They’re almost an afterthought now. Complete sets sometimes go unsold at $10 when you see them but most veteran show dealers don’t even bother to bring them. In their day, though, they had the hobby buzzing. The 1980 Topps Superstar 5x7 photos were big, bold and more importantly—something new from Topps. It was a year before Fleer and Donruss turned baseball … [Read more...]
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Prime Time at 50: Deion Sanders Cards Span Two Sports
If you're a child of the 90s, it may not seem possible. Deion Sanders is now eligible to join AARP. The brash, flashy young talent who was no stranger to self-promotion and gaudy jewelry turned 50 on Wednesday. Neon Deion was once one of the NFL's most electrifying players, a gifted athlete who followed in Bo Jackson's large footsteps by having a Major League … [Read more...]
Cards Not Worth Much? 10 Things You Can Do With Them
For many kids who grew up in the late 1980s or early 90s, it came as a shock. Those baseball and football cards they faithfully accumulated like a fine stock portfolio were supposed to rise in value as the players’ careers ascended. By the time you were in your 30s, you should have enough to pay your first house, right? Actually…no. As most collectors who kept … [Read more...]
7 Fun, Early Tim Raines Baseball Cards
He owns 2,605 career hits, more career stolen bases than all but three players (all of whom are in the Hall of Fame) and batted .300 or better five times. 2017 will go down as the year Tim Raines was finally recognized as one of the game's true greats. In honor of his seven consecutive All-Star selections from 1981-87, here are seven worthwhile Tim Raines baseball … [Read more...]
1981 Kellogg’s Set Included New Size, New Distribution
Kellogg's continued its run of baseball card sets for a 12th consecutive year in 1981. The 1981 Kellogg's set wasn't only bigger but also much more limited in distribution. Here's a closer look at the set. 1981 Kellogg's Basics In 1980, Kellogg's went with an ultra slim design. The cards had already been narrow but Kellogg's went with an incredibly skinny card that year that … [Read more...]
Editor’s Blog: Love for the Oddball Sets
It’s always nice when a story in our archives is discovered by someone who appreciates the subject matter. It’s even more fun when a little tidbit is brought back to the surface because of their discovery. In the latest post on the SABR baseball card blog, long-time baseball writer Rob Neyer wrote about the long-forgotten 1985 Circle K All-Time Home Run Kings … [Read more...]
1980 Kellogg’s Baseball Set Went Skinny
A spring and summer tradition that had begun at the dawn of the previous decade continues as a new one began. In addition to bringing back some of the game's biggest stars, 1980 Kellogg's baseball set featured another star-studded cast and a new design; even slimmer than its traditionally narrow cards. 1980 Kellogg's Basics The 1980 Kellogg's cards sported many of the … [Read more...]
35th Anniversary: 1981 Fleer Helped Usher In New Era
Thirty-five years ago, the collecting landscape had changed dramatically. The monopoly had ended earlier in the year when Fleer and Donruss began producing MLB-licensed baseball cards. In the fall came the first Topps Traded/Update set. Fleer was not an unknown name, having created a short-lived 1963 set packed with cookies, all-time greats sets in the 1960s and … [Read more...]
Editor’s Blog: Once Golden, 1985 Topps Ultimately Served Disappointment
The 1985 Topps baseball card set is perhaps one of the best examples of how quickly fortunes can change for not just one or two cards, but an entire set and, in many ways, an entire generation of players. As early as 1986, it would have sounded like madness to suggest that the '85 Topps cards of some of the games most popular and productive players would be anything less … [Read more...]
Rickey Henderson Cards Remain A Bargain
If you're looking for one of the biggest bangs for your buck when it comes to 1980s stars, Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson fits the bill. With his long career now in the rearview mirror, Henderson's career achievements continue to make even diehard stats junkies do a double take. Most fans already know that he hit the most leadoff home runs in major league history (81), but … [Read more...]
