Below you'll find the list of cards I need for my Roberto Kelly collection.   Over his career, he played for the Yankees, Reds, Braves, Expos, Dodgers, Twins, Mariners and Rangers.  He has some cards in a Rockies uniform, but he never made it back to the majors with them and ended his career in Mexico.  Since retiring as a player, he managed the Augusta Greenjackets for three seasons before becoming the San Francisco Giants 1st Base and baserunning coach in 2008, a post he has held ever since.  An American League All-Star in 1992 with the Yankees, he achieved a rare feat by making the All-Star team again in 1993, only this time for the National League after being traded to the Reds.

     I started collecting Roberto Kelly in 1988, along with all the other Yankee rookies that year like Jay Buhner and Al Leiter.  Since all three were very promising young players, naturally the Yankees dealt them.  Somehow, the Yankees made a Bizarro World trade with the Mariners where they send Buhner and TWO OTHER PLAYERS to the M's for a single Ken Phelps.  A year later, the Yankees would then deal Phelps to the A's for a single minor league pitcher.  Leiter took a few years to settle in to the pitcher he would be for the Mets in his prime, but at least they got the best right field arm in baseball in return in Jesse Barfield.  The Buhners kept tricking into the collection for awhile, but I never really pursued it after he was traded, and Leiter just didn't pan out, so I gave up on him pretty quickly.

     But Kelly ended up being the only bright spot for the Yankees in the early 90s, as Mattingly succumbed to back problems, the pitching was terrible and Deion Sanders just never "arrived" while in New York.  I never gave up on him, even through the trades, but at the same time, I never really concentrated on him until the last few years.  So far, I've picked up 472 of his 497 total cards (based on the Trading Card Database catalogue), which puts me at about 95% complete.

     Cards that are already on the way are denoted in bold.  As always my entire Sportlots inventory is available for trade.

1990 TV Sports Mailbag

    Back in my school days, around the grades when we were expected to be able to research a subject and write a report about it, our teachers would march the class down to the library.  There the librarian would enlighten us on the wonderful world of reference books at our disposal.  The dictionary, the thesaurus (Latin for "treasure"?), the Encyclopaedia Britannica, it's much lesser used cousin, the Encyclopedia International, it's more colorful niece, the World Book Encyclopedia, an assortment of gazetteers and almanacs, and piles of other books whose covers we would never crack, were paraded out for our perusal.

     One of those resources the librarians introduced us to was the Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature, which was basically an index of mainstream American magazines.  I say "mainstream" because it included all the usual titles like Sports Illustrated, Time, People, Jet, National Geographic, Field & Steam, but never included any hobby magazines.  No references to Beckett or Sports Collectors Digest or Baseball Cards Magazine.  I always felt this left a tremendous gap in the tool belt of the average hobby researcher.  We have no organized reference guide to help us in our quests for the obscure amid the murky depth of our field.

     In an effort to fill that gap, I've begun work on an index of the baseball card magazines I own.  Hopefully, it can be expanded to encompass other sports and more recent periodicals.  If this gets any traction, maybe I'll see if I can interest one (or more) of the current hobby websites to host a copy so everyone can use it and contribute to it.  It might make a good addition to a site like BaseballCardPedia.com.

     As a work in progress, I'll start with the 1987 issues I have of Baseball Cards magazine, and use this a a venue to seek suggestions from all you out there in TV Land as to the ideal format.  Due to the sheer volume of information, this will only include references from the actual articles and columns, not the advertisements.  If anyone finds this useful, let me know and I'll proceed with this project and index the rest of the various issues I have of Baseball Cards, Baseball Hobby News, Tuff Stuff, Baseball Card News, etc.

