A FF article I'm in !!

1989FleerBillRipkencollector · September 14, 2006 11:09PM

Dont mean to toot my own horn,but this is a collection I really enjoy and now I'm in print.

My Article

baseballfanatic · September 14, 2006 11:15PM

Congrats Donovan!

Heres a question for you. I have heard many reasons behind the "true story" of the actual picture. It was rumored that one of his teammates was playing a prank on him and wrote that on the knob, never actually realizing it would appear on his card, but I have also heard that Ripken did it himself because the wording is perfect on the end of the bat to be read. Odds are when picking up a bat the words would have been upside down or sideways, but it just seems kinda weird that the words are perfect to be read by someone looking at the picture. What have you heard or what is the actual truth behind it?

1989FleerBillRipkencollector · September 14, 2006 11:31PM

I have no proof on what really happened. I have tons of proof on other issues related to the card but this big money shot....nope.

What I know....

1.)Heard usual...Prank,blah blah. Common Fleer lawyer story? If so where did bat go? Never was seen again. Never. Hmm.

2.)Heard from a CU member actually that he received a email that was sent from a Fleer exec. to his friend that admitted it was done by Fleer intentionally. I have no proof of this

3.)A few printers and other people with similar knowledge (Talent Scout who used to be in card printing,ex. SCD editor ect. ) have told me the writing appears to have been written after photo was taken.

I honestly feel that based on..

1988 was a bad year for profit in the card business
Word Placement is too perfect
Fleer made over a dozen corrections. A dozen !! They saw cut over 5 versions. Why? The saw cut was meant to mark the FF card to easily identify,pull and destroy. Why mark a corrected version? To keep it interesting?

It could just be a coincidence.

Until I get a email from Lloyd,Donald or some other ex. Fleer honcho I can only speculate. I also have been close to talking to Fleer employees from then but no cigar, yet.

Donovan
Looking for the FF

baseballfanatic · September 14, 2006 11:38PM

Wow. If its number 3. why did Fleer choose poor Billy Ripken? Maybe Fleer was trying to cash in on Topps Al Leiter and Keith Comstock variations that seemed to carry their 1988 set? Have to admit that the card made Fleer fly off of the shelves.........

Stingray · September 14, 2006 11:45PM

I have always wondered if Fleer did not put that FF on there themselfs digitally somehow. If you look at the one with the FF on the bottom of the bat, you can see a lighter color (white almost just under were the writing is) and not on the other part of the knob of the bat. It looks as though too, that maybe someone wrote it on some type of tape and place it on the bottom of the bat??

mercurynut · September 14, 2006 11:58PM

262Runner · September 15, 2006 12:05AM

I have a saw cut I pulled from a pack a few years ago. I opened about 6 boxes from one source, this was the only Saw cut card, all the others were Black Box versions.

Does PSA grade the Saw Cut version?

262

mikeschmidt · September 15, 2006 12:20AM

<< I have a saw cut I pulled from a pack a few years ago. I opened about 6 boxes from one source, this was the only Saw cut card, all the others were Black Box versions.

Does PSA grade the Saw Cut version?

262 >>

No - there is no way to accurately tell if the saw cut was performed by the factory of by someone else. Unless you have a certified, unopened rack or cello pack with a saw cut on top, it is easy to argue that anyone could have saw cut the card, not Fleer-

~ms

gosteelers · September 15, 2006 12:38AM

'89 Guy,
I give you major credit for sticking to your passion after all of these years. That's what this hobby is all about!

Dallas88 · September 15, 2006 12:41AM

Donovan,

I believe I remember you popping up on the ebay board about a year? ago, asking about these variations....I thought you were a goof!

Gotta tell you the story is cool, and congrats for the collection!

I apologize for the "goof" notation, over a year ago!

Best regards

Dal

1989FleerBillRipkencollector · September 15, 2006 12:58AM

<< I have a saw cut I pulled from a pack a few years ago. I opened about 6 boxes from one source, this was the only Saw cut card, all the others were Black Box versions.

Does PSA grade the Saw Cut version?

