1989 Fleer Baseball #381 Randy Johnson Ad Blacked Out

Randy Johnson’s 1989 card and all its variations are amongst the most chased cards from the era. Over 12 clearly defined versions, an aura of mystery, and Fleer’s rush to cover up an accidental Marlboro advertisement. While collectors pulled and hoarded cards from 1989 Fleer packs, they missed something important. A variation in card #381 Johnson had unknowingly posed in front of the Marlboro advertisement board. His pose and the picture’s angle ensured the word Marlboro was unobstructed and clearly visible over his left shoulder For obvious reasons, Fleer couldn’t allow a cigarette advertisement on a trading card. Children consisted of the vast majority of collectors in the 80s. Fleer stopped production and attempted to cover up the word in later print runs. There are 12 clearly defined variations of the 1989 Randy Johnson card Fleer’s subsequent attempt to cover up the stubborn Marlboro logo was to place a black box around the logo. This “box” varies in size; in several cases.