Baseball Cards, February 1987, Issue #20, Volume 7, No. 1
Cover: Jose Canseco
Articles:
"What's New." pp20-22. sets referenced: 1986 Renata Galasso Don Mattingly, 1986 Renata Galasso Dwight Gooden, 1986 Coca Cola Los Angeles Dodgers, 1986 Southern League All-Stars, 1986 Memphis Chicks, 1986 Kondritz Ozzie Smith, 1986 Sportflics Rookies, 1986 McDonald's NFL, 1986 Lite Beer Texas Rangers, 1986 Performance Prining Texas Rangers, 1986 Texas Gold Cincinnati Reds
"On The Baseball Beat" by Irwin Cohen. pp24-2. Jose Canseco interview.
"High hard ones" by William Warren. pp30-36. 1967 Topps.
"A tip of the (baseball) cap" by Dave Miedema. p38-40. 1960s National League caps.
"1977" by Tom LaMarre.pp58-63. 1977 Topps.
"Joe Garagiola" by Paul Green. pp64-69.
"Sure-fire Investment Sports Illustrated" by Joseph Hammann. pp 70-79. Sports Illustrated magazines.

Baseball Cards, April 1987, Issue #21, Volume 7, No. 2
Cover: Don Mattingly
Articles:
"What's New." pp22-24. sets referenced: 1987 Donruss, 1987 Fleer,1987 Topps
"Years ahead of their time"  pp26-28. 1970,1972 Topps test stickers.
"Checklist: Don Mattingly". pp30-36.
"Can't beat them for price." pp38-42. 1977-1978 Royal Crown cans.
"Have you lost your marbles?" pp60-62. 1968 baseball player marbles.
"Test issue or $400 party favor?" pp64-66. 1953 Topps reprints.
"Learning about Linnets." p68. 1976 Linnett Superstars.
"Triple-play Topps test issue." pp70-71. 1968 Topps Action Stickers.
"Superstars at 1976 prices." p72. 1969 Globe Import playing cards.
"O-Pee-Chee? Topps?" pp76-77. 1977 OPC & Topps,
"With Viewmater, 'cards' came alive" by Robert L. Parker. pp78-81. Viewmaster baseball reels.
"7-Eleven cups." pp82-84.
"A scarce 'Smokey' issue." p86. 1984 Jackson Mets Smokey Bear
"A tip of the (baseball) cap" by Dave Miedema. pp88-89.  1960s American League caps.

Baseball Cards, June 1987, Issue #22, Volume 7, No. 3
Cover: Mike Schmidt
Articles:
"What's New." pp22-24. sets referenced: 1987 Star Company sets, 1987 Fleer Glossy Tin, 1987 Topps K-Mart, 1987 Fleer Headliners, 1987 Fleer boxed sets, 1987 Topps Boardwalk & Baseball, Indiana University All-Time Basketball Greats, LSU baseball/basketball, USL athletics set, David Lipscomb College baseball set, 1987 Big Apple Pete Incaviglia, 1987 Topps Rookies.
"Spring Has Sprung" by Dave Niven. pp26-28. spring training.
"Making Misteaks" by Tom LaMarre. pp30-34. error cards.
"Autographs: Mets worst?" by Dave Niven.  p36-38.  Mets autographing habits.
"Grand old players, brand-new chance" by Paul M. Green. pp60-68. Hall of Fame Veterans committee.
"Mike Schmidt." pp70-76.  Mike Schmidt checklist.
"On The Baseball Beat" by Irwin Cohen. pp78-82. Rob Deer interview.
"Jim Bunning" by Paul Green. pp84-88. interview.

Baseball Cards, July 1987, Issue #23, Volume 7, No. 4
Cover: Bo Jackson
Articles:
"'87 errors." p14-16. errors in 1987 sets
"On The Baseball Beat" by Irwin Cohen. p24-28. Cory Snyder interview.
"The BBM 100" by Kit Kiefer. pp30-50. top 100 rookies of 1987.
"What's New." pp70-72. sets referenced: 1987 Topps glossy send-in, 1987 Kay-Bee, 1987 Toys "R" Us, 1987 Woolworth's, 1987 Sportflics Team Preview, 1987 Fleer boxed sets, 1987 Topps League Leaders minis, 1987 Topps Gallery of Stars
"Autographs: Signing their lives away" by Dave Miedema. pp74-76. Hall of Famer autographing habits.
"They're back!" by Dave Steidel. pp78-80, 1987 Topps All-Star Rookies.


