The 1966 Fleer baseball card set was the third issued by Fleer after their entry into the baseball card marketplace in 1963. After struggling to gain traction in their first two years, Fleer delivered an innovative and influential set in 1966 that helped put them on the map as a competitor to Topps. The 1966 issue contained 420 individual cards and was significant both for several “firsts” it achieved as well as highlighting some of the biggest stars and stories in baseball at the time.
One of the major differences Fleer brought to baseball cards in 1966 was photo variations on certain player cards. Up to this point, the standard practice was for every card of a particular player to use the same photo. Fleer changed that by including two or more different action shots of many players in their 1966 set. This resulted in certain stars having considerably more valuable and sought after “photo variation” cards. Players featured in this way included Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax, and Roberto Clemente among many others. Collectors began paying close attention not just to the players but the photos on the cards which increased intrigue and chase value.
Another significant difference was Fleer’s usage of color photography on many cards for the first time. While still primarily using black and white images, their color photos stood out and added greater visual appeal. Superstar Cardinals pitcher Bob Gibson was famously featured on one of the most dramatic color cards showing him mid-windup. The usage of today’s digital color on cards was still almost 25 years away, but Fleer helped take the hobby in a more life-like direction.
The 336 regular issue players cards were joined by 34 checklist cards, 34 manager/coach cards, and 16 “Twin Foldout” cards which featured large color action shots of two players on foldable panels. Four league leader statistical cards featuring the top five leaders in various categories like batting average and ERA also rounded out the comprehensive set. No player rookies were included but this was actually Fleer’s first inclusion of any retired players with legends Cy Young and Honus Wagner honored in the set in addition to the active rosters.
One of the biggest storylines of the 1966 season was the “Pitcher’s Duel” between future Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Their on-field performances and contractual tactics working as a combined business entity made headlines. Fleer acknowledged this headline event with a special “Dodgers Pitching Quartet” card featuring a posed photo of Koufax, Drysdale, Don Sutton, and Claude Osteen, further cementing it as a seminal moment.
The National League had lots of exciting talent vying for supremacy in 1966 as well. The aging but still dominant Milwaukee Braves featuring future Hall of Famers Hank Aaron and Eddie Mathews were still competing with the rising San Francisco Giants of Willie Mays and Juan Marichal. The powerful Cincinnati Reds lineup led by Frank Robinson, Vada Pinson and Tony Perez were battling the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers. In the American League, future Hall of Famer Frank Robinson had just been traded to the Baltimore Orioles prior to the 1966 season while fellow HOF’ers Carl Yastrzemski and Tony Oliva were leading their respective Red Sox and Twins clubs.
The 1966 season marked several notable career milestones as well. Future Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente collected his 2000th and final hit that would later help elect him to Cooperstown. Braves legend Hank Aaron began his assault on Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record, hitting 39 dingers in ’66 while accumulating 713 for his career at season’s end. Dodgers fireballer Sandy Koufax won his third Cy Young award behind a 27-9 record and a 1.73 ERA at age 30 before abruptly retiring after the season.
Fleer continued to bring innovations in 1966 as they strived to compete with industry leader Topps. They delivered a visually appealing set with highlights of the game’s top stars and key moments that expanded the reach of the hobby. While still not regarded as the premier brand yet, their focus on variations, color, stats, and retired legends helped elevate their status among collectors. The 1966 Fleer set proved influential as the manufacturer aimed to capture more market share through progressive initiatives that entertained and informed fans. It remains an iconic issue within the vintage era that exemplifies the creative spirit that has long defined the competitive baseball card industry.
