For decades, baseball cards have served as cherished collectibles for kids and adults alike, preserving memories of favorite players and historic teams. There is another niche within the hobby that celebrates a different side of the national pastime – outsiders baseball cards. Rather than featuring prominent major leaguers, outsiders cards immortalize individuals who existed on the fringes of organized ball or never made it past amateur ranks.
Origins of the Concept
The idea of outsiders cards arose in the 1980s as the hobby experienced a massive boom, spawning growth in niche subsets. Some collectors began seeking more obscure subjects that represented untold stories from baseball’s vast history. One of the first outsider profiles came in 1986 from Donruss, depicting Fred “Crime Dog” Carlton, a legendary softball slugger. This helped validate interest in personalities beyond MLB.
It was California card maker TCMA that is widely credited with establishing the modern outsiders genre in 1991. Their “World Unknown Baseball Stars” series profiled dozens of interesting characters like Longboard Willie, a Hawaiian surfer who tried out for the Dodgers in the 1950s. As word spread of these unique bios, other companies entered the scene to help expand outsiders territory.
Profiled Individuals: The Good, the Bad, and the Bizarre
Over the past 30+ years, outsiders cards have run the gamut, honoring both uplifting figures and controversial ones. Examples include:
Nick Altrock: A popular deadball era player/manager known for zany antics like wearing a dress on the bench.
Turk Farrell: The real-life inspiration behind the 1988 film “Bull Durham,” his card highlights his career in the minors.
Eddie Feigner: Often called the “Sultan of Swat,” he led the legendary King and His Court exhibition softball team.
Moe Berg: A major leaguer who later worked for the OSS, his intrigue made him a natural outsiders subject.
Pete Gray: The one-armed outfielder profiled in a 1963 Sports Illustrated article, his lone MLB season was remarkable.
Ray Chapman: His 1920 beaning death is infamous, honoring his legacy outside typical rookie cards.
Not all outsiders are feel-good stories. Cards have focused on the controversial likes of:
Dock Ellis: The LSD no-hitter pitcher had a checkered career and post-career legal issues.
Shoeless Joe Jackson: One of the most famous figures banned from MLB due to the Black Sox scandal.
Bobby Thompson: Had a big HR but also ties to organized crime and the numbers racket.
Then there are simply bizarre subjects like former sideshow attraction “Fee Fee the Strong Man” and “Swamp Monster” Bob Zych, an El Paso pitcher with an almost inhuman 8-foot wingspan. Outsiders aim to celebrate history in all its rich complexity.
Production and Collecting Outsiders Cards Today
While early outsiders producers tended to be smaller, independent operations, larger companies now often dedicate specificsubsets within their standard release lines. Companies make outsiderscards frequently available in their annual sets or produce dedicated standalone series focusing on unique biographies.
Popular contemporary manufacturers creating outsiders cards include Topps, Upper Deck, Leaf, Donruss and TCMA. Production values are on par with standard issues. Digital platforms also allow for limitless potential subjects through services like Steiner Sports Memorabilia.
For collectors, outsiders lines offer a niche that combines alternative history education with the fun of hunting unique bios and visuals. While standard cards focus on elite players, outsiders represent “trivia night” depths of baseball archives. Whether sought after individually or collected as a themed subset, outsiders cards remain among the hobby’s most distinctive corners. They continue illuminating untold stories that enrich appreciation for America’s pastime from all perspectives.
Collecting outsiders today remains a driving force keeping baseball’s rich history alive. Through cards profiling atypical figures, the oft-forgotten tales they symbolize endure. While mainstream stars will always have legions of dedicated fans, outsiders cards celebrate the game in all of its humanity – the superstars alongside those who never quite made it, but still treasured every moment on the diamond. That inclusive spirit is what keeps the outsiders community vibrant after three decades.