Baseball Cards, August 1987, Issue #24, Volume 7, No. 5
Cover: Ryne Sandberg
Articles:
"Autographs: Some sign" by Dave Miedema. pp18-20. Hall of Famer autographing habits.
"On The Baseball Beat" by Irwin Cohen. pp24-28. Ryne Sandberg interview.
"Special Report" by Bob Lemke. pp30-48.  preview of 1987 rookies by team.
"Modern-day darkhorses" by Paul M. Green. pp66-69. veteran Hall of Fame candidates.
"What's New." pp70-72. sets referenced: 1987 Syracuse Chiefs season tickets, 1987 ProCards team sets, 1987 Kraft Home Plate Heroes, 1987 Leaf, 1987 O-Pee-Chee, 1987 Classic, Sports Illustrated posters, more 1987 Fleer boxed sets.
"All-Star Cards" by Tom LaMarre. pp74-77. investment potential of All-Star cards.
"1978" by Jeffrey J. Ziegler. pp78-86. 1978 Topps.

Baseball Cards, September 1987, Issue #24, Volume 7, No. 6
Cover: Pete Incaviglia
Articles:

Baseball Cards, October 1987, Issue #26, Volume 7, No. 7
Cover: Eric Davis
Articles:
"Dick Perez" by Greg Kraeer. p14-20. profile of the artist
"What's New." pp22-24. sets referenced: 1987 Bohemian Hearth San Diego Padres, 1987 Coca Cola Chicago White Sox, 1987 Nestle, 1987 General Mills Booklets, 1987 Hostess Stickers, 1987 MSA discs, 1987 Drake's Cakes, 1987 traded and update sets, 1987 Junior Mints, 1897 Pucko Buffalo Bisons, 1987 Mother's Cookies.
"Autographs: Unhealthy" by Dave Miedema. pp26-28. Hall of Famer autographing habits.
"Milestones" by Ted Taylor. pp30-40. 1951 Bowman.
"Eric Davis." pp62-63. Eric Davis checklist.
"On The Baseball Beat" by Irwin Cohen. pp70-73. Mark McGwire interview.
"The Nuts: Baseball's funkiest, freest spirits" by June Barsky. pp74-83. Jim Bouton, Jimmy Piersall interview.

Baseball Cards, November 1987, Issue #27, Volume 7, No. 8
Cover: Wade Boggs
Articles:
"Autographs: Regular Guys" by Dave Miedema. pp18-20, Hall of Fame autographing habits.
"New Stuff." pp22-24. sets referenced: 1987 Toronto Blue Jays Fire Safety, 1987 Donruss Opening Day, 1987 Fleer Classic Miniatures, 1987 ProCards, 1987 Best minor league team sets, 1987 Columbus Clippers Police, 1987 Topps Surf books.
"The Card Game: Overrated? Underrated?" by Jeff Zeigler. pp26-29. rookie cards.
"1987 Collector's Choice Awards." pp30-32.
"Set Review: The year was 1968" by Paul M. Green. pp34-40. 1968 Topps.
"Interviews: Jay Johnstone" by Paul M. Green. pp56-61.
"On The Baseball Beat" by Irwin Cohen. pp62-65. Dwight Evans interview.
"Checklists: Stan Musial" by William Felchner. pp70-74.
"All-Stars: '62 all-stars" by Tom LaMarre. pp78-81. 1962 Topps All-Stars.

