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Thinking pink


The color pink. Whaddaya think?

It has its place. In cartoons from the '70s, sure.

In houses from the '50s, you bet.

On fashion models, where do I sign up?

But on baseball cards?

Baseball cards???

Once again, the answer is: unequivocally, definitely, positively, one hundred percent ...

Yes.

Oh, I've heard the protests. One even showed up on the last post I wrote. It said: "Pink should never be on a baseball card!" (I corrected the spelling for you, Adam). Why even yours truly has lamented the many times that pink has appeared on the Dodgers' baseball cards. It's true, it's not my favorite color.

But never?

Never ever?

Better alert Topps:



And Donruss:



And Fleer:



And Upper Deck:



And when you're done doing that, better alert Topps again:



And again:



And again:



In fact, for quite awhile there, the color pink was a staple of Topps' palette for years and years.

Beginning in 1972:


The


Color


Pink


Appeared


On


Every


Topps


Set


For


The


Next


Thirteen


Years!


Even in a pink-bereft set like 1985 Topps, the company couldn't resist sneaking the color in ever so slightly:


And pink has popped up on other sets ...


Here ...


... and there.


In fact, it's the perfect time to discuss the color because it happens to be Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Sports teams from high schools to the NFL are wearing pink on their uniforms to show support for those battling the disease.

Next year, Topps is coming out with pink parallels that are also connected to the fight against breast cancer. Some collectors are scoffing at these, but I have no problem with them.

Pink's always been a part of baseball cards.

Since long before card collecting scoffers were scoffing.

Since long before card collecting bloggers were blogging.

Since way back when, in fact.


No pink on a baseball card?

It's just not going to happen.


You'd have to outlaw bubble gum, too.

Comments

Robert said…
Leave it to the Night Owl to bring me back to earth.

Great post sir!
Anonymous said…
Awesome post and very true indeed.
Pink was also the team color for Royals and Expos cards in the 1969 set.
Zayden said…
That's very cool. I wasn't fully aware that pink has always been apart of cards.

I'm down with the pink parallels for next year too.

Pink...its like red but not quite.
Commishbob said…
Nice timing, I've got a pink one lined up for the morning.
Dennis said…
Yep. Bring it on. I'm looking forward to the pink parallels in 2013.
I'm actually ok with all of that except the Stargell and the use of the word "Dandies". That's just wrong.