In 1988, Bill Ripken played for the Baltimore Orioles and decided in order to find his bat easier among the others, he would write something on the bat knob no one could mistake for their own. Rather than writing his jersey number or his initials, he wrote “Fuck Face”. On the day his picture was taken for his Fleer trading card, he was using that bat and the words made it onto the cards released to the public. Fleer tried to conceal the error due to the outcry from parents and schools with a black box, black scribble, whiteout, and a white scribble. Fleer even cut parts out of the card to mark it for removal from packs. Since its initial release, it has become one of the most iconic sports cards of the 80s and has influenced pop culture in numerous ways from art to music and more!

The “F-Face Art Project” started after I no longer had any cards to collect after completing the collection of 1989 Fleer Bill Ripken variations, so I decided to see if I could commission artists to create new cards in their own unique styles. The idea came to me after seeing the Topps Project 70 / 2020 sets featuring Ermsy and Keith Shore’s artwork. Both Ermsy and Keith Shore have contributed artwork to this project too as well as numerous other fantastic artists!

No. Although to be an official “F-Face Art” card, the bat must have “Fuck Face” on the knob. Here is a list of all the words on the bat knobs on this website:

Asshole
Cal’s Lil Bro
Chicks Dig the Long Ball
Chimichanga
Duck Face
Fish Face
FQCH FACE
Freckle Face
Fuck Face
Fuck You
Fucked Face
Fun Face
Furr Face
Fuzz Face
Hug Face
Iron Man
Phlegm Face
Pig Face (In Japanese)
Poop
Stay Home
Yak Face

Simply fill out the contact form on this website or contact me on Instagram at @koconnor1976 and let’s chat!

Hello,

I’m interested in commissioning your rendition of the 1989 Fleer Bill Ripken F-Face baseball card in your unique style as a sketch card or art card. It would need to show both Bill Ripken and the bad words on the bat. I’m not really interested in parodies (i.e. other characters instead of Bill Ripken). As long as the card has Bill Ripken and the bat with words in some form, that is what I’m looking for. It can be funny, weird, gross, obscene, serious, abstract, or realistic…whatever you want!

You can read about the original card here: http://www.billripken.com

There are 90+ other artists participating. See the artist list and some of the work here: https://www.calripkenjr.net/f-face

What would your rate be for a signed 2.5 inch x 3.5 inch sketch card, art on paper currency, or digital art card (physical mailed card required)?

I would really like to add your work to this project and would be interested in anything you would like to do!

Thanks!
Kevin

Artwork should ideally be placed in a Card Saver I, or in an alternate way that prevents any movement, between pieces of rigid cardboard. Tape the cardboard together to prevent the card from moving from between the cardboard. Place the cardboard in a small box with packing peanuts or crumpled paper to prevent movement. Ship the box with tracking to ensure safe delivery!

NOTE: Do not simply send the card in an envelope or a padded mailer. The card WILL be damaged! The damage will be creases or corner dings and that is terrible for card value. Please ship responsibly!