Welcome back to Mets Cardboard Memories, Mets fans! In this fourth installment of our nostalgic journey, we dive into the charming 1970 Chemtoy Superballs set, which consists of 285 players representing the 25 Major League teams.
The "High Bouncing Balls" measure 3 1/4" in circumference (about 1 1/8" diameter). A full-color picture disc of the player is inserted inside the clear hard rubber ball. The back of the disc features the player's name, team, position, and Chemtoy inventory number. The inventory numbers start at 8026 for American League teams in alphabetical order by city, and end with the National League teams in alphabetical order by city at 8050.
A unique feature of this set is the variation of the Roberto Clemente Superball. One version has an American League red color disc, and the other has the blue National League color. The set includes 25 inventory numbers for 24 teams due to the Seattle Pilots' move to Milwaukee, which resulted in an extra team being added. George Lauzerique is listed under the Oakland A's, but the disc insert reads Seattle Pilots 8036, as does Jim Pagliaroni, who is listed under the Milwaukee Brewers.
The "High Bouncing Balls" were sold for 10 cents each from vending boxes. These 144-count vending boxes were available for American League players, National League players, and Team Players. Now, let's take a closer look at the Mets checklist for the 1970 Chemtoy Superballs set (New York Mets 8045):
1. Tom Seaver
2. Gil Hodges
3. Tommie Agee
4. Ron Swoboda
5. Ken Boswell
6. Jerry Koosman
7. Jerry Grote
8. Gary Gentry
9. Ed Kranepool
10. Cleon Jones
11. Bud Harrelson
12. Al Weis
These Superballs capture a delightful piece of baseball history, reflecting the charm and appeal of the early 1970s. Collecting these items brings back memories of a simpler time when baseball memorabilia was not only about the game but also about the joy of collecting.
Stay tuned for more Mets Cardboard Memories, where we continue to explore the rich history of Mets memorabilia and the stories behind these cherished items.
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