A little history about my collection: I collected religiously until about 2002, before I began a new love in journalism. I’ve added several thousands of cards since, but many of them don’t really interest me. I also used to follow baseball religiously until I began my journalism career, so the collecting went hand-in-hand with it.

The general gist of it is that I enjoy collecting players who played during the 1990s and earlier, with only a few exceptions. There are players who were rookies in the late 1990s who continued to have cards into the 2010s, and I’ve missed out in collecting their cards since. Lots of them make up the more recent cards on my list.

I don’t follow a whole lot of professional sports anymore, having kept to high school and small college sports with my journalism career. However, I do enjoy following the local players and those who I had the opportunity to cover their games over the years. Likewise, and perhaps most importantly, I don’t care for the current state of the collecting hobby – box breaks, sold-out Walmart shelves, colors of the rainbow variations, and all of the bells and whistles. That would be a full-time job for me, and while it’s great to see people engage in that line of work, that’s just not me.

I collect to collect. It used to be all about quantity, but that backfired very quickly with the crash of the hobby. Pictured at the top of the post are my baseball card binders. That’s just 15% of my collection. The other 85%, the really, really low-end of the collection, is awaiting resale of some sort, cards that have served their personal purpose to me and are ready for a new home.

Much of my collection involves collecting player’s career team arcs. For each player I choose to collect, I would like to have one card of that player for each team they have played for. See my post about Tommy and Willie Davis for an explanation of what this means.

***What is an “Interested In” List?***

It is a list of baseball cards that I have an interest in adding to my collection. Notice that I did not flat out say that I WANT to add the cards to my collection. I prefer to look at the card with my own two eyes before making a decision to buy it. I always get the feeling that dealers see a card on my list and tell me, “but you want it, so buy it.” I am VERY careful about buying cards. I have to be extra certain that I am getting a deal that is comforting to me before actually buying them. The list used to be called a “Want List” until dealers began to pressure me into buying cards at times that I was not comfortable.

Much of my collecting story deals with the past. But what about the present and future?

Two of the binders have cards that are “booked” at less than $1. The other four have cards that are “booked” for $1 or more. Not all of the cards are in mint condition, but I have them just to say that I have them.

Collecting goal No. 1: Upgrade current “non-dollar” cards by value. I have certain cards of players on certain teams that are less than $1. Example: I originally had a 1994 Collector’s Choice card of Jack Morris from his Indians days. I recently found a 1994 Pinnacle Museum Collection parallel card of him that was worth more than $1. I added the new Morris card and I removed the other Morris card into a sale pile.

Collecting goal No. 2: Build PCs of local players. There are certain players who have a permanent spot on my Want List. Those players are as follows … Gary Kolb, Dan Kolb, Jake Junis, Seth Blair, Steve Eddy, Danny Matznick, Mike Foltynewicz and Eduardo Acosta. If I know of any other Sterling and Rock Falls players with minor league baseball cards, they will be added to that list. I don’t actively search for those players when I’m out buying, but when I wind up stumbling upon their cards, I immediately put them in my buy pile.

Because of Junis’ and Foltynewicz’s active careers, as well as Blair’s comeback career, these three players serve as the reason why I continue to collect. These are the three players I keep the most up to date on.

Collecting goal No. 3: Tell a history of baseball. Many cards in my collection are reminders of several unique baseball feats. Not all are highlight cards, but they have an interesting story to show. I enjoy finding records and having a card of the player from the year after achieving the record (as the stat is incorporated in the back of that card).

In addition to the three current active players, one of the other interesting reasons why I continue to have at least some eye on pro baseball is to learn of new records being set. My journalism and history passions make me root, in a way, for interesting storylines to happen. As long as it’s not one of those ugly, alphabet soup sabermetric stats, I’ll keep an eye on it.

For example: Albert Pujols needs another 150 RBIs or so to surpass Hank Aaron for the all-time mark. Can he do it, if he continues for another 3 years?

