Collecting and Translating 1981 Calbee Series 1 (Part 1)

Unlike its quirky 1980 predecessor, the 1981 Calbee set was the first to be printed fully in the smaller card size that would remain standard for the decade. It also returns to a more standard makeup. Whereas ‘80 was surprisingly even with its team allocation, ‘81 looks more familiar with the Central League hogging about 70% of the set, and the Yomiuri Giants alone getting about 30% of all the cards. Despite this, ‘81 does have a quirk of its own: two main backs in completely different colors. Cards #1-50 feature magenta ink with team pennants, while cards #51-200 and #251-450 come in blue ink with team logos.

This 450-card set is definitely not as scarce card-for-card as 1980, but it is on the scarcer end of 80’s Calbee sets for sure. It has one short-printed series covering the All-Star Games complete with its own distinct back. These cards (#200-250)  are sub-numbered within the series as well. For some reason, there are two #200 cards. One of Mitsuyasu Hirano with a standard blue logo-back, and another of Akinobu Okada with an All-Star Game back.

1981 is also notable as the first Calbee set with no playing days cards of Sadaharu Oh, although he has several cards as the Giant’s new assistant manager.

I pick up ‘81 Calbees whenever I can find them, although I am only actively trying to collect all of the first 50 pennant-back cards. As with other sets, I will not be translating routine stats or data, only blurbs.

#1  Kenji Awaguchi - Outfielder (Yomiuri Giants)

Awaguchi has earned his place in right this season. He’s overcome his weakness to pitches down low in spring training and is looking to hit at least .300 with 20 homers.

 

#5  Masayuki Kakefu - Infielder (Hanshin Tigers)

Kakefu strengthened his lower body this off-season and is set burst out of last year’s slump.  Now raring to go, he’ll be aiming for the batting title this season!

 

#7  Shoji Sadaoka - Pitcher (Yomiuri Giants)

Last year, his 6th on the team, Sadaoka was a rock in the Giants rotation. This season he is looking for even more success and he’ll be going for double-digit wins.

 

#8  Gary Thomasson - Outfielder (Yomiuri Giants)

A young player with World Series championship experience during his time in the Majors. His full name is Gary Leah Thomasson.

 

#9  Yutaka Fukumoto - Outfielder (Hankyu Braves)

The “Man with the Golden Feet” is aiming to be stolen base champ 12 years running. His only rival is teammate Minoda. Minoda may have changed to uniform #1 this season, but don’t lose out to him!