Old School Design: 1979 MLB Player Slush Puppie Cups

Today's Old School Design takes a look at some classic Major League Baseball designs from Slush Puppie Cups in the 1970's. These long lost treasures feature many of the top stars from the late 1970's. Each cup has an image of an individual player and a catchy saying based on that athlete's skills. The copyright on the cups is from 1979.

These are not your ordinary designs. There have been thousands of player themed cups made over the years, but the designs and the catchy sayings make these lost treasures special. The quotes on these cups are outstanding, and here are a few examples:

J.R. Richard-Astros: "1st base looks far when you face J.R."

Tom Seaver-Reds: "Seaver never needs a reliever"

Reggie Jackson-Yankees: "When Reggie does his thing, it's baseball's greatest swing"

Dave Parker-Pirates: "Dave OUT OF THE Parker"

Jim Rice-Red Sox: "Pitchers pay the price when they face Jim Rice"

Jack Clark-Giants: "Jack Clark lights the SPARK at Candlestick Park"

The quotes are some of the corniest, yet most creative I have ever seen. They make this cup set a very unique piece of sports design history. The back of the cups feature the number of the player that is featured on the front of the cup. In addition, the classic Slush Puppie is featured as well. The back also features text that indicates the series was a set of 20 cups.

These cups are a great window to baseball from the 1970's and a great example of outstanding creative design from that era.  They provide a great trip down memory lane and provide some insight into the playing styles of these great players from one of great baseball's greatest eras.

Comments

[Frank]

dear god, these are AMAZING!

I very vaguely remember the Reggie one, but that Ron Cey cup is ridiculously awesome.

[Dave Timmons]

I have a t-shirt (youth size) from my elementary school days with the "Pitchers Pay the Price When They Face Jim Rice" slogan. I didn't realize it originated from a Slush Puppy cup. That is awesome! I need to dig that shirt out!

[Rick]

My dad worked for Slush Puppie at the time and we had cases of the cups all over the house. I was 10 at the time, and I don't think I took a sip of liquid for over a year that wasn't from one of these cups. Corny but wonderful.

And no, I don't have a single one left, so don't ask. If I had only known at the time...