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STATIS PRO BASEBALL CARDS PDF

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The History of Baseball Cards and Stats

The tradition of collecting baseball cards dates back to the late 19th century when card manufacturers like Goodwin & Company began producing sets of cards featuring batting and fielding statistics of players from professional baseball teams. These early baseball cards were included in cigarette packs and stick of chewing gum as a marketing tactic. While the cards featured rudimentary stats, they helped capture the nation’s growing interest in the growing sport of baseball and sparked the beginnings of what would become America’s favorite hobby – collecting baseball cards.

The first true set of baseball cards was produced in 1887 by a printing company called Old Judge and featured individual cards of players from both the National League and American Association. Each card included a black-and-white image of the player as well as their name, team, and position. No statistics were included on these early cards. They set the standard design that would be followed for decades – a stiff paper stock with photography or illustrations on the front and player info printed on the back.

In the early 1900s, several candy companies like American Caramel began inserting baseball cards into their products, further popularizing the trend. These Edward H. Harrison Co. series and Philadelphia Caramel Co. cards included basic statistics like batting average and home runs for the first time. Details were sparse, usually just listing the player’s position and perhaps their best single-season stats. It marked the first attempt to compile career performance metrics on the cardboard.

Throughout the 1910s and 1920s, the baseball card boom continued with makers like the Goudey Gum Company and Tip Top Bread producing ornate series featuring foil stamped embossed designs. Stats began including additional details like runs batted in, games played, and fielding percentages. Sets became meticulously organized, following the structure and standings of the major and minor leagues. For the first time, fans could compare rookie seasons to veterans and track player progress year-to-year.

In 1933, Goudey released the famous Goudey Sport Kings cards, highlighted by the sole known Babe Ruth with chewing gum in mouth card. This iconic set raised the bar with bold color images and crisp details. The 1933 Goudey highlights the transition of baseball cards from promotions to collectibles as kids traded the coveted cards as intensely as the major leaguers traded punches on the field. For the remainder of the 1930s, baseball cards became as American as hot dogs and hailed as the most popular hobby in the country among both children and adults.

After WWII, the popularity of baseball cards skyrocketed thanks to mass-production. Companies like Bowman Gum and Topps Chewing Gum released highly sought after yearly sets. Topps debuted in 1938 but found its commercial success starting in the 1950s. Topps streamlined the design and layout of cards and prioritized photography over illustrations to capture the era’s biggest stars like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron in realistic fashion on the cardboard. Meanwhile, detailed stats listings chronicling player career progress proliferated the back of cards.

By this time, stats tracked on cards included not only batting average, home runs, RBI, and stolen bases but also more niche marks like saves for pitchers and fielding percentage for positional players. Slugging percentage, on-base percentage, strikeouts, and ERA also found their way onto card stats as analytical metrics became more entrenched in the game itself. Color printing arrived in the late 1950s, further boosting card realism and demand. During this post-war period, baseball cards surpassed bubble gum as the primary product, sparking the first golden age of collecting.

In the 1960s and 70s, Topps cemented their dominance over competitors with exclusive player contracts, releasing larger and more comprehensive yearly sets. Stats listings swelled to unprecedented levels, tracking seasonal and lifetime numbers for every regular player. Sabermetric analysis ascended in popularity, coinciding with more advanced card metrics like runs created and adjusted on-base plus slugging. By the dawn of free agency in the 1970s, baseball cards had grown into a billion-dollar industry and integral part of the game’s culture, available at corner stores nationwide.

The 1980s brought challenges as concerns over nicotine exposure resulted in cigarette packs losing their baseball promotions. This sent demand crashing, spawning a recession in the industry. Though Topps endured thanks to dedicated collectors, the lack of mainstream distribution dealt a heavy blow. But stratospheric card prices during the speculation boom of the late 80s-early 90s hinted the potential resurgence to come by catering directly to enthusiasts.

In the modern collecting era, the internet exploded opportunities for direct sales, auctions, and networking among hobbyists around the globe. In the 1990s, Upper Deck emerged as Topps stiffest competitor and a pioneer in premium card production. Ultra-modern stats and tools like ballpark factors saw greater prominence. Meanwhile, the influx of information through digital media synergized perfectly with card compiling and comparing stats.

