An Obsession with the Underdog: 1963 Fleer Edition

From 1952-1962 Topps was standing alone on top of the baseball card world with no other company in the market.

*Hmm, this sounds familiar*

Some new wipper-snapper of a company came along in '61 and '62, but they weren't making a huge splash, only producing cards of retired legends and greats.

But then, in 1963 that company produced a set featuring modern players which became a huge hit and remains so today.

That company was Fleer.



Instead of packaging the cards with gum, as Topps became famous for, Fleer wrapped their cards around a cookie!

A fucking cookie!!! How awesome is that!?!? Was it chocolate chip? Or oatmeal, or snicker-doodle or...

Sorry, got excited.

After releasing the first series (67 cards) Fleer was on top of the world!!!!







Until Topps sued them. Then they were pretty much back down to the bottom, not to see light again until 1981.

So 67 cards is where '63 Fleer would stay at. With their fair share of stars (Brooks Robinson, Willie Mays, Carl Yastrzemski, Sandy Koufax, Roberto Clemente, Don Drysdale and Warren Spahn)
and a very pleasing design you'd think that was where the craziness would end.



Oh no, not yet.

Maury Wills has his Rookie Card featured in the set!!!!


















Keeping in mind Wills started his career in 1959, that makes things a little strange. Legend has it that Topps didn't feel Wills was worthy of his own card until he won the MVP in '62. Topps quickly came knocking on his door and he told them to do some things to themselves. He gave Fleer the go in '63 but keep giving Topps the proverbial middle finger until '67 when he got his first Topps card.

Due to the small set size, most teams have only 3 or 4 cards each. But as I found out when putting together the Mets set, they are not that easy to obtain. These were the guys I needed:

47 Roger Craig

48 Al Jackson

49 Rod Kanehl

"Shouldn't be too big of a task" I thought.

Fuck me I was wrong. Even the "commons'' sell pretty well and if you've got a star to chase after, good luck to you! All in all, it's a beautiful set with a great feel and great history behind it.

(...Joe)