262 >>

Only company that grades the saw cuts is GAI (minus GEM and the like) I have worked with them for a while now grading/labeling versions correctly. They are the only company that I have found willing to do this.

baseballfanatic-Leiter/Comstock was Topps in 88.
why Billy? I dont know wht he would be a choice. Goof ball looking guy,low profile with big last name, really dont know why.

gosteelers-Mercury-Thank You

Dallas-No problem with the "goof" remark. My first post on the Beckett Board about this card landed me some very rude comments. Ones saying I am making up versions and when is my one page book coming out,so they can save up ect. I expect (as one here says) a reasonable amount of trouble. Most wonder what do I care when this is long passed,uncertain future value ect.. Honestly I esed to collect vinatge unopened,tobacco cards,gamble on new packs but never found my niche. Well this is definately it as I really enjoy the hobby now. Plus the chics....I have to fight 'em off with a stick. Just kidding. (In case my wife sees this. lol) Some of my "FF friends" have encountered some very rude comments as well. Honestly why they have a problem with what I collect is beyond me. The "goof" remark is not harmful at all.

RipublicaninMass · September 15, 2006 1:24AM

Also I have seen in price guides a "rick face" variation!!!

1966CUDA · September 15, 2006 1:39AM

I'm pretty sure I also saw a minor league card of Billy with something like that on his bat in the photo? Anyone else see that?

Ripken · September 15, 2006 2:01AM

Pretty funny how crude card making was..even as late as it was in the game for Fleer in '89. With Fleer out of business, I'm surprised more employees in the know haven't come forward--even anonymously--with what really went on during that winter/spring. I'd love to hear from one of them via PM and do an update on this piece.

NYYDM23 · September 15, 2006 2:26AM

That is great. Good for you man

Ironmanfan · September 15, 2006 2:44AM

Billy Ripken stated on an interview on XM's "Baseball This AM" show back in May that he (admittingly) had that FF notation on one of his BP bats to distinguish it from other players bats as well as his own "gamer" bats. He said he had been doing this practice (putting FF on his BP bats) for a few years at that point and the Fleer Photographer simply snapped hs picture during BP at a game in Fenway park in 1988. It wasn't intentional & it WASN'T added by Fleer after the fact. Now whether Fleer caught it during production and let if fly for publicity is another story....

1989FleerBillRipkencollector · September 15, 2006 4:28AM

<< I'm pretty sure I also saw a minor league card of Billy with something like that on his bat in the photo? Anyone else see that? >>

Me. Im pretty sure that card is on our site. It is nothing. See Jim Nettles 1990 Pacific Senior. His knob says something.

R

Ironmanfan · September 15, 2006 4:37AM

I have an uncut sheet of those fake B&W "test" cards

1989FleerBillRipkencollector · September 15, 2006 7:26AM

<< I have an uncut sheet of those fake B&W "test" cards >>

I think we have spoke before. The 4 card sheets? If so can I get a pic? To post on our website. Since a certain fake Whiteout seller is off ebay now I have time to tackle the B/W sellers. I approach every auction and bidder, and usually get some nasty responses. Even when I send scan of SCD article about the card being fake !!! Last guy said the person he bought his from in 89 had a huge qty. and off the whole set ?!

1989FleerBillRipkencollector · September 15, 2006 7:28AM

<< I have always wondered if Fleer did not put that FF on there themselfs digitally somehow. If you look at the one with the FF on the bottom of the bat, you can see a lighter color (white almost just under were the writing is) and not on the other part of the knob of the bat. It looks as though too, that maybe someone wrote it on some type of tape and place it on the bottom of the bat?? >>

I agree. I have thought about that color difference ALOT. It is real similar to the color tehy used on teh white scribble version. Unsure of what it is but definately a different color that appears "painted" or something,just not normal.

jmbkb4 · September 16, 2006 1:39PM

<< '89 Guy,
I give you major credit for sticking to your passion after all of these years. That's what this hobby is all about! >>

Agreed!!!

Mark, I will miss you in the 1993 Refs circuit!!!!

Tedw9 · September 16, 2006 9:33PM

Quick question about the FF card. Do you happen to know what version is more common in the factory sets? I used to own a set and I believe it had the black box version. I have another set but haven't cracked it yet and was just curious to know which one was in it.

1989FleerBillRipkencollector · September 17, 2006 3:05AM

<< Quick question about the FF card. Do you happen to know what version is more common in the factory sets? I used to own a set and I believe it had the black box version. I have another set but haven't cracked it yet and was just curious to know which one was in it. >>

I have only heard of Black Box being pulled from factory sets. I have a article or two that states you will only get the Black Box as well. Most likely they were packaged at end of print run when BBox was made. I have pulled a FF saw cut in a BBox rack case so anythings possible. A few ebay sellers of 89 Fleer sets claim they have pulled other versions, hmm..

A FF article I'm in !!

Comments