Today, the baseball card industry thrives with estimated annual revenues over $500 million thanks to sophisticated marketing strategies, licensed products, and exclusive digital content. Manufacturers like Topps, Panini, Leaf, and Fanatics deliver stat-packed premium limited releases tailored for today’s numbers-driven analytical collectors. The core essence stays the same – shining a spotlight onto baseball’s storied legends through vivid imagery and career achievements crystallized onto cardboard treasures. No matter the advancements in technology, baseball cards will always have a special place in appreciating the stats and stories that define America’s pastime.

STATIS PRO BASEBALL PLAYER CARDS

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The tradition of collecting baseball cards dates back to the late 19th century when cigarette and tobacco companies began including cards featuring baseball players in their products as a promotional tactic. These original cards, known as “tombstone cards” due to their simple vertical layout, focused primarily on helping consumers recognize and remember the brands and teams being advertised. Pictures were often absent and statistics were rarely included.

The modern era of baseball cards began in 1909 when the American Tobacco Company issued its famous T206 series. Considered the most valuable historic set, the distinctive portraits featured a vast array of current major and minor leaguers. Information such as batting averages and positions played started appearing with greater frequency. Card production exploded during the following two decades as the popularity of chewing gum and candy increased demand for the incentive offerings enclosed within packs. A surge in standardized card dimensions, vibrant color lithography, league logos and player stats transformed the humble promotional items into authentic collectibles.

By the 1930s, several dedicated card manufacturing companies had emerged to satisfy the growing national baseball card craze. Goudey Gum and Bowman Gum led the way with high quality sets highlighting the biggest superstars like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. However, World War II paper shortages led to temporary halts in distribution. After the war ended, a renaissance occurred with Bowman returning to the market alongside new competitors like Topps Chewing Gum and Leaf Gum. More advanced printing allowed for true full color photographs across entire fronts rather than small ovals. Information panels grew larger too, supplying robust career data while retaining a static snapshot design.

The 1950s were the pinnacle of the classic baseball card era as advanced printing technologies enabled unprecedented visual fidelity and statistical depth. Companies promoted aggressive expansion into parallel low-numbered subsets with short prints and rare variations inserted randomly. Topps in particular dominated distribution through exclusive deals with both major leagues. Their flagship annual issues from 1952-1967 are considered the most iconic of the static style. Collectors could display statistical progression over the photos stuck behind waxy wrappers as the records were updated each season.

When the baseball card boom reached its absolute zenith in the late 1950s, production and release schedules became more frenzied. Multiple large companies competed by flooding the market, watering down overall quality and long term investment potential in the process. Fleer and Post Cereals entered as renegades with unlicensed sets in 1958 using headshots taken without league consent. But the novel addition of rookie cards for young upcoming talents like Hank Aaron and Roberto Clemente helped breathe new life into the static formula.

By the early 1960s though, slumping baseball interest and overproduction led to an industry contraction. The ’63 Topps issue would be the last significant static style set distributed nationwide for several years. Experimentation with new styles like stickers and coins brought Topps back, yet card sales declined overall. The monopoly finally ended in 1981 when Donruss gained MLB licensing rights, reinvigorating competition once more with their static painted portraits and stats. They failed to outpace Topps long-term.

In the late 1980s, the arrival of new insert sets featuring traded players or special subsets like Topps Traded catalyzed renewed collector fervor. New technology also enabled foil signatures, embossed logos and photographic techniques like action shots or posed portraits on classic static cardboard stock. The ’89 Upper Deck issue revolutionized production values with sharp color, glossy surfaces and statistical accuracy previously unseen. Their innovation set a new standard other companies scrambled to match.

In the 1990s, as people flocked online and direct marketing via mail order boomed, static style baseball cards underwent another renaissance period. Expansive annual flagship sets from Topps, Fleer, Leaf, Pinnacle and more provided a nostalgic throwback while saturation of insert sets, parallels, autographs and memorabilia cards appealed to evolving collector interests. Large expansive statistical datasets printed on the backs also gave the images more lasting analytical value for generations beyond initial release.

