Big League Chew bubblegum first hit the market back in 1980 and at the time, came in only a single flavor. Since then, quite a number of flavor extensions have been released with a few of them becoming part of a long-reigning standard Big League Chew assortment like grape and watermelon. Still other flavors have seen their glory days pass them by and been put into retirement.
Today, I’m happy to report that two previously-retired Big League Chew flavors have made a triumphant return in 2014: Slammin’ Strawberry and Curveball Cotton Candy!
Both Big League Chew Slammin’ Strawberry and Curveball Cotton Candy were most recently on store shelves about a decade ago. Since that time we can assume they’ve been enjoying a relaxed retirement full of career recollections. So before we get to their triumphant return, let’s take a look at the origins of Big League Chew Strawberry and Cotton Candy flavors.
Big League Chew Strawberry was actually one of the very first BLC flavor spinoffs. It joined Original and Grape as one of the early 1980’s flavors, and featured a package with a Bill Mayer-illustrated mascot:
Amurol – Big League Chew Strawberry – Free Bat & Ball Set – bubblegum package – 1992
Big League Chew Curveball Cotton Candy on the other hand didn’t make it’s first appearance until much later – most likely right around 1999-2001. Unfortunately, I don’t have an original Curveball Cotton Candy Big League Chew package in my collection, but I did find this image in my archives.
Big League Chew Cotton Candy – Image source unknown.
Since taking over the Big League Chew license from Wrigley, Ford Gum has been pretty creative, releasing a number of fun product extensions like bubblegum pops and bubblegum balls. Even so, I was still surprised when I came across these out-of-retirement flavors. Though it initially caused me to do a double-take, I was pleasantly surprised when I looked down and saw this staring back at me:
BLC – Cotton Candy and Strawberry return POP display – Summer 2014
Here are scans of the two packs:
Ford Gum – Big League Chew Curveball Cotton Candy – 2.12 oz bubble gum pouch candy package – Summer 2014
Ford Gum – Big League Chew Slammin’ Strawberry – 2.12 oz bubble gum pouch candy package – Summer 2014
The main package artwork for Slammin’ Strawberry and Curveball Cotton Candy has not changed from the versions that were on shelves a decade ago, but the rest of the design has been brought up-to-date with current Big League Chew packaging. Most notable is the addition of the “Official Bubble Gum of Ripken Baseball” across the top — an indication of Big League Chew’s association with Cal Ripken’s youth baseball enterprise.
It’s pretty awesome to see these two flavors come out of retirement. And who knows, with any luck we’ll eventually get to see even more forgotten flavors (or new ones) make the Big League Chew scene. Here’s hoping!
For those keeping score, this brings the variety of currently-available Big League Chew flavors to a total of six! Here’s the standard four:
Ford Gum – Big League Chew – standard flavor assortment – 2014
That’s everything for today’s post and the return of these two retired Big League Chew flavors. See you next time!
Where can I purchase the retired flavors ??
Leslie, If you’re referring to the two flavors that have come out of retirement? I found them at Five Below.
As to other flavors that are still currently retired? You cannot purchase those.
Strawberry is my all-time favorite BLC flavor, it’s just another one of my holy grails that have been discontinued (see: Bubble Jug). Great news to hear that it’s back, but I’ve yet to see it in any stores or online. Have any information about when it’s releasing?
Donny,
Strawberry and Cotton Candy Big League Chew are already back out.
I’ve only seen them at one store so far: Five Below.
Hopefully they’ll be arriving a store near you soon.
Jason
I know this response is mega behind, but i guess they didn’t stay out of retirement for very long. Cotton Candy is extremely hard to find (And the onl flavor BLC doesn;t sell on their site for some reason) and Strawberry is back into retirement completely.
What year did GRAPE flavor come out?Thanks so much!
Off the top of my head, I believe it was 1981, when Grape was added.
Thank you Jason ,I thought it was 81 too:)