Catching Up on 1981 Fleer Star Sticker Returns (x5)

During my three-month reprieve from blogging, I did make some progress on my 1981 Fleer Star Sticker set. Let’s recap…

Tony Perez via Private Signing

I received the Hall of Famer back on July 20th from a private signing. Pictured as a Red Sox, Perez is best known for his days with the Big Red Machine. He also played for the Expos and Phillies.

“Big Dog” was a seven-time All-Star (1967-1970, 1974-1976) posting 2,732 hits, 379 home runs, and 1,652 RBI over a 23-year run. He picked up three World Series rings – 1975 and 1976 as a player, and 1990 as a coach for the Reds team that swept the favored A’s.

He was inducted into Cooperstown in 2000 (ninth ballot) with 77.15 percent of the vote.

Mickey Rivers through the mail

“Mick the Quick” signed TTM by way of his agency, MDM Sports. This one came back 7/25.

Rivers, a speedy leadoff type, is best remembered for his time in pinstripes, where he won two World Series (1977 and 1978). He began his career with the Angels and wrapped it with the Rangers, amassing a .295 batting average and 267 stolen bases.

After leading the league in steals (70) with the Angels in 1975, the Yankees acquired him (and Ed Figueroa) for Bobby Bonds via trade. Rivers posted his best season in ’76 and earned an All-Star nod.

And I don’t know if anyone remembers the ESPN’s 2007 mini series The Bronx is Burning, but I loved the way Leonard Robinson played Rivers.

Jack Clark via Private Signing

I love a good nickname. “Jack the Ripper” is a great nickname. I got Clark – a four-time All Star and two-time Silver Slugger Award winner (1985, 1987) – by way of another private signing (7/28/2020).

During his mid-80s prime, Clark was one of the most feared hitters in the National League. Over an 18-year career, Clark hit .267 with 340 home runs, 332 doubles, and 1,180 RBI.

Tony Armas, Ebay pickup

I scored Armas as a super-cheap pickup through Ebay.

Armas was a top power hitter of the early 80s. He was a two-time All Star and twice led the American League in homers (1981, 1984). In 1984, he also was the AL RBI leader and won a Silver Slugger Award for his efforts.

From 1980 to 1985, Armas hit more home runs (187) than any other American League player.

He was, however, hampered by injuries. He missed 302 games to the disabled list (12 visits) over his 14-year career.

Enos Cabell via Private Signing

Cabell – a first- and third-baseman by trade – was also received through private signing (8/4/2020). Cabell is dubiously remembered for two things:

1. A Bill James Abstract (1983) write up where the statistician wrote “the man can’t play baseball … can’t play first, can’t play third, can’t hit, can’t run, and can’t throw.”
2. He was one of seven suspended for the entire 1986 season for admitting to cocaine abuse during the Pittsburgh drug trials. His suspension was avoided after agreeing to large anti-drug donations and community service.

With due respect to Mr. James, Cabell played 15 MLB seasons and posted a .277 batting average. That was a Skip Bayliss take.

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1981 Fleer Star Sticker Set Progress: 54 of 125 (43.2%)
Unofficially, I entered the year with a goal of getting to 50 in 2020. So this is the one thing in 2020 that’s gone as planned.