I just realized this year (2007) is the 50th anniversary of a very important baseball card event

Estil

I just realized this year (2007) is the 50th anniversary of a very important baseball card event. Whoever correctly guesses what happened 50 years ago that changed the hobby forever will get a special surprise.

Stingray

Topps went to the regular size baseball card that we have today!!

Bigstep

Topps changed card size.

Rich

Estil

<< <i>Topps went to the regular size baseball card that we have today!! >>



Very good; here's your surprise:

*hands tray of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies*

Stingray

Will they be fresh when they arrive??

Estil

<< <i>Will they be fresh when they arrive?? >>



That's why I'm giving them to you virtually.

Anyhoo, as a bonus question, next year is the tenth anniversary of another major change in the hobby, only this time it was a more "negative" change. Name it.

rrpb76

a. [Chrome] Foil Refractors ? [no that was 1996]
b. Game used inserts ?

Estil

Nope, try again. Game used inserts began in 1997, BTW.

Leiascards

1998 was the first year that most major card companies started short printing rookie cards in their base sets.

Estil

Okay, you get half credit for that (but did anyone outside of Fleer or Ultra do SPs within the base set?). But there's also something else.

CDsNuts

Stingray, I don't think you're actually gonna get cookies. What a gyp.

Estil

Okay, since everyone gives up, 1998 marks the final year for Pinnacle Brands as well as Donruss baseball (though it did try a comeback in 2001-05). That is, the 1980s (1981-88) marks the era of the "Big Three", the 1990s (1989-98) marks the era of the "Big Five" (I don't count Pacific as a "major player"). After 1998, you had just Fleer, Topps, and Upper Deck. And of course, after 2005, Donruss baseball (but not football) went under and Fleer was bought out by Upper Deck. So now we're down to just "the Big Two".