Baseball Cards, December 1987, Issue #28, Volume 7, No. 9
Cover: Kirby Puckett
Articles:
"New Stuff." pp22-24. sets referenced: 1987 Albuquerque Dukes, 1987 Everett Giants, 1987 Topps stickers, 1987 Fleer Baseball's Best boxed set, 1987 Minnesota Twins postcards, 1987 Atlanta Braves postcards, 1987 California Angels postcards, 1987 St. Louis Cardinals postcards, 1987 Topps football, 1987 Classic Baseball travel edition.
"Stuff: Rollin' numbers" by Dave Miedema, pp26-28, high number cards
"Milestones: '81 Fleer" by Ted Taylor, pp30-337, 1981 Fleer
"No. 1" by Mark Newman, pp38-42. First cards in Topps sets.
"Obscurities: Metal minis" by Bob Lemke, pp60-61, 1983-1987 Topps Gallery metal mini cards
"On The Baseball Beat" by Irwin Cohen, pp62-65, Kirby Puckett interview
"Football Cards" by Mark Rose, pp66-69.
"Raiders of the lost art" by Kit Kiefer. pp70-73. 1979-1985 Topps All-Star Rookies.

       Having renewed his value on the free agent market, after the 1991 season, Winfield headed north, and took his talents to Canada where he played a big role in a hugely talented 1992 Toronto Blue Jays team. As mentioned in an earlier post, it was with the Blue Jays that Dave finally picked up his World Series ring. However, despite having a great season with the Jays, Winfield became just another of those high profile hired guns, spending just the one season, winning the gold, and moving on to greener ($$$) pastures.

     With a new team, came another appearance in the year's update sets.  Donruss took a different approach than all the other companies, and rather than issue their update cards as a standalone boxed set, or as another series, they instead included them in specially marked 1992 factory sets.  But they didn't include the whole update set in the box, they just included four cards from the 22-card set in each box.  To help confuse matters for collectors, Donruss issued at least three different factory sets in 1992.  There was the blue box that included a few 1992 Studio preview cards.  There was a red box, sponsored by Coca-Cola (I think it included the 1992 Donruss Coca-Cola set), and there was another red box with a special sticker on the shrink wrap indicating the presense of the 1992 Donruss Update cards.

     So here you are, at the end of the 1992 season, you've already busted countless packs of 1992 Donruss.  Stacks of the blue & white cards scattered around or in sorting boxes.  And since your favorite player was traded, you know there's at least one more card to get.  But to do so, if you can't find anyone selling the singles (good luck!) you basically have to go buy "packs" of 792 (+4) cards in hopes of catching the ONE card you are looking for.   It is no wonder that the 1992 Donruss Update cards are some of the most difficult to find for collectors.


     Due to the nature of how this set was distributed, price guides hugely undervalue these cards.  It took me 3 sets to find this one.  The first set I picked up was in a blue box, because I didn't know any better.  After that wasted $10, I did a little more research to figure out what I should have been looking for.  My second set, another $12, in the proper red box, unforunately did not contain a Winfield.  I did get the McGwire, however.

     I quickly put those four cards on Sporlots, and between them, made back $10 of the $12 I had spent on the set.  That still left me with another complete 1992 Donruss set.  Sure they're much better quality than all previous years, but still, Leaf let the presses run, so there is no shortage of these and I already had several hundred cards from opening packs years ago.  In the last three years, I've managed to sell a whopping FOUR cards from this set on Sportlots.

     Thankfully, set #3 landed me the card you see above.  And another 792 useless 1992 Donruss cards.  So all told, the card above probably cost me something like $25.  And to this day, I have still never seen another.  I'm sure there are still thousands of them buried in unsold, unopened and unwanted 1992 Donruss factory sets.  A bit of maybe useful information, the UPC code on the red box sets is 0 10700 82149 2.  The much more common blue sets are 0 10700 82150 8.


     Fleer, thankfully, took the more sensible approach to issuing their update set, and as they had been doing since 1984, as a boxed set.  Much easier to find, much cheaper to pick up.

     Score and Topps did the same, which resulted in my finding the rest of Dave's traded/update cards for around $1 altogether.  Not a bad deal.  I didn't include Upper Deck's 1992 offering because they issued their cards slightly later than Donruss and Score and managed to sneak him into their Series 2 that year in his new duds.

Since the Jays had only signed him for a year, it was only a matter of time before Winfield made yet another appearance in another year of late season update sets.