Smokey the Bear has been a beloved icon of wildfire prevention in the United States for over 70 years. Most Americans are familiar with Smokey’s message to prevent forest fires: “Only you can prevent wildfires.” Few may know that Smokey Bear has also appeared on baseball cards since the late 1960s in an effort to spread his educational message and important work. Here is an in-depth look at the history of Smokey Bear baseball cards over the decades.
One of the earliest Smokey Bear baseball cards was issued in 1968 as part of the Topps baseball card set. On the front of the card is a cartoon image of Smokey wearing a baseball cap and jersey with the number “5” on it, representing the five steps of preventing wildfires. The back of the card features Smokey’s fire prevention message and asks children to help him in his important work. Over 170 million of these original Smokey baseball cards were distributed free of charge by the U.S. Forest Service and Topps to help spread awareness of wildfire dangers.
Topps continued releasing Smokey Bear baseball cards periodically throughout the 1970s and 80s. A 1971 card shows Smokey pitching on a baseball mound with trees behind him. The back explains his motto “Remember…Only You…” and signs off “Your pal, Smokey.” In 1974, a card featured Smokey catching a fly ball with a net, representing his work putting out forest fires. He made another appearance in 1977 swinging a baseball bat. These cards helped reinforce Smokey’s fire prevention message to a new generation of baseball fans.
Topps Smokey baseball cards then went on hiatus for over a decade before resuming in the early 1990s. A 1992 card depicted Smokey umpiring a baseball game in the woods. The back promotes wildfire prevention tips and Smokey’s new slogan “Smokey Says: ‘Care Will Prevent 9 Out Of 10 Forest Fires!'” Additional Topps cards followed in 1993, 1995 and 1998, each pairing Smokey Bear with images from the national pastime of baseball. By continuing to release the cards periodically, Smokey kept his educational PSA fresh in the minds of children and families.
In 2001, Topps collaborated with the U.S. Forest Service on a special Smokey Bear baseball card set called “Prevent Wildfires…Play Ball with Smokey!” which included 18 total cards. Some highlights included Smokey pitching, batting, and playing shortstop. The cards helped commemorate Smokey’s 50th anniversary of fire prevention service. According to the Forest Service, over 30 million of the commemorative cards were distributed across America. The specially designed set was a huge success at further popularizing Smokey’s lifesaving message.
As Smokey Bear approached his 65th anniversary in 2013, the Forest Service once more partnered with card manufacturer Topps for a new baseball card series. The 18-card “Honoring Our Hero Smokey Bear” set featured vibrant digital illustrations of Smokey engaging in various baseball activities like stealing bases and hitting home runs. On the back of each card was a fire prevention fact and short biography about Smokey’s wildfire work. Topps donated their design and production costs for the educational series to support the Forest Service’s ongoing wildfire prevention efforts. Over 15 million copies of the new Smokey Bear baseball cards were handed out across the nation.
The popularity of Smokey Bear baseball cards has endured because it ingeniously combines America’s beloved pastimes of baseball and the outdoors. By portraying Smokey engaged in baseball-themed scenarios, the cards creatively brought his crucial wildfire safety message to new generations of children in an entertaining way. Since 1968, over 200 million Smokey Bear baseball cards have been distributed free by the U.S. Forest Service and partners like Topps. The cards remain one of the most effective outreach tools for promoting Smokey’s message of wildfire prevention to the public. With wildfires becoming an even greater threat due to climate change, Smokey’s work is still as important as ever – and his baseball cards continue spreading awareness and education about the crucial issue of human-caused fires.