Another example: Tim Anderson seems to hit a lot of first-pitch-of-the-game home runs. What’s the all-time mark for that exact statistic? If he has it, what year did he break it? That’s the card I would be looking for.

Collecting goal No. 4: Complete the List …

Enjoy!

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Primary List (Team cards are below in a separate list)

NOTE: Cards in BOLD are those from a flagship (“main”) set, and are more widely available than the others.

1909 T-206 Frank Shaughnessy
1915 Cracker Jack, Ward Miller
1932 Cubs Team Issue, Leroy Herrman
1940 Play Ball, Bob Johnson
1941 Double Play, Nels Potter
1951 Bowman, Virgil Trucks
1952 Bowman, Bob Cain
1953 Topps, Virgil Trucks
1955 Indians Golden Stamps, Hank Greenberg
1957 Orioles Postcards, Billy Goodman
1960 Topps, Red Sox coaches
1960 Nu-Cards, Eddie Gaedel
1961 Fleer, Joe McGinnity
1961 Post, Harvey Kuenn (Indians)
1961 Indians Team Issue, Luke Appling (Coach)
1962 Post, Frank Thomas
1963 Orioles Postcards, Luke Appling (Coach)
1964 Topps, Gary Kolb (permanent entry, collecting as many as possible)
1964 Topps, Wilbur Wood
1966 Dodgers Records, Walter O’Malley/Claude Osteen
1967 Topps, Tommy Helms
1968 Yankees Photos SCFC, Rocky Colavito
1969 Topps Stamps, Hoyt Wilhelm
1969 A’s Black and White, Joe DiMaggio (Coach)
1969 Senators Team Issue, Nellie Fox (Coach)
1970 Topps, Adolfo Phillips
1972 Topps, Hector Torres
1974 Royals Postcards, Orlando Cepeda
1975 Angels Postcards, Whitey Herzog (mgr.)
1975 Angels Postcards, Don Drysdale (Broadcaster)
1975 Indians Team Issue, Larry Doby (Coach)
1976 Topps, John Montefusco
1976 English’s Chicken bucket lid, Ken Holtzman
1976 Chicago Greats, Bill Veeck
1976 Laughlin Indianapolis Clowns, Nancy Miller
1976 Laughlin Indianapolis Clowns, Toni Stone
1977 Topps, Mariners coaches card (Vada Pinson)
1977 Yankees Burger King, Mike Torrez
1977 Yankees Burger King, Jimmy Wynn
1978 SSPC, Larry Doby (Coach)
1978 Indians Team Issue, Willie Horton
1979 Blue Jays Bubble Yum, Bobby Doerr (coach)
1980 O-Pee-Chee, Ralph Garr
1980 Mariners Postcards, Bill Mazeroski (coach)
1980 Brewers Team Issue, Frank Howard (coach)
1982 Donruss, Vada Pinson (Coach)
1983 O-Pee-Chee, Randy Jones
1983 Renata Galasso Cracker Jack, Ward Miller
1983 Royals Postcards, Rocky Colavito
1984 Donruss, Joe Carter
1984 Braves Police, Luke Appling (coach)
1985 Royals Team Issue, John Schuerholz (GM)
1986 White Sox Coke, Ken Harrelson
1988 Donruss Yankees Team Set, Jose Cruz
1988 Giants Mother’s Cookies, Phil Garner
1989 Giants Mother’s Cookies, Goose Gossage
1990 Tigers Team Issue, Vada Pinson (coach)
1991 Pacific Senior League, Jim Rice
1993 Conlan, Leroy Herrman
1993 Conlan, Nels Potter
1993 Finest Refractors, Pat Listach
1993 Topps, Derek Jeter
1993 Topps, Tony Perez (Mgr.)
1993 Topps, Don Baylor/Gene Lamont (Mgrs.)
1993 Ted Williams, Jim Bouton
1993 Marlins Publix, Vada Pinson (coach) (+ others)
1994 Upper Deck American Epic, Marvin Miller
1994 Ted Williams, Buck O’Neil
1995 Brewers Police, Bob Uecker
1995 Upper Deck Trade, Willie McGee
1995-96 Fritsch AAGPBL #252 Faye Dancer
1995-96 Fritsch AAGPBL #61 Dottie Ferguson
1995-96 Fritsch AAGPBL #416 Dorothy Kamenshek

Note:
Many cards after 1996 also come in different parallel (chrome, refractor, etc.) and variation (multi-color, special stamp, etc.) forms, and players sometimes may also be featured in insert sets within the same brand. While those are often glamorous, I prefer to have the simple base card as it is cheaper.

