty revolutionary year for the hobby. Inserts are often the cards collectors want the most these days. But lost in the shuffle is that … [Read more...]
30th Anniversary Brings Back Memories of Bowman’s Stunning Return
Bowman was one of the earliest post-war producers of baseball gum cards. However, after a run of sets issued from 1948 through 1955, the company packed it in. Bowman competed heavily with Topps once the latter began producing baseball cards. After a brief battle, Topps ultimately bought Bowman out. Rather than operate Bowman as a separate entity, Topps ended the production … [Read more...]