1970's Swingin' Oakland A's in 3-D

Over at The Chronicles of Fuji, my fellow blogger waxed on about his favorite player RICKEY HENDERSON. The 1980's found the hobby a growing monster of collecting madness. Every entrepreneur was getting in the act of baseball trinkets. 

This medallion coin was produced for Rickey Henderson breaking Lou Brock's base stealing record.

This reminded me of my affinity for the 1970's Oakland A's - a team filled with some of the best names ever printed on baseball cards - Rollie Fingers, Vida Blue and "Blue Moon" Odom to mention a few.

But besides the cardboard cards, there was the mornings with the cereal box and 3-D cards.

Part of my collection included these favorites made for the KELLOGG'S breakfast company:

1970 Kellogg's - REGGIE JACKSON

After featuring Hall of Famer REGGIE JACKSON in Kellogg's debut, the 1971 set was oddly devoid of any the stars that would be part of the A's three World Series (1972-1975).

1971 Kellogg's  - PAT DOBSON - how Pat made it into this set while Jackson was left out is curious. It must be based on his career high 16 wins in 1970.

1971 Kellogg's - DON MINCHER - his 5th year reaching 20 or more HRs made Don a star for the Kellogg's set. He hit 27 HRs, a career high, in 1970.

1971 Kellegg's - FILIPE ALOU - Filipe would not even finish the 1971 season as an "Oakland Athletic" before being traded to the Yankees. 

1971 Kellogg's - RICK MONDAY - made his fame with another California team, playing 3 World Series with the L.A. Dodgers (1977, 1978, 1981).

1972 Kellogg's - VIDA BLUE - the reigning Cy Young winner and A.L. Most Valuable Player.

1974 Kellogg's - REGGIE JACKSON - MVP season

1974 Kellogg's - "CATFISH" HUNTER - won 21 games for the 3rd season running. This was the middle of 5 consecutive 20 win seasons. Hall of Fame in 1987.   

1975 Kellogg's - REGGIE JACKSON - always looked good in the green and gold. But would soon be a Baltimore Oriole (not a great look).

Great cereal. Great cards. Great memories.

Food for Thought ... Part 1

Back in the old school days, we were instructed about the 4 food groups for balanced meals. Most of followed the "C" method. I "see it", I want it, I eat it.

We were, however, smart enough to begin the day with a good breafast. And what was more American than cereal ?

Kellogg's baseball cards made my mornings grrrrrrreat - especially when we got down far enough into the box to get the baseball card within. (no we didin't cheat by dumping it into a big bowl and picking out the prize - then putting it all back.) We stared at the back of the box for about a week while spooning down our grains.

Kellogg's provided us with almost a decade and a half (1970-1983) of 3-D graphic cards. (except for 1973 - they misplaced a dimention somewhere)


When Kellogg's reign of delight came to an end in 1983, the void was filled with a rather cheap replacement of Ralston Purina cards in the mid-1980s. However, it was hard to escape the checkerboard which reminded us that our pet cats and dogs ate their products too !


For those with the more exquisit taste, the 1990s gave us Jimmy Dean cards that came with the breakfast sausages. There were of course other 90s breakfast issues like the Post cereal sets as well. (see part 2)

For the luch time crowd, some round ball came in the form of Skippy Peanutbutter lids. A nice change of advertising pitches. Here Derek Jeter gets in your face friendly with a jar.

Candy, gum and cookies have been staples for giving away cards from the 1950s and after. A different twist came in the form of these 1970 Milk Duds boxes. Pete Rose's card indicated his league leading hits.

For the real junk food junkers - Hostess was the devil's advocate - twinkies, ho-hos and various other delights to sweeten the fact that you got a panel of 3 cards on their boxes. Hostess baseball cards were distributed from 1975 to 1979. These, to me are only second to the Kellogg product in eye appeal.

Now that you have had lunch ... we will continue with dinner next time.