1996 Pinnacle FanFest, Bud Selig
1996 Collector’s Choice, Howard Johnson
1997 Marlins Pacific, Jim Leyland
1997 Ultra, Sid Fernandez
1998 Pacific Online, Kevin Mitchell
1998 Pacific Invincible Team Checklists, Julio Franco (+ others)
1999 Fleer, Jim Abbott
2000 Topps season highlights, Jesse Orosco
2000 Topps All-Star Rookie Team, Dwight Gooden
2000 Skybox Dominion, Danny Kolb & Kelly Dransfeldt
2000 Brewers Postcards, Rod Carew (Coach)
2001 Padres Postcards, Alan Trammell (Coach)
2002 Fleer Tradition, Tim Raines (Sr.)
2002 Topps, Jose Canseco
2002 Topps, Hal McRae (Mgr.)
2002 Topps, Buddy Bell (Mgr.)
2002 Topps, Don Baylor (Mgr.)
2002 Fleer Mets 40th Anniversary, Ralph Kiner
2002 Victory, Lenny Harris
2002 Diamondbacks Keebler, Robin Yount (+ other coaches)
2003 Topps Total, Jesse Orosco
2003 Topps Traded, Joe Girardi
2003 Upper Deck 40-Man, Ron Gant
2004 MLB Showdown Pennant Run (all-star), Dan Kolb
2004 Fleer Tradition, Todd Zeile
2005 Topps, Roberto Alomar
2006 Topps, Dusty Baker (Mgr.)
2006 Topps Hit Parade, Ruben Sierra
2006 Upper Deck, Javy Lopez
2007 Topps, Johan Santana
2007 Topps, Buddy Bell (Mgr.)
2007 Upper Deck, Jeff Conine
2007 Upper Deck First Edition, Kenny Lofton
2008 Topps Update, Sean Casey
2008 Topps Cubs Gift Set, Alan Trammell (Coach)
2008 Topps Heritage, Luis Gonzalez
2008 Topps Year in Review, Julio Franco
2008 Topps Year in Review, Julio Franco/Roger Clemens
2008 Topps Year in Review, Prince Fielder
2008 Topps Year in Review, Rick Ankiel
2008 Upper Deck Yankee Stadium Legacy, Frankie Crosetti
2009 O-Pee-Chee, Jason Varitek
2009 Upper Deck, Richie Sexson
2009 Upper Deck, Jim Edmonds
2009 Upper Deck, Kenny Rogers
2010 Topps, Andruw Jones
2010 Topps Update, Jim Edmonds
2010 Topps Heritage, Joe Torre
2010 Upper Deck Season Biography, John Smoltz
2011 Topps, Jamie Moyer
2011 Topps, Omar Visquel
2012 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions, Ross Barnes
2012 Topps, Jason Giambi
2012 Topps Update, Jamie Moyer
2013 Topps, Andruw Jones
2013 Topps Heritage, Jim Leyland (Mgr.)
2013 Topps Heritage, Dusty Baker (Mgr.)
2014 Topps Update Fond Farewells, Omar Vizquel
2015 Stadium Club, Adam Dunn
2015 Stadium Club, Jason Giambi
2015 Panini Cooperstown, Pat Gillick
2016 Topps Heritage, Bruce Bochy
2018 Topps Update (all-star) J.A. Happ
2020 Topps Big League Park Oddities, Edwin Jackson

Pending possible production:
2023 Topps, Jake Junis (Giants)
2023 card of Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright together

Topps Team Cards
1957 Topps, Dodgers team card, feat. Jackie Robinson
1976 Topps, Angels team card, feat. Manager Dick Williams
2005 Topps, Mariners team card, feat. Coach Paul Molitor

Minor League Cards

My minor league list includes local players, some established pro players who played for regional minor league teams (Clinton, Quad Cities, Rockford); and, in one case, Vince Coleman’s final stolen base count which was not published in any of his last major league cards.

