1982 Fleer Wax Pack (BBCE)

36 packs per box, 15 cards per pack

The whole idea of standing pat is apparent as soon as you look at the checklist. At 660 cards, 1982’s sophomore Fleer release is the same as 1981. Organized by team, it was a distinct feature that stayed.

Design-wise, fronts are similar but a little different. There’s a sense of continuity. The rounded borders frame photos in. Rather than the ball icon at the bottom of the 1981 set, there’s a shift to more of a small plaque for the players’ names. The backs might be the strongest part of 1982 Fleer Baseball. They’re bright and bursting with blue and yellow.

Photography is not a highlight in this set. There’s an abundance of murky and mundane images. And then there’s Jack Morris. The cropping is certainly memorable and breaks a lot of norms. Whether it’s in a good way is a matter of opinion.