I'm pretty sure I've neglected close to a dozen regular features on this blog. I always seem to have lots of ideas. But if it can't be completed in a day, then my forgetful self takes over and you can kiss that concept adios.
So, anytime I unearth a feature from my brain, or -- duh, take a look at my own sidebar once in awhile -- it's a time to celebrate. I'm following through on an idea. Yay, me!
So here's a regular feature that I didn't forget.
I've charted the biggest year-to-year improvements and busts for Topps, Upper Deck and Donruss. It's now Fleer's turn.
Fleer is an interesting creature. It's kind of the lovable loser of card companies. In MLB terms, it's maybe not as inept as the Cubs, but probably more like the Mets. It has produced sporadic spectacular, memorable years, a lot of "oh lord, bless you for trying" years, and some downright "get thee to rehab" years.
My personal favorites are 1984 and 1994 Fleer. I also have affection for 1982 Fleer although it's flawed in 25 different directions. And I've always enjoyed 1987 and 1988 Fleer. My least favorite are probably 1989 and 1990 as they couldn't be more boring. And every collector worth his or her blogging badge has already weighed in on 1991 and 1995 Fleer.
I'd like you to give your Fleer thoughts in the comments. I'm looking for the biggest year-to-year improvement in Fleer and the biggest year-to-year collapse. So, in the comments you can say, "biggest bust: 1994 to 1995" (I'm sure that will appear a lot) and "biggest improvement: "1993 to 1994."
Once I receive enough comments, I'll put up a poll and that will decide the final results.
As for which Fleer years are eligible, that's kind of tricky. Older collectors will remember Fleer appearing in the late '50s/early '60s. But that's too long ago and too short a period for me. I am limiting the years to consider from Fleer's return, in 1981, through 1997. After that Fleer flaked out with Tradition and Brillants and Focus and Platinum and Genuine, etc., etc. It's too difficult to determine one primary base set.
Finally, here is a look at every Fleer base card from 1981-97 for your convenience:
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
That is your Fleer retrospective.
Please take a moment to acknowledge that I actually remembered to continue this series and leave your opinions in the comments.
I promise, it will be less annoying than watching the World Series tonight.
Comments
Biggest Improvement 83-84
My favorite set is still 82, but I have no evidence as to why that should be true.
Biggest improvement 95-96
I absolutely love that Fleer tried something new with the 1996 set, even if it wasn't perfect. Of course after 1995, anything would have been a major improvement.
Biggest bust: 1982-1983
I'm not trying to hate on '83, but it was sandwiched right in between a couple of my favorites from Fleer. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, but I actually like '95 Fleer.
P.S. -- Will the "Cubs are inept" jokes ever end?
Biggest Improvement: 1995 > 1996
Biggest Bust: 1987 > 1988 (I also thought about 1988 > 1989)
Biggest bust 94-95
83 & 94 Fleet are two of my favourite Fleet sets.
I'm a Red Sox fan. There is NOTHING annoying about this evening's World Series game.
Biggest Bust: 90-91-92-93
1990 is a pretty decent-looking set by my standards, but from there through 1993 I like the designs less and less. 1994 is kind of neutral, but I can't say it is worse that 1993. In my eyes it is slightly better than 1993, but then in 1995 Fleer really went for it with a controversial design before settling into that bland matte thing. I probably have a little nostalgia bias toward the 95 Fleer set because the '95-96 Basketball set of the same design was one of the first years that I was really into collecting, so I busted a lot of those packs. I still remember pulling a Kevin Garnett Rookie Phenoms card and being totally stoked because that was like a $12 card in Beckett!
But if Fleer would return to cards business I'd be happy.
Biggest Improvement: 91-92. I don't dislike the yellow, but I love the '92 set. I love all '92 sets. They were the peak of my childhood collecting.
Biggest improvement: '93-'94
And I don't care what anyone says - I love the '95 set. Take away my blogging privileges, throw me in prison, whatever. I think it's not the worst.
improvement: 95-96
yeah, just hatin' on 1995 Fleer.
Reasons I generally like Fleer.. the backs usually featured full professional stats, including minor league numbers even if the guy had been in the majors for many years. That was always very cool, I thought. Plus, they were good about usually giving a final ("sunset") card to a guy who retired the previous year (complete career totals!), something Topps unfortunately rarely did.
Oh, wait. That's a different Web site...
Biggest Bust: 1994 to 1995; Biggest Improvement: 1983 to 1984
You're right, the biggest bust seems like a bit of a no-brainer. There are plenty of Fleer sets that I really don't like very much, but '83 is the one that was followed up by something that was actually pretty good, so I'll go there. I can't stand the color of the '83 borders. Looks like puke.
Improvement: '95 to '96
For reasons unexplainable, I adore the 88 set. And despise the 89 set. I love the minimalist design of the 95 & 96 sets and the matte cardstock that Fleer used.