100 Days of Barry Larkin
 

I'm trying to reduce purchasing, but at the same time increase appreciation of my collection. There are roughly 100 days until New Years, so I've decided to share 100 days of Barry Larkin cards and memorabilia.

Leading off is a 1986-87 rookie era bat with PSA Cert. In 1986, he would play 41 games; he collected 45 hits, 1.5 WAR, with just 21 strikeouts.

Attachment 635333

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Love it! Barry Larkin was kinda underappreciated in his era and pretty much disrespected by the Reds at the very end of his career, but still handled it all with class. An excellent shortstop and I always enjoyed watching him. He was a great one!

I've posted this before, but here's my one Barry Larkin item. 1985 Press photo, pictured while still with the University of Michigan.

Great item, thanks for sharing. UM is a missing gap in my collection, as well as 1984 Olympics. BTW, his UM Jersey is for sale in ebay with UM Cert. Another amazing item.

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Day 2: The Cincinnati Reds have routinely released a team set through Kahns hot dogs. The 1987 Kahns set includes a Larkin RC and is one of the most popular sets of the last 4 decades. Time will tell if the 2023 & 24 sets including Elly de la Cruz will overtake 1987 and 2008 (Votto).

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...725eaf8217.jpg

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Day 3: 1987 Classic Green. There is also Classic Yellow Update. Many young collectors might find board games with sports card and a finger flicker unusual, but it was common for kids when we still had to use our imagination pre-video game consoles. I got SNES in 1995. Classic is just one of many baseball themed games that have appeared throughout the decades. New sets were produced for many years.

Attachment 635522

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Day 4: 1987 Donruss Opening Day. A junk wax gimmick that still continues today, Opening Day has spread to Topps and other brands. But the crimson border looked great, rather than just a foil stamp.
Edit: it was brought to my attention that Topps ended their opening day set in 2022! I'm certain it'll come back as an insert somehow.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...272f9b3262.jpg

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Will be looking forward to updates to your thread. Being a Reds fan, Barry was my favorite active player for much of his career.

glad this is bringing you an ounce of joy! that's better than crickets chirping.

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Day 5: 1987 Donruss Rack Pack w/ Mattingly. These rack packs, and cello packs, were exciting to find with star players on the front or back. Displayed in grocery stores, drug stores, KMarts, etc, card companies were offering window shopping for cards. In 1987, the draw of this pack was Don Mattingly, on his way to a HOF career. But with the presence of time, Barry Larkin went on to have his own fine career and beat Mattingly to the gates of Cooperstown.

Attachment 635708

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Man, I never got to the packs in time to ever see a Mattingly on the front in my neck of the woods. Hell, the 1984 Topps racks were so notorious for being easily searchable, it was nearly impossible to find a pack with a Mattingly in it, even if he was in the middle of a pack, forget the front.

Anybody else find it odd that Barry's only updated set release in 1986 was by Sportflics, and his regular issue 1987 cards didn't contain a "Rated Rookie" or "Future Stars" insignia?

He was a highly touted 1st rounder, so it's not like he was sliding under the radar.

:confused:

You didn't even have to search Topps rack packs because the order of cards in them was almost always the same. So even if Mattingly or Strawberry was not on the top, if you saw one of the cards that were typically in front of him, your odds were pretty good in turning one up.

todeen - love the Barry and Donnie rack.

I absolutely love these types of threads when someone shows off their collection of their favorite player.

Recently bought the rack Pack from Net54 member BradMar48. He said he still has a bunch of stuff in storage from his days owning a shop. His quote was "I find things I forgot I had all the time."

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Day 6: 1987 Donruss with rookie era autograph. When I first saw this card I thought it was a fraud. After investigating, I discovered that this was his rookie auto, and he inscribed it with his rookie jersey #15 (also identified on his Kahns RC). I couldn't buy it fast enough.

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...f00141e4d9.jpg

I am very disappointed there isn't a 1986 Topps Update XRC. Or part of the 1986 Donruss Rookies set. I also don't like the 1986 Sportsflix. I have the card but choose not to include it because I find them hard to focus. Later Sportsflix sets overcame that obstacle. I like 1997 Screen Plays with display tin.

Thanks! it's one of my newest additions, from a Net54 member!


Yes, there are quite a few threads on Net54 that inspired me. There are a few Twitter accounts that do something similar.

