1959 Ted Williams Fleer Cards

[Paul S]

Originally Posted by rsdill2

Bucky Harris, the BoSox executive in the picture with the splendid splinter had an exclusive contract with Topps. Once Topps got wind of the card being sold, they threatened Fleer with a lawsuit so Fleer pulled it from distribution...at least that's how I understand it.

I have no legitimate reason to doubt that, but I had always heard that Williams had not actually signed a contract at that point. I would wonder why Harris would even have a contract with Topps. What card company, not that there was much competition, would even want a contract with the Harris likeness? And if Harris had did indeed have some sort of BoSox contract with Topps, why wouldn't he have tried to pull the whole Fleer set, with all those Boston insignias on Williams' jerseys?

[ALR-bishop]

Paul---before he was a GM he was an active player and a manger

[Paul S]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Paul---before he was a GM he was an active player and a manger

Al, I get that. But by the time the set came out that phase for Harris had been a long time gone. If Harris wanted money, wouldn't it have been easier for Fleer to just give him a few hundred? Also, as far as Harris being a "manger", maybe Harris thought he was the Second Coming (said in jest).

Paul

[ALR-bishop]

Paul-- your guess is as good as mine. In the early years Topps signed numerous managers and even coaches to card contracts. There are 25 of them in the 54 set. Someone pointed out Bucky appeared on a Bowman card in the early 50s and so he must have been under contract with them. When Topps bought out Bowman pre 1959, they acquired all of Bowman's assets, including the player contracts. But, I am just speculating. No first hand knowledge

[tedzan]

Hey guys

Having seen Ted Williams play (1947 - 1959), I was an avid fan of his. I acquired this set (minus #68) for $35 in gem mint condition in 1982.
That was the going price for it in the early 1980's. Then I purchased an ExMt #68 for only $75.

In 1984, I met Ted and had a very interesting conversation with him "talkin baseball", and baseball cards. The following is straight from Ted's
mouth......

"In late 1958, the FLEER Gum Company contacted my agent to do a series of BB cards depicting my life. FLEER offered me $500 for the rights.
Sy Berger (TOPPS Executive) counter-offered $1000 to retain the exclusive rights to me (Ted). Well, (as Ted chuckles), this started a bidding
war between TOPPS and FLEER. When FLEER raised the stakes to $5000, Sy Berger gave in to FLEER.....and, the rest is history."

Then, Ted added (as he smiled)...."$5000 was a lot of money back then for just having your pictures on a series of BB cards."

I responded....."Sure was, 5000 was my Dad's annual salary."


In my book, Ted was not only a tremendous ballplayer, but also a tremendous person. Willing to give of his time to talk with you.

Oh, did I say.....I've always been a Yankees fan.

P.S....when I told Ted that I've always been a Yankees fan, he asked me why did I root for him to hit a HR in the upper deck in RF in Yankee
Stadium every time the Red Sox were in town ?

I told him...."back in 1949, and the 1950's, I always felt that the Yankees would win the Pennant every year, anyway."

Ted had a good laugh at my response.


TED Z

[the 'stache]

Ted, I'd have given my left nut for a chance to talk with Ted Williams. Literally. I consider him the greatest pure hitter to ever play the game. Like the Splendid Splinter, I am highly analytical, with a great attention to detail. Unfortunately, I wasn't blessed with the same eye, the same wiry frame and powerful arms that Ted was, or I'd have been a hell of a player myself

On my DVR, I have a few things "saved until I delete", and the HBO special on Ted Williams is one. I watch it at least every few days, and it will remain there until a.) an asteroid hits the Earth, killing all mankind, or b.) Verizon takes my DVR away.

Thank you for sharing your anecdote!

[D. Bergin]

Great thread guys. I also consider Ted the greatest pure hitter who ever lived.

You can also count me as a Yankee fan who thinks Ted probably got ripped on at least a couple of MVP awards, possibly more.

Taking into account the military service he lost and the fact he played most of his career post-segregation, his stat lines are just mind-boggling to look at. If he were around today, everybody would be accusing him of being on PED's.

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by the 'stache

Ted, I'd have given my left nut for a chance to talk with Ted Williams. Literally. I consider him the greatest pure hitter to ever play the game. Like the Splendid Splinter, I am highly analytical, with a great attention to detail. Unfortunately, I wasn't blessed with the same eye, the same wiry frame and powerful arms that Ted was, or I'd have been a hell of a player myself

On my DVR, I have a few things "saved until I delete", and the HBO special on Ted Williams is one. I watch it at least every few days, and it will remain there until a.) an asteroid hits the Earth, killing all mankind, or b.) Verizon takes my DVR away.

Thank you for sharing your anecdote!

Bill

I have met Ted Williams at several BB card shows in the 1980's, and also at Cooperstown on HOF weekend.
Everytime, Ted was very cordial and loved talking about anything BB related.

I left out one more interesting comment Ted told me in response to my....

"back in 1949, and the 1950's, I always felt that the Yankees would win the Pennant every year, anyway."

Ted responded with this......

"If Phil Rizzuto was our shortstop all those years, the Red Sox would have been the Champions."

Ted alluded to The Scooter as being a great lead-off batter, who would start an inning by getting on base
either with a swinging Hit, a Bunt, a Walk, or whatever.


TED Z

[ALR-bishop]

Paul-- your guess is as good as mine. In the early years Topps signed numerous managers and even coaches to card contracts. There are 25 of them in the 54 set. Someone pointed out Bucky appeared on a Bowman card in the early 50s and so he must have been under contract with them. When Topps bought out Bowman pre 1959, they acquired all of Bowman's assets, including the player contracts. But, I am just speculating. No first hand knowledge