The late 1980s were a golden era for baseball card collectors, with a plethora of unique and quirky sets emerging to captivate fans. Among these, the 1988 Kenner Starting Lineup Talking Baseball card set stands out as one of the most intriguing and nostalgic oddball releases of the time. This set, packaged with the Starting Lineup Talking Baseball game, offered a blend of collectible cards and interactive gameplay that was both innovative and memorable.
The Game and Its Cards
Kenner's sister company, Parker Brothers, manufactured the Starting Lineup Talking Baseball game, which was a sophisticated electronic baseball game released in 1988. It retailed for between $89.99 and $99.99 (around $200 today). Unlike other baseball games of the era, this one featured programmable lineups, real player statistics, and an announcer providing play-by-play commentary. The game's complexity, however, made it challenging to find willing opponents, adding to its mystique and allure among dedicated fans.
The set included 40 cards featuring the biggest stars of the day, with each player represented by a photo on the front and statistics on the back. These cards, measuring 2 5/8" x 3", were slightly too wide for standard card album pages. Licensed only by the MLBPA, the cards lacked team logos and were identified by a "Player Number" rather than traditional numbering, which corresponded to the game's lineup programming.
The Add-On Cartridges
Starting Lineup Talking Baseball was customizable with the rosters of each of the 26 Major League Baseball teams at the time, available on eight cartridges that initially retailed for about $19.99 each:
- No. 4001 – Tigers/Blue Jays/Indians/Brewers
- No. 4002 – Yankees/Red Sox/Orioles
- No. 4003 – Royals/White Sox/Rangers/Twins
- No. 4004 – Angels/A’s/Mariners
- No. 4005 – Cubs/Expos/Cardinals
- No. 4006 – Pirates/Phillies/Mets
- No. 4007 – Giants/Padres/Dodgers
- No. 4008 – Reds/Astros/Braves
The Mets cartridge had the following players:
Bill Almon
Wally Backman
Gary Carter
David Cone
Ron Darling
Lenny Dykstra
Sid Fernandez
Dwight Gooden
Keith Hernandez
Howard Johnson
Barry Lyons
Dave Magadan
Lee Mazzilli
Roger McDowell
Kevin McReynolds
Jesse Orosco
Rafael Santana
Darryl Strawberry
Tim Teufel
Mookie Wilson
Each of these cartridges included a set of cards representing the teams, allowing players to recreate real-life lineups and scenarios. The cartridges expanded the game's versatility, providing hours of entertainment and an additional layer of collectibility to the set.
Oddities and Errors
The Starting Lineup Talking Baseball set is not without its quirks. The cards featured several oddities, including players appearing on cards for multiple teams due to mid-season trades and some amusing spelling errors. For instance, Lee Smith appears in both the Cubs and Red Sox team sets, and Billy Ripken's name is misspelled, even though his brother Cal's card is correct.
Moreover, the game itself had some design flaws, such as the peculiar placement of second base parallel to home plate, which added to its charm and the occasional frustration of players.
A Collector's Treasure
Despite—or perhaps because of—its oddities, the 1988 Kenner Starting Lineup Talking Baseball card set remains a treasured piece of baseball memorabilia. For those who grew up in that era, the cards evoke fond memories of a simpler time, of collecting with friends, and the joy of finding that elusive card to complete a set. It's a testament to the enduring appeal of baseball cards and the unique place they hold in the hearts of fans.
Whether you're a seasoned collector or a Mets fan looking to relive the glory days of the late '80s, the Starting Lineup Talking Baseball card set offers a delightful journey back in time, full of nostalgia and baseball lore.
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