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Day 7: 87 Fleer Cello pack. This is my favorite RC, probably followed by Kahns, and then Topps third. I think 87 Fleer is such a clean design, great photos, and something about the blue border color just works with that blue sky behind Larkin.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...bf369db312.jpg

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Day 8: busy day! 1987 Topps cello pack. Probably my third favorite RC. But it's a nice in-game shot. The ramp up to peak junk wax in 88/89/90. But that's not to say there aren't a ton of these floating around. This is also a set that collectors love or hate. No in between.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...49f9ba71f5.jpg

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Day 9: 1987 Topps Tiffany. Personally, I know this isn't a 10. And with 30k Tiffany sets produced this year, it's junk wax of Tiffany! Unlike the 6k sets produced for 1989 Bowman, making the Bowman Tiffany Griffey Jr the creme de la creme of 89 RC.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...4ecb2985d4.jpg

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Day 10: 1988 Donruss Cello Pack. Look at the eyes staring at you. It wasn't my favorite set. The crappy puzzles were interesting, but I've never enjoyed puzzles.... even ones as easy as these. Essentially, if it wasn't Diamond Kings, it was boring. How could you expect to have such an amazing set as Diamond Kings, and expect people to be excited about the general product more than the amazing artwork of stars?
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...af3ee4260c.jpg

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Day 11: 1988 Jersey w/ASG sleeve patch used on Jersey Fusion cards. I especially like the ASG patch relics. It's a novelty idea, but the prices are pretty good for awesome looking patches. It's still kinda ugly. But the cut cards with the big swatch in the background are pretty awesome.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...1ceea34e58.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...436310b901.jpg

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Day 12: 1988 Topps Tiffany. Beautiful portrait, nice simple design. Still a ginormous print run, 30k sets.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...b22b5dec3f.jpg

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Day 13: 1989 Topps Tiffany. Another clean design. The end of the junk wax era is within sight. Topps Tiffany reduced their print run to 15k sets. 1988 was a huge offensive season for Larkin, 7.0 WAR, but was his worst defensive season .960%. He comes back to earth in 89 w/ 3.8 WAR, and improves his defense to .976 fielding percentage.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...4042b05959.jpg

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Day 14: 1989 Bowman Tiffany. Unlike Topps Tiffany, Bowman Tiffany was limited to 6k sets. Larger than a standard card size, collectors weren't very excited how difficult they were to store. 1990 brought Bowman to standard size.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...be74669272.jpg

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Day 15: 1990 Bowman Tiffany. 6k print run. Regular size cards. 1990 marked Larkin's 3rd straight AS selection, 3rd straight Silver Slugger, 7th place finish in MVP. Played 158 games, hit .301, 185 hits, 30 SB, 5.7 WAR.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...b3b9e1dab8.jpg

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Day 16: 1990 Baseball Card Magazine Panel. I actually never owned any of these magazines. I was a Beckett guy. I had a friend who read Tuff Stuff. But none of my collector friends had Baseball Card Magazine. I discovered the cards exploring ebay, and I think about all of the cards of my favorite players I missed out on.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...488b2da192.jpg

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Those 3 card panels are cool. I picked up one with Griffey recently.

did you get the 89 RC?

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Day 17: 1990 Fleer cello pack. In 1990, the Reds never fell out of first place, which they occupied since day 1. In the NLCS, the Reds defeated PIT in 6 games. Larkin hit .261, with 6 hits, 3 walks, 3 stolen bases, scoring 5 times.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...6a8dd40cf4.jpg

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Day 18: 1990 Topps Tiffany. Print run 5k. Just about out of the peak junk wax era. I love 1990 Topps. I love the border colors. This is in my top 3 Topps Flagship sets of the 90s.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...03388b9220.jpg

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Day 19: 1990 Topps Venezuela Sticker. Another collector reached out to me about these on ebay. He bought a player for his PC, and then made me aware of the Larkin for sale. Very thankful for him!
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...8ed62e909e.jpg

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Day 20: 1990 WS VHS (from Block Buster!). I don't even have a VHS player to watch it. But the last time I watched a VHS it made me appreciate Blu Ray. We watch Disney's Halloween Treat on VHS.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...78583f2e58.jpg

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Day 21: 1990 Cincinnati Reds team signed ball. I love team signed items. It shouts unique, historical moments, and effort to gather signatures. Older balls can also include clubhouse signatures.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...4320fd145b.jpg

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Day 22: 1990 WS Celebration hat owned by Barry Larkin (Sports Gallery COA), as seen in photo. Larkin hit .353, .421 OBP, 6 hits w/ double & triple, 2 walks, 3 runs, 1 RBI. WS Sweep against heavily favored Oakland.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...fe602988ce.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...3a1f68b586.jpg

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Day 23: 1990 GU Larkin Bat. The 1990 LS Model is unique, in that it does not include the team name beneath the players name. It was a one year offering and distinguishes the bat. Larkin's most popular GU model due to the WS [emoji471]. This includes original stadium certificate. Thanks to everyone on Net54 who share their knowledge.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...56c2c7849f.jpg

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Got back from camping yesterday and was going to post the Griffey. If you can't find a 3 card panel in your card room does that mean you might have a hoarding problem?:D

Will add the normal funny junk card story on how I got the Griffey. Was at a friends house and another older friend of his stopped over. Said he had a large box of very old cards that still looked like new and wanted me to look at them. He had to run home to get them and while he was gone I told my friend I would bet they are worthless junk era cards from the 80s/90s.

