The 1963 post cereal baseball card inserts were included in boxes of Kellogg’s cereals like Corn Flakes, Bran Flakes, and All-Bran during that season. These cardboard collectibles featured individual player photos on the front with short bios on the back. The complete 1963 post cereal baseball cards checklist contained 74 total cards celebrating baseball greats from both the American and National Leagues.
Some of the biggest names to be included in the 1963 post cereal baseball card series were Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Sandy Koufax, and Mickey Mantle. Aaron had just hit his first of a record 30+ home runs in 1962 with the Milwaukee Braves so he was one of the more popular cards that year. Mays, the Say Hey Kid, was in his prime with the San Francisco Giants racking up MVP awards and Gold Gloves. Clemente was an emerging star for the Pittsburgh Pirates while Koufax and Mantle were legends for the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees, respectively.
In addition to the superstars, the 1963 post baseball cards featured up and coming young players as well as established veterans. Cardinals pitcher Bob Gibson, who would go on to win the 1964 World Series MVP, was included just after his breakout season. White Sox first baseman Don Mincher made the cut after a 30 home run year in 1962. Other notable rookies on the checklist included Pete Rose of the Reds and Dick Radatz of the Red Sox, who would become one of the first dominant relief pitchers. Veteran hurlers like Early Wynn, Bob Veale, and Camilo Pascual also earned spots on 1964 post cards after solid careers.
The 1963 set was divided evenly between the National and American Leagues with 37 cards dedicated to the NL and 37 for the AL. All 16 MLB teams at the time were represented. The Cincinnati Reds, who won the 1961 and 1962 NL pennants, led the National League portion of the checklist with five total players featured including Frank Robinson, Vada Pinson, and Wally Post in addition to Rose and Bob Purkey. Catching up to the dominant Reds was the Giants and Dodgers with four cards apiece highlighting their stars like Mays, Marichal, Koufax, and Drysdale.
In the American League portion of the 1963 post baseball cards, the reigning 1962 AL champion New York Yankees predictably had the most representatives with six. In addition to Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, and Tony Kubek, lesser known Yankees like Hank Bauer, Marshall Bridges, and Jim Bouton earned spots. The Minnesota Twins, coming off back-to-back AL pennants in 1961-1962, placed four players on the checklist headlined by Twins greats like Harmon Killebrew and Camilo Pascual. Other AL clubs like the Orioles and Indians each saw three of their players featured.
The 1963 Post Cereal baseball card inserts provided a snapshot of America’s pastime at that moment in the early 1960s. From established veterans continuing their careers to young future stars just beginning, the checklist reflected the balance of experience and emerging talent that defined baseball during that era. For collectors and fans, the cards served as an affordable way to learn about players across the major leagues and admire the photos of legends like Mays, Aaron, and Mantle included in boxes of their favorite breakfast cereals. Six decades later, the 1963 Post cards remain a noteworthy part of baseball and collectibles history from that storied period of the national pastime.
