2015 Donruss Baseball Provides a Blast from the Past with Nostalgic “1981” Subset

Never underestimate the transformative power of trading cards. After all, just one look at the new 1981 subset in Panini America's upcoming 2015 Donruss Baseball release and I'm jettisoned instantly more than 30 years back in time. To be sure, that 1981 Donruss Baseball design is as romantically revered as it is aesthetically simple.

Panini America 2015 Donruss Baseball 1981 Subset (2)

Never underestimate the transformative power of trading cards. After all, just one look at the new 1981 subset in Panini America’s upcoming 2015 Donruss Baseball release and I’m jettisoned instantly more than 30 years back in time. To be sure, that 1981 Donruss Baseball design is as romantically revered as it is aesthetically simple.

A bold, color border . . . that highlighter-yellow team font that screams “Early Eighties!” . . . a player-name typeface that makes Times New Roman seem exotic . . . that epic, old-school Donruss “d” . . . and great photography. It’s a classic combination that feels just as warm and cozy now as it did back in the day. And it’s the subject a 50-card subset in next Wednesday’s highly anticipated release.

And while the 1981 Donruss Baseball design certainly sings on those players who first appeared on it way back when that landmark release first arrived, it also provides a whole new perspective on the superstars of today that weren’t even born in 1981 — such as Mike Trout, David Wright, Bryce Harper, Jose Abreu and more.

But the 1981 subset is about more than fantastic fronts. It’s about true-to-the-original card backs, too. You can see exactly what we mean in the revealing preview gallery that follows. Enjoy the sneak peek and stay tuned to The Knight’s Lance tomorrow for a complete Quality Control Gallery showcasing the many splendid facets of 2015 Donruss Baseball.

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0 Replies to “2015 Donruss Baseball Provides a Blast from the Past with Nostalgic “1981” Subset”

  1. really enjoy the tribute to the old sets. Hope to continue to see more of this in the basketball. Really like the Donruss basketball this year. Thanks for sharing.

  2. now that I can relate to..I wish more could be done like these down the road. They don’t need to be fancy and futuristic. Just clean, clear, and cost friendly.

  3. Absolutely love it!! Bought some of the 1981 version a few years back. Lacks any notable rookies and the gum isn’t the greatest anymore, but an awesome set nonetheless.

        1. It was the softest of the 3 and had the best taste. Fleer was 2nd best overall in that it was soft but didn’t really have much taste. Topps was last in that it was hard and the taste was gone by the time it finally softened up. Just a baseball card gum chewing 12 year olds opinion from back in the day!!! Ahh, memories!!

      1. Yeah, I was only 2 at that time, but when I bought some packs and tried it a few years ago it pretty much just dissolved into a mushy mess in my mouth. Not very tasty anymore, either!

  4. Nice throwback effort to add some history to the product, the inclusion of Bob Gibson is interesting as he is neither an active player now nor was he in 81. Thanks Tracy!

  5. You guys need to do a “buyback” program for the gum as well. Insert special pieces of the original 1981 gum into certain packs for the lucky few who pull them! How’s that for nostalgia?

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