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Sunday, September 14, 2014

SNACK TIME

Hot dog, you ask?  No.  In the mood for something sweet today.  Let's take a little trip back to 1987 for some air-brushed fun:  M&M's Star Lineup, 24 cards issued in 12 two-card panels.  I believe these were found in large M&M bags, one panel per package.  These cards are clean so either the candy coating doesn't stain or cards were wrapped.  I'm unable to find more detailed information.



The Sportscard Bible offers this:

The cards were printed in perforated pairs which measure approximately 5" by 3 1/2"  The players are shown without team logos. (I would not have known this. Duh.) The cards were designed and produced by MSA, Mike Schechter Associates. (The guys who brought us cards in sausage and pizza packaging. MSA = NMF ...not my friends.)   The values for panels intact would be valued at 25 percent more than the sum of the two individual players. (Yeah throw in some math on my day off.)




Wally does NOT look 25 here.

Tony is supplementing his income with after hours construction work.


Mike's card is terrible.  His poorly edited hat
appears much too small, cut and pasted to his
head. Fun fun fun!

Ryno - I'll say nothing tacky about my fave Cub.
But this shot...well there are worse backgrounds.
See next card.



The ugly sweater behind Wade's shoulder distracts enough, we don't notice the missing Red Sox logo.

Jack, dropped off in the middle of nowhere for his photo opp.







Young, round-faced Clemens in his school-boy
cap. Touching.

Harold's cap is outlined in red to match the brim. Such fakery!  






Featuring Dale Murphy's Adams-Apple and another great photo-shoot location!

In a dark and moody moment, Jose ponders his future. Perhaps, he thinks to himself. Perhaps I'll write a book.





A glassy-eyed Donny Baseball, up early for his
yearbook picture. Showing off his favorite carved up hat!

Gary Carter - a World Series winning smile.






Cal is looking a bit jaundiced after a last place 86 Season. 

In 1988, George Brett will finally make it to first base.

Panini and Friends take notice: this pairing is a good example of card design w/o logos.  Hide the hat, or take it off.




Sweet Kirby. Lots of space where your hat once was. Eraser happy editor.


Joe.  1993. Still unforgiven.




Mike Witt had a career year in 86 with 18 wins and 2.84 ERA.  He lost his stuff in 1987 and the career descent began. Was this off-centered shot an omen?

Mike Scott - 1986 Cy Young winner, 18 wins and 2.22 ERA.  David Soul was his hero. Will someday appear in B-movie Looking For Starsky.



Fernando went 21-11 with a 3.14 ERA in 1986. League Leader in wins, complete games and innings pitched. Lost Cy Young to David Soul Mike Scott.

Garvey spent his last five years playing with the Padres in this ugly hat. Where is that eraser?? 







Steve - looking good in his logoless blue lid. TV cameo king from the Simpsons to Sean Hannity.  One more reason I don't watch much tv...

Nolan Ryan - where's the beef?  5714 Strike Outs and & No Hitters.
<---- BEEF!







Tony Gwynn - stole five bases in one game in 1986 and won his first Gold Glove.  Not long gone from us. Hats off to you!

The Wizard...played the last half of 86 with a torn rotator cuff. Tuff Stuff!  






Well, there you have it.  From the little candies that melt in your mouth and not on your cards!



11 comments:

  1. Not a set on my radar, but it was nice to see these. I agree with the cropping on the Ripken and Brett cards. I would possibly buy more Panini if they did that now.

    It looks like all these photos were taken in the parking lot after a game by some fan who blindsided them. Maybe I should take my camera to a few games and try to sell some of the photos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great idea! Shouldn't be too hard to throw a set together! Most players seem to care more about the $$ than the end result. Thanks for commenting!

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  2. Has to be one of the worst-looking non-licensed major league sets of all-time. I've seen only the Dodgers (plus whoever is paired up with them) and they turned out pretty good compared to some of the others. Mattingly and Puckett -- there should be lawsuits.

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    Replies
    1. Yep, pretty darn ugly. Gloomy is a better description. I'm really enjoying these oddball sets. The bad photography allows me the opportunity to be harsh and critical. ;)

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  3. Great post. These are so bad they are good!

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    Replies
    1. Hey thanks for commenting! I hope to devote more time to posting as soon as I can get ahead of the clock... These cards are an excellent set for bashing! Not much thought went into the design. Cheaply produced and cheaply obtained!

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  4. I actually own this entire set. Bought two at a flea market for like $3 each.

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    Replies
    1. Great set for $3! If they weren't so ugly, I'd buy another to tear apart for singles. Maybe I'll just disassemble these. I haven't made up my mind yet. Thanks for reading, Tony!

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    2. And that's why I bought two -- ripped one apart, kept the other intact. :-)

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  5. I bought this whole set as a kid at kmart. They came in like a 6 or 12pack packs of m n m's. They were not wrapped just at the bottom of the box I would go move a few packs to see which cards where in it, and got all of them that way they didn't stain cause the candy was in full size packs like you buy at the check stand. I loved building this set. Also nestle stars next few years, and leaf candy set with stars plus special Olympics.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I bought this whole set as a kid at kmart. They came in like a 6 or 12pack packs of m n m's. They were not wrapped just at the bottom of the box I would go move a few packs to see which cards where in it, and got all of them that way they didn't stain cause the candy was in full size packs like you buy at the check stand. I loved building this set. Also nestle stars next few years, and leaf candy set with stars plus special Olympics.

    ReplyDelete