1962 Tulsa Oilers Pepsi, Gary Kolb
1963 Tulsa Oilers Pepsi, Gary Kolb
1975 Quad City Angels TCMA, Willie Aikens
1975 Clinton Pilots, Jim Leyland
1976 Quad City Angels TCMA, Steve Eddy
1976 Quad City Angels TCMA, Joe Maddon
1976 Quad City Angels TCMA, Carney Lansford
1976 Dubuque Packers TCMA, Bruce Bochy
1977 Clinton Dodgers TCMA, Mike Scioscia
1977 Clinton Dodgers TCMA, Dave Stewart
1979 Clinton Dodgers TCMA, Alan Wiggins
1980 Salt Lake Sea Gulls TCMA, Steve Eddy
1983 Quad City Cubs TCMA, Shawon Dunston
1983 Renata Galasso T-206 Reprint, Frank Shaughnessy
1986 Waterloo Indians ProCards, Dave Bresnahan
1989 Quad City Angels Best, Jim Edmonds
1993 Helena Brewers ProCards, Eduardo Acosta
1993 Rockford Royals ProCards, Johnny Damon
1994 Rockford Royals Classic, Mike Sweeney
1996 Charleston Riverdogs Team issue, Dan Kolb
1997 Florida State League Top Prospects, Dan Kolb
1998 Tulsa Drillers Team Issue, Dan Kolb
1998 Grandstand Memphis Redbirds, Vince Coleman
2002 Quad City River Bandits Grandstand, Joe Mauer
2008 Cotuit Kettleers Choice, Seth Blair
2009 Cotuit Kettleers Choice, Seth Blair
2010 Tristar Obak, Bernice Gera
2010 Appalachian League Prospects Grandstand, Mike Foltynewicz
2012 Burlington Royals Grandstand, Jake Junis
2014 Lexington Legends Brandt, Jake Junis

Other baseball cards

This list is sorted by team. In trying to collect a player’s career team arc, I’m missing teams for several players. Players in italics are vintage-era players.

Angels: Ron Gant
Astros: Vinny Castilla, John Franco
Athletics: Eric Karros, Tim Raines
Blue Jays: Randy Myers, Ruben Sierra
Braves: Bobby Bonilla, Mike Foltynewicz (rookie cards only), Wally Joyner
Brewers: Jim Abbott
Cardinals: Fernando Valenzuela
Cubs: Eric Karros, Kenny Lofton
Dodgers: Phil Garner, Devon White, David Wells, Todd Zeile, Gil Hodges
Giants: Doyle Alexander, Steve Finley, Ryan Klesko, Kenny Lofton, Reggie Sanders
Indians/Guardians: Harold Baines, Chuck Finley, Jeff Kent
Marlins: Todd Zeile
Mets: Shawn Green, Orel Hershiser, Todd Zeile
Orioles: Todd Zeile
Padres: Kevin Brown, Vinny Castilla, Jim Edmonds, Randy Myers, Reggie Sanders
Rangers: Ken Caminitti, Kenny Lofton, Todd Zeile
Reds: Terry Francona
Red Sox: Dan Kolb, Jamie Moyer, David Wells
Rockies: Steve Finley, Jason Giambi, Ron Gant, Howard Johnson, Bret Saberhagen, Greg Vaughn
Royals: Reggie Sanders
Tigers: Luis Gonzalez, Hideo Nomo
Twins: Don Baylor
White Sox: Ruben Sierra
Yankees: Andruw Jones, Rick Reuschel, Todd Zeile