Baseball cards have long been a source of nostalgia and collectability for fans of America’s pastime. But alongside the stats and photos on the front of these cardboard collectibles lies another tradition – the punny jokes and wordplay found on the backs of baseball cards. From the earliest days of the modern baseball card era that began in the late 1800s through today, card companies have had some fun coming up with corny puns and plays on words related to players’ names and stats. Here we take an in-depth look at the history of these baseball card back puns and some of the best examples over the decades.
One of the earliest known uses of a baseball card pun dates back to the late 1800s tobacco era when companies like Allen & Ginter and Old Judge included stats and information about players on the backs of their cigarette cards. A 1886 Old Judge card for player Dave Orr includes the line “Orr he goes, hitting the ball for extra bases” playing on Orr’s last name. Through the early 20th century as baseball cards transitioned away from tobacco inserts and to standalone collectibles, the punny tradition continued. A 1909-11 T206 card of pitcher Rube Marquard features the back saying “What the fans most admire is the way the Rube has curbed his wildness.”
The golden age of the punny baseball card back really took off in the post-World War 2 era as the modern mass-produced cardboard card became mainstream. In the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s companies like Topps, Fleer and Donruss had fields of day with all kinds of wordplay related to players’ names. A 1959 Topps card of pitcher Jim Perry states “Jim pitches for winning, that’s why they call him ‘Gentleman Jim'” playing on his nickname. A 1966 Topps card for outfielder Tony Oliva says “Tony’s a real hitter from Cuba, known as ‘The Cuban Comet'” in reference to his speed on the basepaths.
Puns involving alliteration were also quite popular during this time. A 1968 Topps card for outfielder Carl Yastrzemski notes “Yaz hits with a yen, he’s baseball’s Yankee Clipper.” A 1972 Topps card for pitcher Gaylord Perry reads “When Gaylord’s in form on the mound, batters will squirm.” Pitcher Tommy John’s 1974 Topps card says “Tommy’s a winner with control and poise, he’s known far and wide as ‘T.J.'” Perhaps the most famous alliterative pun of all graced the back of Nolan Ryan’s 1973 Topps rookie card – “He’s a flame-thrower from Alvin, known as the ‘Ryan Express'” playing on his 100 mph heat and surname.
Puns also frequently involved wordplay related to players’ positions or skills. A 1961 Topps card for catcher Bob Uecker says “Bob’s a backstop who’s always in the thick of it, they call him ‘Mr. Inside'” referring to his defensive skills. A 1964 Topps card for third baseman Ken Boyer states “Ken holds down third base with grace and ease, he’s a ‘Boy’er of rare defensive abilities.” A 1969 Topps card for pitcher Denny McLain, who won 31 games in 1968, reads “Denny’s a winner with stuff on the ball, he’s known to all as ‘The Motor City Madman.'”
Into the modern card era of the 1980s and beyond, puns continued to be a staple on card backs even as designs changed and info expanded. A 1982 Topps card for pitcher Gaylord Perry, then in his late 30s, says “Age hasn’t slowed Gaylord’s motion a bit, he’s still a ‘Wily Vet.'” A 1992 Upper Deck card for pitcher Tom Candiotti notes “Tom keeps batters off-balance with his assortment, they call him ‘The Big Ugly'” playing on his 6’6″ stature. And a 2001 Upper Deck card for pitcher Randy Johnson says “With blazing fastballs, Randy dominated the league, he’s the ‘Big Unit'” referring to his intimidating 6’10” frame.
While some consider the cheesy puns an eyesore, for many longtime collectors they represent a fun nostalgic connection to baseball history. Even in today’s modern card designs with copious stats and career highlights, companies still find a way to work in the occasional pun. A 2021 Topps card for infielder/outfielder Kike Hernandez says “Kike provides versatility and pop from both sides of the plate, they call him ‘Mr. Utility'” acknowledging his ability to play everywhere. And a 2022 Topps card for pitcher Joe Musgrove notes “Joe dominated on the bump for San Diego, he’s their ‘Big Bear'” referencing his hometown team.
So whether groan-worthy or grin-inducing, the tradition of punny wordplay on the backs of baseball cards seems here to stay. They offer fans a lighthearted connection to players past and present while representing a nostalgic link to the early roots of the cardboard collecting craze that still thrives over a century later. From “Orr he goes” to “The Big Unit,” the cheesy pun will likely continue riding alongside stats and photos as a staple of the baseball card experience for generations of fans to come.
