The 1982 Kmart baseball card set was unique as it was one of the only major baseball card releases outside of the ‘Big 3′ card companies of Topps, Fleer and Donruss. At a time when the baseball card market was dominated by these companies, Kmart saw an opportunity to get in on the lucrative hobby by producing its own exclusive set for sale in its stores.
Released in the spring of 1982, the Kmart set featured photos and stats on 132 active major league players from the 1981 season. The design and production values were much different than contemporary Topps and Fleer issue. The cards utilized a simpler rectangular design with a white border and blue team color boxes on the left side rather than the popular borderless or action shot designs of the big brands. Photos tended to be headshots without any colorful uniform or background elements. Stats included were batting average, home runs, RBI and were generally from the previous season only rather than full career stats.
Kmart distributed the cards with gum in wax paper packs like Topps but utilized a unique orange and white color scheme rather than the familiar team colors. Packs retailed for about 35 cents each, making them competitively priced compared to the 50 cent packs from Topps and Fleer available in hobby shops and convenience stores. While not as visually appealing to collectors used to the artistic designs of the big brands, the cards found an audience among kids and adults looking to build sets more affordably at Kmart stores.
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the 1982 Kmart set for completest was its exclusive player content not found in other releases that year. Standout rookie cards included Future Hall of Famers Cal Ripken Jr., Wade Boggs and Rickey Henderson. Other notable rookie inclusions were Steve Sax, Ron Guidry and Dwight Gooden. More established stars like Mike Schmidt, Reggie Jackson and Nolan Ryan also appeared without photo or statistical updates from the prior year’s Topps and Fleer issues, giving the Kmart cards a unique exclusive feel. This helped drive initial sales and interest in pursuing a full 132-card set.
While not endorsed by the MLBPA like the flagship brands, Kmart was still able to utilize team logo licensing, giving the cards an authentic league affiliation. Roster and team changes from 1981 were also accounted for, with players moved to their new clubs for 1982. The lone exception seemed to be a photo mix-up mistakenly showing relief pitcher Jesse Orosco in a Philadelphia Phillies uniform despite being traded to the New York Mets prior to the 1982 season.
While initial distribution was wide through Kmart’s store network, demand far outstripped supply of the discounted packs. The popularity of stars like Ripken and Boggs combined with the accessibility of Kmart locations competing with specialized shops selling baseball cards led to rapid sellouts in many areas. Within a few months of release, it became increasingly difficult to find intact packs on shelves. As a result, the allure and scarcity of the 1982 Kmart set only grew among collectors seeking complete sets or rookie cards of future Hall of Famers.
The lack of extensive print runs compared to the bigger manufacturers also contributed to the cards’ rising collectibility in subsequent years. Despite attempts by Kmart to ramp up production for a 1983 follow-up set, quality control issues and distribution problems prevented another full release. As a true one-year wonder in the baseball card scene, the 1982 Kmart offering became one of the most coveted and valuable sets for vintage collectors to pursue. Prices for sought-after rookie cards and finding unopened mint packs approached or exceeded the same year’s pricier Topps and Fleer issues on the thriving secondary market.
For Kmart, getting into baseball cards proved a profitable but short-lived experiment. Production and licensing headaches combined with the dominance of the major card companies likely soured them on continuing to invest resources into annual sets. Their brief foray left an indelible mark on the hobby. The 1982 Kmart baseball cards remain one of the quirkiest and most desired issues for collectors due to its exclusive content, limited distribution, and status as a true oddball release outside the established brands during the golden age of the sport. Over forty years later, it still captivates collectors chasing the elusive complete 132-card rainbow.
