We would give him our most treasured cards at a shot at one or two singles from that set. I was absolutely devastated that he traded away the Rickey Henderson to my other buddy, but he made it up to me by trading me the Tony Armas and Dwayne Murphy. This was back in the day when quantity meant something to me and two Athletics were better than one.
Fast forward thirty-plus years and I'm still looking for that 1982 Kellogg's Rickey Henderson. I'm sure I'll pick one up sooner or later, since many of these Kellogg's singles are fairly affordable.
Last week, I ordered a bunch of them off of Sportlots and was able to complete a full run of Steve Carlton cards for $13.12 (+ shipping):
Carlton first appeared in a Kellogg's set back in 1973.
1973 Kellogg's #7
Unfortunately that happened to be the one year the company decided to not use the 3D technology that makes these cards so desirable (at least to me).
Kellogg's left him out of their 1974, 1975, and 1976 sets, but made a card for him in 1977. That kicked off a streak of seven straight years of Steve Carlton Kellogg's cards:
1978 Kellogg's #1
During those seven years, the cards varied in card designs and sizes, but Kellogg's made sure to utilize their 3D technology. I thought it would be easy to pick a favorite design, but after a week... I'm still thinking about it.
Unfortunately the company ended the run in 1983 and collectors would have to wait eight years before they produced another baseball card set. However they changed up their checklist and decided to included baseball legends, instead of current players. This allowed Carlton to be featured one last time in a Kellogg's set:
I'll eventually show off some of the other Kellogg's cards I picked up in future posts. But for now, I just wanted to share with you some of the coolest oddball cards ever produced.
Happy Tuesday and sayonara!
18 comments:
Nice run of Lefty cards.
I was lucky in that my mom was sure to buy Kellogg's cereal for us so that I could get those sets. I know I have most of the 1979, 1982, and 1983 sets, but I have only Robin Yount from that 1981 set. I like that one because it's actually a "normal" card size and not those crazy 2/3 size cards that bend in half.
I bought the 1970 and 74 sets mail order. Still have them. Both in mint shape
I had no idea that Carlton rocked a Full Manchu stache in the 70s. That's why I love cardboard. It teaches us so much history.
I honestly have to go on a Kellogg's card binge sometime soon. The best oddballs ever made, I've babbled about them enough, it's time to take action.
They've been popping up around here at shows lately. I've been able to get them anywhere from a dime to a quarter a piece.
I bought the complete '82 set and it's amazing! It's one of those you never get tired of looking.
Great cards!
Just finished building the '76 Kellogg's set. Fairly inexpensive and awfully cool. Over the last few years, I've really fallen for these awesome oddballs.
Sportsflix could never match these old school 3-D cards-I believe the Cardinals refused to sign Carlton over something like $5000. What could have been in the 70s.
I begged my mom to buy me the 1982 mail in set... but I never got my wish. I can't complain too much. Mama Fuji was always picking me up packs of cards here and there throughout my childhood.
Nice. Can't imagine how much these go for nowadays.
I know right. It's just one of the many perks of collecting cardboard.
Check out Sportlots. There are several vendors who sell singles starting at 18¢ each.
I'd be all over them for that price.
Totally agree. Like Night Owl said... best oddball ever made.
Congratulations! Maybe one of these days, I'll start a Kellogg's project and build all of those sets.
Wow. $5000? That's very unfortunate. But it sure put a lot of smiles on faces of Phillies fans.
Thanks!
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