Topps Quality Commentary: I was a serious young collector in the mid '70's. The quality of the cardboard Topps used seemed to drop off after the 1975 set. From 1976 on the cards would curve a little bit after months standing up in a box. The quality of the card design also fell off . . . a matter of opinion of course, but every set through 1975 seemed to have a more striking and original design - probably aided by the quality of the cardboard. From 1976 on the card designs seemed far more repetitive and similar. I like the 1978 set best for post-'75 Topps cards. But it was the 1987 Fleer set that really upped the game.
The Topps brown mush was an ever-present part of the last seven years of my childhood (beginning in 1983). I loved the 1987 Fleer design when it came out, partly because it was *impossible* to find anywhere near where I lived, including the cities. The first couple of Fleer and Donruss sets were rough, then Fleer started trying new things in 1983. Donruss jumped their quality forward (and cut their production -- at least apparently) in 1984, and we were off to the races.
I like positivity, and I can say Burt "Happy" Hooten was the biggest baseball autograph jerk ever. Between the ages of 9 to 14, my parents would drive us to Pittsburgh, stay at the Hilton and I would get autographs. When I ask "Happy" for an autograph, he simply looked at me like I was a piece of doo doo in his swimming pool, smirked and turned his head. On the other hand, Steve Garvey was the nicest guy ever!
Hooton pitched for the Rangers in the first game I ever attended. I wrote about it in my first real post for Powder Blue Nostalgia.
Topps Quality Commentary: I was a serious young collector in the mid '70's. The quality of the cardboard Topps used seemed to drop off after the 1975 set. From 1976 on the cards would curve a little bit after months standing up in a box. The quality of the card design also fell off . . . a matter of opinion of course, but every set through 1975 seemed to have a more striking and original design - probably aided by the quality of the cardboard. From 1976 on the card designs seemed far more repetitive and similar. I like the 1978 set best for post-'75 Topps cards. But it was the 1987 Fleer set that really upped the game.
The Topps brown mush was an ever-present part of the last seven years of my childhood (beginning in 1983). I loved the 1987 Fleer design when it came out, partly because it was *impossible* to find anywhere near where I lived, including the cities. The first couple of Fleer and Donruss sets were rough, then Fleer started trying new things in 1983. Donruss jumped their quality forward (and cut their production -- at least apparently) in 1984, and we were off to the races.
I like positivity, and I can say Burt "Happy" Hooten was the biggest baseball autograph jerk ever. Between the ages of 9 to 14, my parents would drive us to Pittsburgh, stay at the Hilton and I would get autographs. When I ask "Happy" for an autograph, he simply looked at me like I was a piece of doo doo in his swimming pool, smirked and turned his head. On the other hand, Steve Garvey was the nicest guy ever!
Interesting to get insight into how players interact with fans. I have no firsthand experience with either of these guys — thanks for chiming in!