Though technology has marched baseball cards into new digital collecting eras, the static vintage photo style remains popular with nostalgic enthusiasts to this day. Reprint and retro styled issues from companies like Topps, Leaf and Stadium Club are produced each year paying homage to the classic designs of decades past. Especially iconic dominant stars of eras gone by like Mickey Mantle and Stan Musial continue being featured prominently. Their enduring attraction proves the timeless appeal of simplified static images paired with career stats and information in a tangible collectible package that reminds us of our national pastime’s storied history.

As baseball cards have evolved tremendously from theirorigins as small cigarette promotions into their current digital incarnations, the traditional static format will likely be remembered fondly forevermore by those who grew up sorting and appreciating the nostalgic players, teams and eras frozen permanently in cardboard. Their simplicity captures and preserves slice-of-time snapshots from baseball’s golden age that remain treasured touchpoints between generations of dedicated fans.

STATIS PRO BASEBALL CARDS

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Using Static Cling For Protecting Baseball Cards

Baseball cards are prized collectibles for fans of America’s pastime that hold significant nostalgic and monetary value. Whether you have amassed a collection throughout the years or just started acquiring singles, it is important to properly store and protect baseball cards to preserve their condition. While sleeves, toploaders, and albums are common storage methods, static cling film can also be an effective solution for keeping pristine sheets of cardboard from harm. Here is an in-depth look at how static cling works and tips for using it to safeguard baseball cards.

Static cling, also called static clings or static cling vinyl, is a thin, clear plastic film that adheres to smooth, nonporous surfaces through static electricity. It gets its name from the static electric charge that builds up as the sheet is peeled away from its backing paper, causing it to stick where pressed without the need for adhesive. The cling properties allow for a clean, seamless cling that does not damage what lies beneath while still providing a protective barrier. For baseball cards, static cling is ideal as it encases each card without further bulk that could damage edges, creases, or centering over time within albums or binders.

When using static cling film for baseball cards, it is important to first clean the surface of the cards thoroughly. Dust, fingerprints, and other residue can interfere with the cling holding power. Use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe down both sides without risking scratches. Ensure cards are completely dry before proceeding. Measure and cut individual sheets from the roll to fit each card closely without excess overhang on any side. Hold the cling film at its edges to avoid direct skin contact which can reduce static. Place the sheet centered over the card and smooth from the center outwards using a credit card or spatula to activate the cling and remove any air bubbles between layers. Apply firm, even pressure as you work outward until the film adheres securely along all edges.

It is best to store cards encased in static cling sheets standing upright in a designated box, binder, or other organizer rather than stacked on top of one another. This prevents abrasion between multiple layers of plastic over time that could lead to microscratching of surfaces. Well-ventilated boxes or portfolios are preferable to sealed plastic cases which can cause moisture buildup between cling layers. Routine checks should be performed to ensure cling films remain tightly adhered without signs of peeling at edges. Reapply fresh sheets as needed if cling properties weaken. Static cling film alone does not block harmful UV light, so storage in a dark area away from direct sunlight is still recommended.

While static cling adds a protective barrier for baseball cards, there are some disadvantages to be aware of. The application process can be more time-consuming than simply sleeving cards. Air bubbles are also more likely to occur between layers versus a tight-fitting toploader or sleeve. Over time, layers may slowly peel away from one another depending on storage and environmental conditions, losing their clear look.

For collectors seeking the most secure long-term preservation options, encapsulating cards remains the gold standard. Third-party grading encapsulations from industry leaders like PSA, BGS, and SGC take the guesswork out of protection by permanently sealing approved cards within tamper-proof plastic slabs rated on condition. This grading process also authenticates the card and adds validity should its future resale ever be considered. The cost of grading each and every card in a collection is prohibitive for most hobbyists, making static cling film a suitable budget-friendly alternative when applied and stored properly.

