Greetings. While I'm still in family funeral limbo, how about another boxed set provided to me by reader Alan?
This is a box of Fleer's EXCITING STARS from 1989. The one thing that strikes me when I see this box is how ancient it makes me feel. This is a common first reaction to a lot of things these days -- when I see the current cost of a dress shirt, any time someone says "just get the app," whenever I spot someone with pink hair -- my first thought is: HOW OLD AM I?
1989 doesn't seem that long ago until I do the math and realize that a good portion of grown-ups weren't around for Back to the Future II, let alone Back to the Future I.
Just look at this box. Fleer stop existing more than a decade ago. Hills disappeared when Ames bought it out and then Ames went out of business! That was 17 years ago!
Also, also: $1.97 for 44 cards??? You can't buy a single pack for that now.
Look at the back:
A paper checklist. Well, isn't that darling?
(I realize checklists still exist on card backs in Topps flagship but they're only there to appease ancient collectors like me).
Also, what grandpa came up with the phrase EXCITING STARS. Everyone knows that the general public considers baseball as thrilling as reading the electric bill. And MLB, sensing this, is desperate to portray the game as young and edgy by attempting to institute very young -- like youth-sports-young -- measures such as starting a runner on second base in extra inning while people desert the sport for ones that involve actually playing video games. I've heard the following complaint: "All they do is stand around. It's so boring!" more about baseball than any other sport (even golf) and every one of those complaining, misguided people has been younger than me.
But, heck, if 1989 wants to consider baseball exciting, I will go along with that. If you ask me, 1989 was one of the last sane years we've ever had. But that's only because I'm SO OLD.
Anyway, let's take a look at the cards. In the spirit of the box, I will try to determine the most exciting and least exciting card of each picture.
I will start with the logos first. As you can see I beat the odds by getting seven logos in a box that advertised six. Silly, 1989, they can't even get the advertising right. Immediately I spot plenty of archaic logos and one extinct team. The '80s was the last great decade and the logos explain that succinctly.
Most exciting: Dodgers, of course
Least exciting: They're all very exciting.
1989 Fleer EXCITING STARS ordered the cards in the box from No. 44 to 1, meaning the the players last alphabetically appear first. How's that for EXCITING.
Most exciting star: That's easy. The Wizard of Oz. Although he really should be fielding.
Least exciting star: There was no way for 1989 Fleer EXCITING STARS to know this at the time but Kevin Seitzer was about to get rather unexciting.
Most exciting star: Toss up between McGwire and Puckett, although personal preference says Puckett.
Least exciting star: I'm a Dodger fan and I know that Tim Leary pitched in that 1988 World Series but even I have a difficult time remembering him. Plus, that photo does not say EXCITING. Mark Langston and Ricky Jordan appear to have given up a home run and struck out, respectively, and those are still more exciting than staring vacantly into the camera.
Most exciting star: It's a few months after the Year of the Bulldog. Orel Hershiser would be the most exciting card in this whole box if I opened it in 1989.
Least exciting star: Danny Jackson is about to spit. Captivating.
Most exciting star: That sure was an exciting homer by Gibby but I need to go with Doc.
Least exciting star: Jim Gott saved more than 30 games in just one year. Fleer made him EXCITING because of it.
Most exciting star: Plenty of options here. You could make the case for just about everyone. But I'll go with Canseco. Back when the notion of being able to hit a home run every time you came to the plate was a novelty.
Least exciting star: Most recent Hall of Fame selection, Harold Baines.
And that's your look into what 1989 thought was EXCITING.
That and Milli Vanilli.
Yup, that really was a long time ago.
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