Today’s Card of the Day features Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Mike Easler on a card put out by Kellogg’s in 1982. This was a 64-card set that was also referred to as the 3D Super Stars set. We have featured sets from Kellogg’s a few times over the three years of this almost daily series, but this is our first look at the 1982 set. This particular set also features Dave Parker and Bill Madlock, giving it three Pirates players. Easler has been featured in this series multiple times, but this is his first solo card article since November of 2021, when we looked at his 1981 Topps Scratch-Off. Today’s card is #49 in the 1982 Kellogg’s set.
Here’s the front of the card:
These cards came included with the Kellogg’s products for a time, but Kellogg’s switched to a mail-in offer in 1981. They did some other switches over the years as well, adjusting the size of cards and the sizes of sets. These particular cards are slightly different in size from the previous year, which would be the same as standard cards you get in packs to this day. The 1982 cards measured 2-1/8″ x 3-1/4″, making them 1/4 of an inch shorter, and 3/8 of an inch thinner. That sounds small, but it really makes a difference in the look when they are side-by-side. These cards are thicker than normal cards, which helps keep the corners in better condition, but they have a tendency to develop a natural bend, depending on early storage conditions.
This card is similar in setup to the other years, though the frame around this photo is definitely unique. Most of the sets go with the standard rectangle shape photo frame, but not all. Kellogg’s liked to use just the player’s last name on the front, and they would include the position somewhere. They also included facsimile autographs throughout the years. By turning/tilting the card side-to-side it would give the player a 3D look. I’ll say one thing about Easler here. I like that they got the reverse colors pillbox cap. I really like that cap (not as much as the other), which I know is a controversial stance for some.
Here’s the back of the card:
Kellogg’s needs to be commended for the back of their cards. Look at all of this information you get on Mike Easler. They didn’t do anything special for him either, all of the players have a ton of info. They would have to cut down if a player had a long career, like the Phil Niekro card only has room for bio info on the left side of the card, but the Rickey Henderson card only has three years of stats, and then they filled up the rest of the back with bio info.
While the info was great, the definitely didn’t go for show here. Just a full black & white back. I posted a bigger scan here, but you can imagine what it’s like trying to read all of that info with the card in hand. If they decided to use some coloring like the awful 1982 Topps back, you wouldn’t be able to read the back at all. Where the black & white look doesn’t work is the Pirates logo, but it’s still a great logo so thanks to Kellogg’s for including it.
If you’re interested in this card, you have 33 options, including some graded ones. The highest priced copy is an interesting auction. They are asking $58 for a PSA 9. If you want to know if that’s a good deal, all you have to do is scroll down to the second highest price. That one is a PSA 10 for $45. The third or fourth ones help even more. They are both PSA 9 cards as well. One is $20, then other is $11. These cards aren’t hard to find in high grade, so you can buy them cheaper for the same condition, though $11 for a PSA 9 is hard to pass on, especially when you factor in the cost of grading itself. This card can be had from multiple seller under $3 delivered. Eight of these cards have sold in the last three months on Ebay. None have gone for more than $3.
