Big League Chew bubble gum is a brand of shredded bubble gum designed to resemble chewing tobacco. It was created by Rob Nelson in the late 1970s as a safer alternative for children who wanted to emulate professional baseball players. In addition to the bubble gum product, Big League Chew also produced collectible baseball cards from 1979 to 1981 as a way to promote the brand and make the experience more fun and interactive for kids. These unique cards featured professional baseball players from the time period alongside fun baseball trivia and facts on the back. Though production ended over 40 years ago, Big League Chew baseball cards remain a nostalgic piece of memorabilia that are highly sought after by collectors today.
Big League Chew bubble gum was first test marketed in Minnesota in 1976 before gaining widespread popularity and distribution across the United States in subsequent years. The product came in distinctive foil pouches that resembled tobacco pouches, with the shredded gum resembling strands of chewing tobacco. This allowed kids to realistically pretend they were their favorite baseball players chewing in the dugout or on the field. To further enhance this experience and make collecting Big League Chew more of an activity, the company began including limited edition baseball cards inside random packages of gum from 1979-1981.
Over the three year production period, an estimated 15-20 million Big League Chew baseball cards were printed and inserted into gum packages. The cards featured colorful front-facing photos of MLB baseball stars from the late 1970s and early 1980s like Reggie Jackson, Mike Schmidt, Steve Garvey, and Nolan Ryan. Fun facts about the players’ careers and stats were printed on the backs. Many cards also included baseball trivia or questions to further engage kids. Examples include “How many pitches does Nolan Ryan throw in one inning?” or “How many career grand slams does Reggie Jackson have?”.
Beyond promoting Big League Chew, these unique vintage cards also helped grow children’s interest in America’s pastime during an era when baseball’s popularity was at an all-time high. Kids enjoyed learning about their favorite players while chewing gum and pretending to be in the dugout. The relatively short print run from 1979-1981 also makes Big League Chew cards quite scarce and desirable for collectors today. In the early 1980s, many cards were thrown away after being chewed or simply discarded with used gum packaging. But those that survived in good condition have increased greatly in value. Today, a complete set could fetch over $1,000 depending on condition, with key individual cards selling for hundreds of dollars each.
Some of the most coveted and valuable Big League Chew baseball cards include rookies, stars of the era, and players who went on to the Hall of Fame. A 1979 Nolan Ryan card in near mint condition recently sold for $425. A 1980 Mike Schmidt rookie card realized $320. Rookie cards are always highly sought, such as a 1979 Cal Ripken Jr. that sold for $280 and a 1981 Fernando Valenzuela that brought $210. Star power also increases value, like a 1981 Reggie Jackson card reaching $185 and a 1980 Steve Garvey going for $150. Even more common players can have value, with a 1979 Dave Parker selling for $70 and a 1980 Keith Hernandez at $55.
The scarcity and nostalgia surrounding Big League Chew cards makes them an intriguing niche in the vast world of baseball memorabilia collecting. While production ended over 40 years ago, the brand and these unique vintage cards still resonate deeply with those who enjoyed them as kids in the late 1970s and early 80s. Collectors today appreciate them as a fun glimpse into the past when baseball captured America’s imagination and kids enjoyed mimicking their heroes by chewing Big League Chew gum and learning about the sport through included baseball cards. Whether chasing key rookies, stars of the era, or building a complete set, Big League Chew cards remain a beloved and historically significant collectible for those passionate about the intersection of baseball cards and nostalgia from this special period in time.
In conclusion, Big League Chew bubble gum baseball cards were a creative limited-run promotional item from 1979-1981 that successfully married a child-friendly chewing gum with the hobby of baseball card collecting. By including fun, colorful cards of MLB stars inside gum packages, the company engaged kids’ interest in America’s pastime while they enjoyed pretending to be ballplayers. Though production ended over 40 years ago, these unique vintage cards retain a strong nostalgic appeal and have grown greatly in value as a niche collectible. Today they provide baseball and memorabilia enthusiasts a special connection to the beloved era when Big League Chew gum and the included baseball cards captured children’s imaginations.
