Tweet
Back to the Minors
The 90's were the Industrial Revolution of Sports Cards. Card companies introduced memorabilia cards, autographs, and a variety of new advanced technologies to cards. We also saw the rise in popularity of inserts, parallels and minor league cards.
I remember seeing minor league trading cards in the 80's, but outside of a few singles in dealers' display cases... I didn't really have access to any for many years.
Then in the early 90's... ProCards, CMC, and Best issued minor league baseball cards that were distributed in wax packs and the floodgates were opened. I divvied up my pocket change and purchased as many of these packs as I could afford looking for Ben McDonalds and Jeff Bagwells.
Unfortunately these products never really panned out, however that doesn't make them less cool. I've recently been craving minor league cards from the 80's and 90's and thanks to overproduction... many are very affordable.
1990 Best #1
I picked up this card of The Big Hurt for 75ยข on Sportlots. It's not his first minor league issue, but at least it's from his rookie year.
1983 Lynchburg Mets TCMA #10
This card was a little more expensive. I picked up the entire 23 card team set for $17 (+ $3 shipping) back in October. This set features the first cards of both Gooden and Lenny Dykstra. I had seen this card in a mid 80's issue of Baseball Cards Magazine and have wanted a copy every since.
And finally my most recent minor league purchase...
1994 Fleer ProCards #633
Wrapping things up is a card I've wanted for two decades. Jordan was at best a baseball novelty item, but his popularity among sports fans made this card a pretty popular novelty item. You can typically find these for a couple of bucks, while complete sets fall in the $5 to $10 range.
I'm in the process of picking up a few other cheap minor league cards of notable guys from the 80's and 90's. I'd love to add a 1983 Fritsch Visalia Oaks Kirby Puckett or a 1986 ProCards Pittsfield Cubs Greg Maddux, but I'm thinking a 1991 ProCards Chipper Jones is a little more realistic.
What about you guys...
Happy Wednesday and sayonara!
More...
I remember seeing minor league trading cards in the 80's, but outside of a few singles in dealers' display cases... I didn't really have access to any for many years.
Then in the early 90's... ProCards, CMC, and Best issued minor league baseball cards that were distributed in wax packs and the floodgates were opened. I divvied up my pocket change and purchased as many of these packs as I could afford looking for Ben McDonalds and Jeff Bagwells.
Unfortunately these products never really panned out, however that doesn't make them less cool. I've recently been craving minor league cards from the 80's and 90's and thanks to overproduction... many are very affordable.
1990 Best #1
I picked up this card of The Big Hurt for 75ยข on Sportlots. It's not his first minor league issue, but at least it's from his rookie year.
1983 Lynchburg Mets TCMA #10
This card was a little more expensive. I picked up the entire 23 card team set for $17 (+ $3 shipping) back in October. This set features the first cards of both Gooden and Lenny Dykstra. I had seen this card in a mid 80's issue of Baseball Cards Magazine and have wanted a copy every since.
And finally my most recent minor league purchase...
1994 Fleer ProCards #633
Wrapping things up is a card I've wanted for two decades. Jordan was at best a baseball novelty item, but his popularity among sports fans made this card a pretty popular novelty item. You can typically find these for a couple of bucks, while complete sets fall in the $5 to $10 range.
I'm in the process of picking up a few other cheap minor league cards of notable guys from the 80's and 90's. I'd love to add a 1983 Fritsch Visalia Oaks Kirby Puckett or a 1986 ProCards Pittsfield Cubs Greg Maddux, but I'm thinking a 1991 ProCards Chipper Jones is a little more realistic.
What about you guys...
Anyone collect or used to collect minor league cards?
Happy Wednesday and sayonara!
More...
Comment