In 1973, amidst the usual fare of baseball cards depicting real-life players, Donruss threw a curveball with its "Baseball Super Freaks" sticker set. This offering tapped into the era's love for monster hot rod art and caricature, presenting a bizarre and humorous collection of grotesque characters populating the baseball field. The set remains a quirky and memorable entry in the world of non-sport trading cards, notable for its distinctive artwork, confusing series variations, and nostalgic appeal.

A History of Oddballs and Artistic License

The "Baseball Super Freaks" emerged during a period when Donruss was actively producing various "Odd Rods" style sticker series. These sets, like "Odder Odd Rods" and "Silly Cycles," featured monstrous or exaggerated figures interacting with vehicles or in outlandish scenarios, characterized by large heads, giant eyeballs, and sprawling tongues. The "Baseball Super Freaks" extended this artistic theme to America's pastime, replacing stoic athletes with a motley crew of creatively named freaks.

The set was released in at least two series, a point that has generated considerable confusion among collectors for decades regarding their sequence, card count, and back colors. Wax packs typically contained five sticker-cards and a stick of bubble gum. Interestingly, the wrappers for both series are believed to have featured the same two character artworks, adding to the initial identification challenge.

Through dedicated collector research, particularly discussions and evidence presented in online forums like Non-Sport Update, a clearer picture has emerged. It's now generally believed that:

• Series 1 consisted of 44 stickers with white backs. The artwork for some characters featured on the series wrapper, such as #3 "Shecky the Short Stop," #9 "Sam the Switch Hitter," and #43 "Foul Ball Fred," are part of this initial release.

• Series 2 contained 42 stickers and featured yellow/gold backs (sometimes misremembered or initially listed as orange by some price guides).

Each sticker showcased a uniquely grotesque baseball-themed character with a humorous name often displayed prominently within an oval or banner on the card front. Examples include "Norris the Nibbler," "Arnie the Agile," "Oink the Ump," "Barney Bigmouth," "Monte the Mole," and "Hot Breath Harrigan," among many others. The artwork was vibrant and cartoonish, designed to amuse and perhaps slightly revolt young collectors.

Value and Rarity: How Super is the Investment?

The 1973 Donruss "Baseball Super Freaks" stickers are not among the most expensive vintage non-sport sets, but they hold a steady appeal for collectors of "Odd Rods" genre items and vintage novelties.

• Individual Stickers: Ungraded single stickers can often be found for a few dollars each, with prices varying based on condition and the specific character. Common characters in played-with condition will be at the lower end, while well-centered, clean examples of more popular freaks can command slightly more.

• Complete Sets: Complete sets of either series, particularly in Very Good-Excellent to Near Mint condition, are more valuable. Auction listings and dealer prices can range from $50 to over $150 for a complete series, depending on overall condition and whether it's the 44-card white-back series or the 42-card yellow/gold-back series. The 44-card series has sometimes been referred to as the "scarcer" of the two.

• Graded Stickers: Professionally graded (e.g., by PSA) high-condition stickers will naturally fetch higher prices. However, the population of graded "Baseball Super Freaks" is relatively low, meaning top-grade examples are not commonly encountered.

• Unopened Packs: Unopened wax packs are rare and highly sought after by collectors, commanding premium prices when they surface.

• Original Artwork: The original artwork created for these stickers is exceptionally rare and can be quite valuable. For instance, a piece of original art for one of the "Baseball Super Freaks" characters sold for $239 at a Lelands auction.

Freaky Fun Facts & Oddities

• The Great Series Debate: The most significant "oddity" surrounding this set is the long-standing confusion about which series came first and the correct card counts and back colors. It took years of collector discussion and the examination of sealed pack evidence to arrive at the current understanding.

• Artistic Lineage: The "Baseball Super Freaks" are a clear thematic continuation of Donruss's popular "Odd Rods" stickers, applying the same exaggerated, grotesque art style to a different theme.

• What's in a Name (Oval)?: Some cards featured the character's name within an oval design on the front, while others did not, a variation that initially added another layer to the series identification puzzle.

• Donruss's Eclectic Mix: In the early 1970s, Donruss was a significant player in both sports and non-sports cards, not afraid to venture into humorous and offbeat territory like the "Super Freaks" alongside their more traditional offerings. The company later became part of Panini America.

The 1973 Donruss "Baseball Super Freaks" sticker set stands as a testament to a more whimsical and less conventional era in trading card history. For those who remember them from their childhood or collectors who appreciate the bizarre and artistic freedom of 1970s novelties, these freaks of the diamond continue to hold a unique charm.

Sources:

• Allender, Jeff. "Baseball Super Freaks, 1st" and "Baseball Super Freaks, 2nd." Jeff Allender's House Of Checklists (nslists.com). Accessed May 15, 2025.

• Discussion forums on Non-Sport Update (nonsportupdate.infopop.cc), particularly threads focused on identifying 1973 Donruss Baseball Super Freaks series. Specific user contributions like those from 'cardsharp' were instrumental in clarifying series details.

• Auction listings and sales data from eBay.com, COMC.com (Check Out My Collectibles), Lelands.com, and auctions.vintagenonsports.com.

• Population reports and auction price realized data from PSAcard.com (Professional Sports Authenticator).

• Beckett.com for set information on "1973 Donruss Baseball Super Freaks Series 2."

• Kuersteiner, Kurt. "Odd Rods Trading cards by Donruss. A retrospective/ review." The Wrapper Magazine (via tripod.com). (While focused on "Odd Rods," this provides context for the art style and Donruss's output of the era).