Sure enough when he returned with several thousand cards everything was junk era cards that looked like the little kid that originally owned them loved and played with every single one of them daily. I told him I would pay $5 for the 3 card panel with Griffey or if he gave me $5 I would take them all. Funny how those are always the cards people have when they say they have really old cards and think they are going to be rich from them. I have used the $5 thing before and usually people laugh and think I am being funny and when they realize I am serious most get mad.

Awesome Larkin stuff. I really enjoy the daily updates.

Did you get an opportunity to look for Billy Ripken FF or Randy Johnson Marlboro? Or were there too many cards?

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Yes I looked for all the cool error cards but unless it was a silly rare card being that beat up they would have still been worthless.

Oh boy! Barry is my main PC. I have lots to add to the thread if you ever desire (I won't hijack your thread with my collection). But if you are ever looking to move some nice 90s stuff, I'm always looking for the hard to find stuff. :)!

Day 24: 1991 Baseball Magazine Panel. Larkin rebounded in 1990 and began his peak career years. 1991 would see an even better season with 6.1 WAR, while battling injuries. His stats = .302 avg, .378 OBP, 140 hits, 88 runs, 20 HR (career high at this point), 24 SB....20/20 season.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...50eee526d2.jpg

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Feel free to post your items, as well as anyone else. I post chronologically, and New Years Eve will be about the time I get to the last year of cards that I collect - 2005.

I don't have anything post-2005, so that can be posted at anytime. I like spider web threads, so don't feel like you're interfering with my methods.

Cool, thanks! I also don't collect any post-playing days Larkins. I'll try to toss an image or two in on some years. I know you are on 1991, but I wanted to share my 1990 World Series ticket and program. One day I will get Larkin to sign it. I was going to at the National this year, but once I was there, I decided to avoid the autograph pavillion like the plague. [emoji14]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...777c9232d9.jpg

Cracker Jack chomping while watching Barry Larkin add to his stolen base total might give you more than just an ounce!

;)

Incidentally, what do you think of Elly De La Cruz? Could he join the pantheon of legendary base stealers?

:confused:

I think Elly has lots of potential. He's being compared to Eric Davis, potentially the most exciting player in decades. I like him. Joey Votto was good, but he didn't inspire people like Elly does. Elly is already better than Billy Hamilton. Elly can get on base at a higher clip than Billy. His K/9 ratio will hopefully drop with more experience, and he'll get more walks, giving him more opportunities to run. I think it'll be 3 years before he's in MVP form.

I think people are going to hold him to unrealistic expectations. Multiple MVP and titles or it means nothing. They crucify his errors on the Reds fan pages. People point out that Larkin had some poor fielding percentages early in his career and turned out okay. But nobody wants to listen. Everyone recognizes that with Scott Boras as his agent he will not sign long term in Cincinnati. So they are getting anxiety that we could have a generational talent on our team and not win the WS [emoji471]. Like the Angels with Pujols, Trout, Ohtani. It's going to be a long 6 years hearing then complain about every little thing. They'll have to trade him of course before his contact is up. His return trade package will then of course be too little. More complaining. The signing of Tito Francona is very inspiring though.

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Thanks for adding this! I've thought about getting tickets a few times, but they aren't my thing. But you adding it brings a lot of the thread.

Keep posting!

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Day 25: 1991 Topps Cracker Jack. I can remember getting these cards as a little boy and I was not impressed! [emoji23] I didn't play with baby dolls, why would I need a doll size card?!

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...a930f67dce.jpg

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

I found his big brother! ;)

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...257f9e8f89.jpg

The Desert Shield AS was my next post, you read my mind! So here's mine....
Day 26: 1991 Topps AS Desert Shield. A highly counterfeited set since it's release, there are many resources online to help inexperienced buyers. On Facebook, in the Griffey collectors group, Jason Titzer is the ultimate authority. Nearly everyone defers to him.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...1d337dd512.jpg

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Oh man. I'm sorry. I'll try not to let it happen again.

Since I know you're past 1988, how about the Score Sample? These are super tough to find.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...babdf694be.jpg