Sy Berger is considered the father of the modern-day baseball card. He died Sunday in Rockville Centre, N.Y., his family has announced (via nytimes.com). Berger was 91 years old.Baseball cards had been around since the 19th century, but during the 1950s, Berger unveiled Topps baseball cards in order to push taffy. The following year, Topps switched out the taffy to gum. Eventually, the cards became more popular than the gum and nowadays baseball cards are sold without gum.Berger is credited with the design of modern cards -- in terms of size and making the pictures color instead of black and white. He also decided to put stats on the back and player autographs on the front, along with the pictures of the players.Not only that, but Berger began locking up players on exclusive deals with Topps in order to drive out competition.Here's a biography video of Berger by Topps:
Matt Snyder/CBS Sports
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