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Best Baseball Set of 1982 - TOPS WINS!

I've seen a lot of countdowns over the years, but never a countdown by year, that reviewed all the sets of each year. We are on to 1982...the Cal Ripken rookie year. Considering all the factors that are involved in creating a set (design, company logo, team name, statistics, inserts, card stock, photography etc), select the best set of the year 1982!

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UPDATED: TOPPS WINS 1982!

Congratulations Topps for winning the 1982 poll!

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Although Topps was not my choice to collect for 1982 (Donruss), Topps was the decisive winner among board members, capturing 68.82% of the vote. If you'd like a complete spreadsheet analysis of how I determined my favorite, just send me a PM and I will email it to you.

Now on to 1983! 1983 poll will follow soon!

Previous poll winners:
1981 - Topps
gordmott144@gmail.com
Collecting PSA Graded Orioles From 1954 to 1980

Comments

  • lawnmowermanlawnmowerman Posts: 19,477 ✭✭✭✭
    I always liked Donruss. I used to spend a week at a time at a friends house during the summer. There was a Circle K convenience store at the end of his block. We used to walk there, buy candy, play video games and when we were done, we would buy packs of Donruss with whatever money we had left.

    Good times image
  • MooseDogMooseDog Posts: 1,946 ✭✭✭
    Also vote for Donruss - when centered.

    Collecting autograph back in those days that was my favorite set to get signed that year. The Fleer looked good when signed but the pictures were really crappy - lot of long and out of focus shots.
  • lawnmowermanlawnmowerman Posts: 19,477 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i> but the pictures were really crappy - lot of long and out of focus shots. >>



    I agree. That was the worst set of '82 for that very reason.
  • itzagoneritzagoner Posts: 8,753 ✭✭
    82T, not only for the awesome Bonner/Schneider RC combo, but the overall design of the set, particularly the rookies, leaders, all-stars and action shots were a dramatic improvement over Topps offerings for baseball the three prior years.
  • I really enjoy the 82 topps set. The design reflects the era in which the cards were released.
  • MphilkingMphilking Posts: 1,570 ✭✭✭
    Fleer. Plain simple no frills.
  • fleer's photos were awful.

    toss up between topps and donruss.
  • Topps Traded

    HK
  • 82 Topps is my favorite design of any set from the 80's. 82 Donruss and Fleer do not even come close.
  • jamesryanbelljamesryanbell Posts: 1,099 ✭✭✭
    Tough call between Donruss and Topps. If I was pressed, I'd say Donruss.
    -- Ryan Bell
  • larryallen73larryallen73 Posts: 6,055 ✭✭✭
    I think '82 Fleer is the year when at least 100 (if not 200) card's photos were taken at Dodger stadium. Not a lot of variety.
  • cardbendercardbender Posts: 1,831 ✭✭
    There should be a fourth choice in this poll : None of the above.
    What a rotten year for Baseball cards. Terrible designs, poor photography, shoddy quality control, etc.....

    Easily the worst year for BB cards in 1980's in my opinion.
    At least Topps did a fine job on their Football issue that year. Terrific design and the team logo's were back in full force again and not air brushed out.
  • ymareaymarea Posts: 1,576 ✭✭✭
    I'd like to answer "Mine!" but that would be bragging. I voted for Topps.
    Brett
  • TJMACTJMAC Posts: 864 ✭✭
    I vote for 82 Topps.
  • I had to go 1982 Topps as well. Fleer's photography sucked and Donruss wasn't very inspired to me, a trend followed up in 1983 with basically the same design only replacing the baseball and bat with a glove and bat. Some of it is nostalgia for me as well since 1982 Topps was the first baseball wax I cracked as a young un'.