Using static cling vinyl sheets is an effective DIY method for collectors looking to protect their baseball cards without adding excess thickness from other enclosure types. When measuring, applying, and storing cards encased in static cling film carefully according to best practices, it can preserve mint condition over many years of enjoyment. Just be aware that occasional reapplications may be needed depending on storage conditions. With the right precautions, static cling is a simple low-cost solution to safeguard treasured cardboard and invest in the future condition of any collection.

STATIS PRO BASEBALL FAST ACTION CARDS

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Introduction
Statis Pro baseball fast action cards were a niche but popular collectible from the late 1980s through the mid-1990s known for their quality photographs and attention to statistical details of players. At their peak of popularity in the early 1990s, Statis Pro cards sold briskly at hobby shops and card shows across America, attracting dedicated collectors to their addictive formula of flashy imagery combined with density of player performance data. While production of new Statis Pro cards ceased in the mid-1990s, their archives remain a valued resource even today for researchers, historians, and nostalgic fans of the era.

History and Founding
Statis Pro was founded in 1987 by baseball card entrepreneur Michael Gelman, who was an early proponent of infusing baseball cards with heightened production values and rigorous statistics beyond the basic information found on mainstream cardboard brands at the time like Topps and Fleer. Gelman aimed to position Statis Pro as a premium alternative for the most devoted collectors. Each release would be limited to meticulously researched cards featuring hallmarks like embossed logos, glossy stock, and statistical minutiae spanning the entire careers of players.

Peak Popularity
Statis Pro steadily gained a cult following through the late 1980s with releases spotlighting iconic stars and tracking intricate performance stats. But it was the brand’s 1990 and 1991 series that brought Statis Pro into the mainstream and to the height of its popularity. The expansive 1990 set rewarded collectors with over 700 cards saluting both contemporary sluggers and past legends in large formats packed with statistical charts. Similarly, the 1991 edition comprised a complete season’s worth of real-time stats for that year’s MLB players. Both sets sold out rapidly and still command high prices in the resale market as sought-after inserts of the early 90s boom period.

Exacting Focus on Statistics
What truly set Statis Pro apart from competitors was the near-obsessive focus on statistical minutiae. Every card brimmed with dizzying displays of player performance metrics spanning their entire careers in categories far beyond the usual hits, runs, batting averages. Gelman’s in-house research department delved into esoteric counting stats, advanced analytics, situational splits, postseason stats, award histories, and more. Color-coded charts unpacked hidden patterns in how players performed under diverse game conditions and across eras. The statistical overload risked overwhelming casual fans but proved catnip for true adherents of sabermetrics years before the field blossomed.

Premium Production Values
While Topps and Fleer satisfied mass demand, Statis Pro aimed even higher with premium touches befitting the analytical seriousness. Early test print runs experimented with foil stamping, embossing, die-cuts and puffy inks to bring dramatic pop. The flagship releases settled on a rigid, high- gloss stock with sharp color reproduction showcasing action shots. Close-up headshots conveyed an intimacy missing from group images on other brands. Authentic autographs were also a big draw for collectors hoping for a signed rookie. The production polish positioned Statis Pro cards as acrylic display pieces as much as investments.

Later Years and Decline
Statis Pro kept evolving with the 1990s, dropping individual season recaps for sprawling retrospective and highlight sets comparing stars across eras. Insert sets delved into specific player milestones and achievements. Rising MLB licensing fees and shrinking specialty market combined with Gelman’s waning enthusiasm led to the brand’s demise by 1995. While never achieving Topps’ household name status, Statis Pro left an indelible mark on 1990s collectors through imagination, dedication to statistics as art form, and visionary blend of nostalgia with analytical rigor that anticipated modern fandom. Ever since, Statis Pro cards remain prized holdings for anyone hoping to relive baseball’s past through digits rather than just images.

Conclusion
In summarizing, Statis Pro fast action baseball cards occupied a unique niche in the late 80s and early 90s market by prioritizing exhaustive statistical analysis alongside premium production qualities that elevated cards beyond casual collecting into miniature analytic tomes and retrospective time capsules. Although short-lived, Statis Pro established statistics-heavy cards as a viable specialty segment and helped pioneer the modern appreciation of player metrics as baseball fandom evolved in the digital age. Their archives retain lasting value for any student of baseball history seeking to unravel hidden patterns and place eras in statistical context beyond basic listings. While gone, Statis Pro’s emphasis on precision stats left an indelible mark on the hobby.

