1959 Ted Williams Fleer Cards

[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