Story behind the Topps Bubble Gum Blowing Competition revealed on 'Carded'

April 18th, 2024

It's one of the greatest competitions in the history of sports. Baseball star took on baseball star in a cutthroat competition in which there could be only one winner. No, it's not the World Series -- I'm talking about the 1975 Topps Bubble Gum Blowing Competition, which was won by then-Brewers ballplayer Kurt Bevacqua.

"We spent a lot of time in the dugout — especially me," Bevacqua said. "I spent 15 years in the big leagues and I had a lot of time to spit seeds and blow bubbles."

How did the contest come about? What kind of gum did they use? (Topps baseball card gum, of course). Why does it still linger on in our collective memories? For that, check out the clip above from the latest episode of "Carded," available to stream now on MLB.TV.

Next up, Royals outfielder MJ Melendez has one very important plea: He wants his 1-of-1 World Baseball Classic card. He realized it was something he wanted in his collection while signing it for Topps, so he's offering to fly the owner of the card out to Kansas City and hook them up for batting practice in exchange for the one-of-a-kind collectible.

So far, no owner has been found. Could it be you?

Melendez wasn't the only player during Spring Training who was hunting for cards, though. MLB Network's Greg Amsinger got together with Evan Carter, Freddie Freeman, A's prospect Max Muncy -- you know, the other Max Muncy -- and Colson Montgomery to rip open some packs.

And in perhaps the only trade of its kind, Amsinger completed a swap of his own signed card for one of Royals star Bobby Witt Jr's:

There are plenty of card sets that come out each year for every kind of collector: There's Heritage, Chrome, Bowman and Allan & Ginter -- just to name a few. But there is one card set that seems to define card collecting: Topps Series One. Alex Giaimo looks at some of her favorites from this year's set and breaks down some of the cards you should be chasing:

Mister Cartoon might be better known for his tattoo and graffiti art, but after taking part in Topps Project 2020, he's a celebrity in the baseball card world, too. Cartoon discusses how he approached making designs that would usually "never make it onto a Topps baseball card."

Finally, the episode ends as it always must: With the pack rip. This time, Freeman and Amsinger tear into some vintage packs and get wild and wooly with a bunch of glorious mustaches.

For more "Carded" and other MLB.TV shows, click here.