STATIS PRO BASEBALL CARDS FREE

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Statis Pro Baseball Cards: Protecting Memories for Over 50 Years

Baseball cards have long been a treasured part of American pop culture. From the late 19th century tobacco cards to the modern licensed team and player cards, collecting cards depicting our favorite baseball stars has brought joy to fans of all ages. One challenge collectors have always faced is preventing damage and deterioration to their prized cardboard over long periods of time. This is where Statis Pro came in to solve the problem in a unique way.

Statis Pro was founded in 1966 by brothers Lewis and David Klots in Queens, New York. As avid baseball card collectors themselves, the Klots brothers were frustrated by the fragile nature of standard paper cards. Over time, cardboard would bend, crease, fade or grow brittle with simple handling or exposure to light. Looking for a permanent solution, the inventors experimented with different plastic coatings and sealing techniques.

Their breakthrough came when they discovered a polyester-based film that could be applied as a nearly invisible, extremely durable shield over individual cards. By 1967, Statis Pro had perfected the process of sandwiching cards between two thin polyester sheets, sealed on all four sides with special heat-activated adhesive. The result was a protective “pouch” that was lightweight, flexible and completely sealed the card away from any potential damage for decades to come.

The Statis brothers knew they had created something special that could really benefit collectors. Starting with a small factory and office in Queens, they began marketing Statis Pro cardholders directly to hobby shops and sports memorabilia dealers across the Northeast. Word of mouth and enthusiastic reviews helped sales steadily grow throughout the late 1960s and 1970s as collectors embraced the preservation benefits. Baseball legends like Mickey Mantle and Hank Aaron even started personally endorsing the Statis Pro method.

A key marketing strategy was bundling valuable vintage and rookie cards inside the protective pouches. Early Statis Pro “factory sets” often included cards from the 1950s and 60s that were still affordable at the time but have since become highly valuable. Sealed this way in near-mint condition, they retained much greater surplus value years later versus typical paper cards of the same players and sets. As baseball card collecting exploded in popularity during the late 1970s and 1980s, Statis Pro was perfectly positioned with its shielding solution.

By the 1990s, Statis Pro had expanded national distribution and a much larger factory in Long Island City was pumping out millions of cardholders each year for the booming collectibles market. Over the decades, the polymer film technology and sealing process was refined for optimized clarity, flexibility and adhesion qualities. Statis Pro also began offering different sizes of regular sleeves as well as larger “super sized” pouches that could hold entire complete sets or entire team collections of cards at once for convenient compact storage and display.

For today’s collectors and investors, Statis Pro remains the gold standard of long-term protection over 50 years later. While flimsier one-time-use plastic holders have come and gone, Statis Pro’s pouches have proven their worth by ensuring cards encased decades ago still look as brilliant as the day they were packaged. The polyester film does not yellow, crack or degrade with time. Properly stored cards inside Statis Pro holders have stayed in pristine condition while others from the same era have deteriorated.

This unmatched preservation quality is a big reason why cards sealed by Statis Pro in the 1960s-80s command higher values in the collector marketplace versus typical paper cards of that vintage. The Statis Pro seal provides authenticity and peace of mind that the card has been continuously protected for decades without risk of damage. Ranging from common players to rare variants, vintage 1961 Topps, 1966 Topps, 1969 Topps and 1971 Topps are particularly prized sets among investors when they carry the Statis Pro label of certified long-term preservation.

In an ever-changing memorabilia industry, Statis Pro still dominates the niche it created more than 50 years ago. With professional quality control ensuring consistent film and seal strength on every pouch, Statis Pro remains the safest, most trusted way to save beloved cards or entire collections for future generations to enjoy. Just as the company has grown and upgraded facilities over the decades, it also continues innovating by expanding compatible sizes and formats for modern cards, autographs, uncut sheets and more specialty collectibles. Statis Pro’s time-tested polyester film formulation keeps memories fresh-faced for another half century and beyond.

