That also happens to be the place where I have a bunch of boxes stuffed with sports and sports card magazines. Besides Sports Illustrated, not to mention a select few from ESPN and The Sporting News, I've accumulated a nice number of back issues of Beckett (mostly baseball)--which I shamefully admit I used to buy for the pricing as much as the articles, though I've since learned my lesson!--and Tuff Stuff, along with other miscellaneous examples. I was paring these down during the cleaning process when I started flipping through some copies of a long-defunct publication: Sports Cards.
I can't remember how long I subscribed to or bought single issues of Sports Cards, but at the time of its existence I relished reading almost everything I could about the hobby. At this point in my adult life, I was preparing to chuck a bunch of those issues, mainly based on the cover subject, when I noticed something striking at the top of several copies, one of which was this very version. "FREE INSIDE!" it blared. "EXCLUSIVE 6-CARD SET FROM FLEER!" Well I certainly remembered receiving free promos and samples from many of these old magazines, especially Tuff Stuff, but my mind drew a blank on this one. And that brings us to the subject of today's post.
Back in 2001, Sports Cards and Fleer got together to produced six six-card sheets done in the style of the latter's 2000 Greats of the Game set, this time featuring modern stars. Each month you got one sheet (perforated, naturally, for "easy" removal, though the cards themselves aren't separated) of stars in alphabetical order (mostly). The backs of the cards featured the player's 2000 stats plus a LOT of blank space. What was cool, though, was that up top you could see the previous and future months' cards thanks to a handy checklist.
I've always been a fan of the GotG set, especially the 2000 version, and since some of my favorite players are included, I really had fun rediscovering these cards, so naturally the first thing I wanted to do was show them off to you guys! Here they are, all six sheets featuring 36 Fleer/Sports Cards "exclusive" cards from 2000:
I didn't feel like scanning all six backs since they're not especially interesting, but did include one for the sake of completeness:
So what do y'all think? Yay or nay on this set? Ever find anything interesting like this lurking in your basements? Did anybody else collect collecting magazines and dig up gems like these?
I LOVE this set - the actual one. It's one of those I am slowly trying to build, mainly viz dime box finds. They did a fine job replicating the look (on the front at least) or the cards.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's just an all-around gorgeous set! If you put together a wantlist sometime I may be able to help you with a few, just let me know.
DeleteHuge collector of sports card magazines. I'm always on the lookout for 90's issues... it's like traveling back in time. As for these card sheets, I love them. Oddballs have always been one of my favorite things to collect. Nice find.
ReplyDeleteI used to collect quite a few of them, and I still have all my old Becketts, from subscriptions and back issues, because at one point I was trying to get the whole run. I do miss the days when they'd include cool sample and oddball stuff. Thanks for looking!
DeleteI'm digging them cards!
ReplyDeleteCheck out Tony Gwynn lookin' svelte.
Well, the camera adds like 30 pounds, right? Can't go wrong with 2000 GotG in any form!
DeleteLike you, I have most of that stuff tucked away in corners where ever I can find a space!
ReplyDeleteI love the odd ball collectibles also.
Cool, I hope to see some of that stuff on your blog sometime. Speaking of which, I do have a nice number of Pinnacle Inside cans, so if you're on the lookout for them (and maybe have a wantlist) let me know!
DeleteI think this set is universally loved, except, you know, by communists.
ReplyDeleteI never find cool stuff like that in my basement. All cool cards are present and accounted for. If I find anything in my basement that I didn't know about, it's probably something I don't want to know.
I don't know, I think Communists would appreciate that it's red and freely available to all.
DeleteAnd finding stuff like this is a blast, but indicative that I have way too much unorganized crap as well.