1986 Fleer Star Stickers

I've been meaning to write about these cards for a while.  I'd say it was back late July that I bought a complete hand-collated set of 1986 Fleer Star Stickers off eBay.  I routinely scour the internet in search of cheap oddball sets like this, and I was lucky to stumble upon this one for about $7 shipped.

It's a good-sized checklist, totalling 132 cards.  All the usual suspects from the mid-1980s are on hand, naturally.  Much like any Fleer issue from this era, the designs and color combinations are kind of dated and, well, interesting.

I thought I'd share my Top 10 favorite cards from the set, in no particular order.  Actually, since Fleer chose to order the checklist alphabetically by last name, I'll do the same.

Jose Canseco, #19

Nice 'stache, Jose!  And might I add that those were some pretty sweet uniform shirts the A's had during this era.

Rod Carew, #20

The great Rod Carew.  Classic on-deck-circle pose, Jheri curl safely tucked under batting helmet.  Life is good.

Steve Carlton, #21

A haggard-looking Lefty waving good-bye to...?  Looks like the section of seating in the blurred background is completely empty.  I know some people despise cards when arms and hands and feet are cut off and out of the photo's frame.  Not me.

Carlton Fisk, #38

From Steve Carlton to Carlton Fisk.  A great action shot of Pudge chasing down a foul pop.  Call me odd, but I'm a big fan of the old ChiSox baseball pants with the number on the, um, pelvic area.

Keith Hernandez, #55

One of two Hernandez's included in this set (pitcher Willie is the other).  I'm probably biased to include this card, because it's a pretty boring shot.  But, Keith is one of my favorite players of all time and his mustache is one of my favorite this side of Tom Selleck.  I was slightly dismayed when Mex shaved his soup strainer last week.  But it was for charity, so that's O.K.

Donnie Moore, #77

Rest in peace, Donnie.  Looks like he was presented with some sort of team award prior to the game.  Lots of good seats to be had in Anaheim, by the way.

Phil Niekro, #82

The great knuckle-baller, captured practicing his baffling craft.  Knucksie went 32-20 in two seasons as a Yankee.  He spun 318 W's during his Hall of Fame career, spanning 24 years.

Jim Rice, #96

Kind of in the same vane as the Carew card, except Rice is striking a pose during batting practice.  Looks like this photo was taken at The Big A.  Perhaps the Donnie Moore trophy presentation game?  Great looking card.

Cal Ripken, Jr., #99

Nothing flashy here, but the Ripken, Jr. batting stance is pretty iconic in my book.  Plus we get the added bonus of Eddie Murray looming in the background.

Darryl Strawberry, #116

They don't make many cards anymore of guys wielding multiple bats, do they?  I guess it's because today's major league ballplayers don't fancy the awkwardness of trying to hold three bats at once.  That's too bad, because this is one of the best poses in baseball card history.  A pose for sluggers.  Only slightly better than the "bat behind the neck and over the shoulders" pose.

Thanks for journeying back into 1986 with me.  You may now return to your regularly scheduled pink chrome refractors and game-used relics...

MK