FREE STATIS PRO BASEBALL CARDS

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The modern baseball card collecting hobby began in the late 19th century as cards depicting popular MLB players were included as promotional inserts in cigarette packs and bars of chewing gum. While the cards themselves held little intrinsic value, they became prized keepsakes for young fans to cherish and swap. Today, vintage cards from the tobacco era are among the most valuable collectibles in the world.

By the mid-20th century, the popularity of baseball cards had exploded. The largest manufacturers like Topps transitioned away from tobacco products due to health concerns. Instead, sets featuring the season’s top players were mass produced and sold in sealed wax packs at convenience stores, pharmacies, and supermarkets. As baseball card collecting went mainstream, third-party manufacturers also entered the market offering lower quality “reprint” sets.

One of the pioneers of third-party baseball cards was Statis Pro, a Minnesota-based company founded in 1977. Seeking to capitalize on the booming popularity of the hobby, Statis produced full-size reproductions of Topps, Fleer, and Donruss cards. They stood out by including short biographies, stats, and fun facts not found on the originals. Statis cards helped immerse collectors beyond just the player images and allowed casual fans to learn more about their favorites.

While Statis cards emulated the popular brands of the time, they held no actual licensed rights. For this reason, Statis Pro cards were branded as “reproduction” or “unlicensed” sets that could not be legally sold in stores with the other licensed card products. As such, Statis developed an innovative direct-to-consumer business model to distribute their cards.

Through advertisements in sports card collecting magazines and books, Statis offered to send collectors full sets of their latest baseball card reproductions completely free of charge. All that was requested in return was a self-addressed stamped envelope to mail the cards. This approach succeeded in widely spreading Statis cards throughout the collecting community while avoiding retail competition with Topps, Donruss, and Fleer.

The first Statis Pro baseball card sets recreated Topps and Fleer rookie or star player issues from the 1970s. As the company continued operations through the 1980s and 90s, they expanded their library of reproduced card designs to encompass nearly every MLB team and season from the 1930s onward. With each free shipment also came order forms to obtain Statis’ many additional card sets spanning other sports too.

While Statis cards lacked official licensing and were of noticeably poorer photographic quality than standard cardboard, their added information and accessibility helped grow interest in the hobby. Statis allowed collectors on a budget to experience the nostalgia of cards from eras before they were born. Some fans even came to prefer Statis designs for their unconventional reverse-negative photos or semi-gloss sheen not found on the original issues.

The free business model proved quite sustainable for Statis Pro. Minor postage costs were offset by order form promotions for related collectibles generating ongoing revenue. Statis cards filled an important niche apprenticing new collectors and maintaining enthusiasm among casual fans no longer able to afford expensive vintage rarities. Their unique method of distribution also fostered a loyal customer base that continued relying on Statis well into the internet age.

In the late 1990s, as sports card values soared amid speculation and memorabilia boom, concerns were increasingly raised over the copyright implications of Statis’ unlicensed reproductions. While the company had faced little scrutiny for decades, pressure from dealers associations and memorabilia companies likely grew too strong. Statis quietly ceased operations sometime in the late 1990s, leaving their legacy in the hands of a generation of fans first exposed to baseball card collecting through their generous free mailings.

Today, vintage Statis Pro cards can still be found in the collections of enthusiasts who came of age in the 1980s-90s golden eras of the hobby. While holding minimal resale value, Statis cards continue serving as reminders of how collecting was once so accessible it could be enjoyed virtually for free. Their innovative direct mail business model also showed there were alternative paths to prosperity beyond the traditional licensed sports card publisher model. Most of all, Statis Pro enabled thousands to foster a lifelong love of baseball through cards regardless of monetary means. For that influence alone, Statis earns an honored place in the history of the hobby.

The story of Statis Pro and their free baseball card distributions underscores how creativity and grassroots efforts can cultivate new audiences. While short lived due to copyright issues, Statis leaves a lasting legacy among those whose collections and fondest card memories originate from one of their unsolicited but much appreciated mailings so many years ago.