Back during my first collecting lifespan (’90-’97), I had two brands I collected. One was obviously Pinnacle but second on the list was Fleer. I absolutely loved Fleer over any Upper Deck or Topps release from back in the day because for some reason I always felt Fleer Company did it for the love of the game, while Upper Deck always seemed to be out for the buck.
The player featured in this 1963 Fleer baseball card played nine seasons in “The Show” but was never much of a ballplayer, finishing his career with a .213 lifetime batting average with less than 50 career home runs in over 740 games played. Still, it didn’t deter Kindall from releasing ‘Baseball: Play the Winning Way’ in 1993 (link).
Jerry has also gone on to a very lucrative coaching career and was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association and even has an award named after him titled ‘The Jerry Kindall Character in Coaching Award’ (link). Judging by the recent photo, it looks like Jerry hasn’t aged one bit!
Those who can, do: those that can’t, teach.
I love this set.
I hate that saying, but in many facets of life you’re correct.
Don’t you miss the old days sometimes? Especially when the dollar meant something and the Euro didn’t exist (unless spelled Gyro)?
I’ve never seen the back of a ’63 Fleer until now and it’s awesome. I can see why Topps felt threatened. It would have been cool if Fleer could have made cards from ’64-’80.
He was my college baseball coach
Definitely one of the best baseball coaches I have ever had the honor of playing for.