    Snorto~
  • Well I built the 82 Topps set in high grade on the PSA Registry, so it gets my vote for best 82 set, and also my favorite set of the 80's.
  • Bump.
    gordmott144@gmail.com
    Collecting PSA Graded Orioles From 1954 to 1980
  • slantycouchslantycouch Posts: 1,704 ✭✭✭
    I've always liked 82 Topps for some reason. Not sure why though.
  • sagardsagard Posts: 1,898 ✭✭✭
    '82 Donruss. They were the only regular issued set to have the best rookie on a full card, and have a full Ripken card as well.
  • My vote is for Topps
    --->imageimageimageimage<---
  • Brian48Brian48 Posts: 2,624 ✭✭✭
    I'm not crazy about the Topps. At one point I can even say I hated it, however I think it's the best of '82 though. It takes the crown by default because both Fleer and Donruss sucked worse. Donruss = boring, weird colors, Fleer = most fuzzy looking set of all time. Pics must have been taken with a 110 pocket camera (at a distance).
  • EstilEstil Posts: 6,866 ✭✭✭✭
    I always liked 1982 Topps personally. I like the different color combinations they used. As awful and fuzzy as the Fleer pics were, I do like the colorful borders and especially the full color sky blue/yellow back. After all, it'd be another six years (1988 Score) before a full color back was tried again for a major set.
    WISHLIST
    Dimes: 54S, 53P, 50P+S, 49S, 45D+S, 44S, 43D, 41S, 40D+S, 39D+S, 38D+S, 37D+S, 36S, 35D+S, all 16-34's
    Quarters: 61D, 52S, 47S, 46S, 40S, 39S, 38S, 37D+S, 36D+S, 35D, 34D, 32D+S
    74 Topps: 37,38,46,47,48,138,151,193,210,214,223,241,256,264,268,277,289,316,435,552,570,577,592,602,610,654,655
    1997 Finest silver: 115, 135, 139, 145, 310
    1995 Ultra Gold Medallion Sets: Golden Prospects, HR Kings, On-Base Leaders, Power Plus, RBI Kings, Rising Stars
  • EstilEstil Posts: 6,866 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>
    Easily the worst year for BB cards in 1980's in my opinion.. >>



    Personally I always thought 1988 was. Sure you had the fantastic 1988 Score set but the other compaines were quite a let down compared to what all three offered (especially Donruss/Fleer) offered the past few years prior.
    WISHLIST
    Dimes: 54S, 53P, 50P+S, 49S, 45D+S, 44S, 43D, 41S, 40D+S, 39D+S, 38D+S, 37D+S, 36S, 35D+S, all 16-34's
    Quarters: 61D, 52S, 47S, 46S, 40S, 39S, 38S, 37D+S, 36D+S, 35D, 34D, 32D+S
    74 Topps: 37,38,46,47,48,138,151,193,210,214,223,241,256,264,268,277,289,316,435,552,570,577,592,602,610,654,655
    1997 Finest silver: 115, 135, 139, 145, 310
    1995 Ultra Gold Medallion Sets: Golden Prospects, HR Kings, On-Base Leaders, Power Plus, RBI Kings, Rising Stars
  • MorgothMorgoth Posts: 3,950 ✭✭✭
    There is no way 82 is worse than 81. The 81 sets are probably the worst sets ever released by all three companies (alright 90-91 Donruss and 91 Fleer still burn my retinas)
    Currently completing the following registry sets: Cardinal HOF's, 1961 Pittsburgh Pirates Team, 1972 Pittsburgh Pirates Team, 1980 Pittsburgh Pirates Team, Bill Mazeroski Master & Basic Sets, Roberto Clemente Master & Basic Sets, Willie Stargell Master & Basic Sets and Terry Bradshaw Basic Set
  • Bleh, Donruss didn't really get their act together until 1984 (though I prefer 85 & 87 over it to be honest). Fleer, man, they didn't get the memo on composition and in-action shots until 1987. Topps at least knew what they were doing in the 80s, barring '88 -- Did they just run out of ideas and someone in the meeting yelled out "plain white border!"

    Must've been the same guy that yelled out "hallucinogenic vomit paint!" for 1990...
    Nolan Ryan & Edgar Martinez are my favorite players...
    image
    mosaic's Nolan Ryan Basic Topps registry set
    mosaic's Big 3 Nolan Ryan Run Showcase
  • MorgothMorgoth Posts: 3,950 ✭✭✭
    Same guy who yelled black and red splatter paint for 1990 Donruss and someone from Coldplay must have been involved in 1991 Fleer.
    Currently completing the following registry sets: Cardinal HOF's, 1961 Pittsburgh Pirates Team, 1972 Pittsburgh Pirates Team, 1980 Pittsburgh Pirates Team, Bill Mazeroski Master & Basic Sets, Roberto Clemente Master & Basic Sets, Willie Stargell Master & Basic Sets and Terry Bradshaw Basic Set
  • My vote is '82 Donruss.........
    and if anyone has any PSA 10's, I'm buying.
    Bill
    wpkoughan@yahoo.com
    Collecting 1970-1979 PSA 9 & 10 Baseball Cards
  • Bump with results.
    gordmott144@gmail.com
    Collecting PSA Graded Orioles From 1954 to 1980
  • I vote Topps.

    However, if you are going to compare the big three, year by year. You should include 2-3 photos of each, showing different designs, and give some plus and minuses.

    For example, you did not show a photo or an 1982 Fleer or Donruss card, did not mention Diamond Kings, or Fleer end of the set cards.

    Clear Skies,
    Mark
    Collecting PSA graded Steve Young, Marcus Allen, Bret Saberhagen and 1980s Topps Cards.
    Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
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