BY MARK A. LARSON
It used to be the pink slabs of bubblegum that came with baseball cards were actually the main reason most people bought them. The cards were the bonus, while the gum was the main product. Of course, today it’s the opposite – bubblegum is an afterthought. And since 1981, only Topps has been legally able to issue baseball cards with bubblegum. (I must admit, chewing a Fleer sticker or Donruss puzzle piece is not the most enjoyable of activities.) Yet there was that one glorious year – 1981 – when all three major card companies issued bubblegum with their products. Since bubblegum has played such an important role in the development of our hobby, I feel it is only fair to review the virtues and drawbacks of each companies’ gum
TOPPS: “The Real One’s” baseball card gum is not what I would describe as a culinary delight. It shouldn’t even be called “bubble” gum because it’s really impossible to blow bubbles with it. The gum loses its flavor quickly and often is brittle – even when purchased early in the season. Baseball card gum from Topps is the bottoms.
FLEER: “Melts in your mouth, not in your hand.” That’s the slogan of M&Ms candy, but it could also apply to Fleer’s baseball card bubblegum. This gum literally disappears in your mouth, which can have its advantages. You don’t have to find a desk or table to stick it under when you’re done. And how about its bubble-blowing power? You’ve got to be joking!
DONRUSS: Oh, how I miss Donruss bubble gum. It tasted the best. You could blow bubbles as big as your face with it. And it seemed to have longer staying power. In other words, the taste didn’t leave as soon as it hit your mouth. If I had one wish, it would be for Donruss gum to return. It was soooooooo good.
That’s it. The great connoisseur of baseball card bubblegum has spoken.
• • • • • •
• Originally Published in Mar. 1985 “Twin Times” •
THIS ARTICLE FROM THE “TWIN TIMES” NEWSLETTER – OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TWIN CITIES SPORTS COLLECTORS CLUB – IS REPRINTED WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR. IT HAS BEEN RETYPED, BUT NO CONTENT HAS BEEN CHANGED (EXCEPT FOR VERY MINOR ADJUSTMENTS, CORRECTIONS TO ANY TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS AND THE ADDITION OF GRAPHICS). COMMENTS OR INFORMATION IN THE ARTICLE MAY BE OUT-OF-DATE.
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