Finally in 1980 Fleer would have a significant change in its football card design. Also in 1980 Fleer won the antitrust suit against Topps and the Players' Union. In 1981 they could begin printing cards but Topps retained a monopoly on cards packaged with gum. Fleer would insert sticker similar to those they sold in packs with gum in the '60s and 70's. Donruss would insert puzzle pieces. I understand that initially cards were used to help sell gum, but by 1981 the cards were the main attraction. Not the gum, not the stickers, not the puzzle pieces, certainly not the cookie inserted in the 1963 Fleer baseball card packs.
The 1980 AL Cy Young winner Steve Stone had a career year on a steady diet of curveballs. He ended up winning 25 games during the regular season but it took a toll on his arm. In the post season he only pitched 2 innings in relief giving up 2 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks. In 1981 he went 4 -7 and retired at the end of the season.
No comments:
Post a Comment