Fun with 100 Minor League Sets

[Mike D.]

Listed:

1994 Fleer ProCards Rockford Royals

1994 Fleer ProCards Reading Phillies

The Royals set includes Sal Fasan and Mike Sweeney.

The Phillies set doesn't have any names that jump out at me.

100 sets
2 opened / singles to be listed
38 complete sets listed on eBay
60 to be reviewed
2 sets sold
1 lot sold
$58.74 original purchase
$6.68 reclaimed (11.4%)

[Mike D.]

Listed:

1994 Fleer ProCards Williamsport Cubs

The Cubs team doesn't have any names that jump out at me on it.

100 sets
2 opened / singles to be listed
39 complete sets listed on eBay
59 to be reviewed
2 sets sold
1 lot sold
$58.74 original purchase
$6.68 reclaimed (11.4%)

[Mike D.]

Listed:

1994 Fleer ProCards Charlotte Knights

1994 Fleer ProCards Harrisburg Senators

1994 Fleer ProCards San Jose Giants

The Knights key card is Brian Giles. Other recognizable names includes Jason Grimsley, Julian Tavarez, Craig Colbert, David Bell, Greg Briley, and future GM Ruben Amaro Jr.. Pretty impressive number of major leaguers on one squad.

The Senators feature Miguel Batista, Al Reyes, Ugueth Urbina, and Mark Grudzielanek.

The Giants feature Bill Mueller and Chris Singleton.

100 sets
2 opened / singles to be listed
41 complete sets listed on eBay
57 to be reviewed
2 sets sold
1 lot sold
$58.74 original purchase
$6.68 reclaimed (11.4%)

[D. Bergin]

I understand this isn't high stakes, but I'm somehow really enjoying this breakdown. Glad you're taking the time to present this to us.

I've always kind of liked the obscure "cup of coffee" type athletes. In my own specialty one of my favorite things to do is matching up nearly forgotten boxers with ancestral family members. There isn't much money to be made doing that, but it gives me a bit of thrill every time it happens.

I've actually dabbled with the thought of breaking up large cheap lots of minor league cards for this very purpose before.....but then realized I have 10's of thousands of other things put away in storage I'll probably never get the chance to list on one venue or another that would take precedence over doing this.

[swarmee]

I'm thinking about putting together a collection of minor league costumed mascots. If you break apart any sets that have mascots, I'll take the lot for $1/each.

[Mike D.]

Originally Posted by swarmee

I'm thinking about putting together a collection of minor league costumed mascots. If you break apart any sets that have mascots, I'll take the lot for $1/each.

That's a fun idea. I'll have to check to see if any of these have mascot cards in them...so far the 2-3 I have opened don't, but some might. If they don't sell as complete sets I may break them up and try that way. We'll see how it goes but you have dibs on any mascot cards I uncover.

[Mike D.]

A few more:

1994 ProCards Asheville Tourists

1994 Fleer ProCards Tucson Toros


The Tourists had Jamey Wright and John Thomson. Also a number of guys who this was their only card ever...A ball can be tough!

The Toros (no relation to Tourists) have a number of recognizable names, including Eric Bell, Jim Dougherty, Domingo Jean, Craig McMurtry, Scooter Tucker, Roberto Petagine, Brian L. Hunter, and Phil Nevin! They went 81-63 and finished 2nd in their division.

100 sets
2 opened / singles to be listed
43 complete sets listed on eBay
55 to be reviewed
2 sets sold
1 lot sold
$58.74 original purchase
$6.68 reclaimed (11.4%)

[Mike D.]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

I understand this isn't high stakes, but I'm somehow really enjoying this breakdown. Glad you're taking the time to present this to us.

I've always kind of liked the obscure "cup of coffee" type athletes. In my own specialty one of my favorite things to do is matching up nearly forgotten boxers with ancestral family members. There isn't much money to be made doing that, but it gives me a bit of thrill every time it happens.

I've actually dabbled with the thought of breaking up large cheap lots of minor league cards for this very purpose before.....but then realized I have 10's of thousands of other things put away in storage I'll probably never get the chance to list on one venue or another that would take precedence over doing this.

Glad you're enjoying it...and yes, this is whatever the polar opposite of "high stakes" is.

Clearly this is a hobby...any potential profit here is not worth the effort it'll take. But I was curious if a profit could be turned, and the sets are a lot of fun to review. And if I get a few cards and sets into the hands of people who want them, all the better.

You raise a good point about the random minor league cards that people actually buy...I always wonder about why. Do they remember the player from attending games of the minor league team? Are they a friend? Family member?

That's cool about the boxing cards and family. I bet you make some people very happy!

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by Mike D.

You raise a good point about the random minor league cards that people actually buy...I always wonder about why. Do they remember the player from attending games of the minor league team? Are they a friend? Family member?

That's cool about the boxing cards and family. I bet you make some people very happy!

Yes, it's most likely some sort of old memory or family connection.

With boxing it's not so much about the cards (though that does happen), and more about the old photos, publications, programs, posters and even clippings.

[Mike D.]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

Yes, it's most likely some sort of old memory or family connection.

With boxing it's not so much about the cards (though that does happen), and more about the old photos, publications, programs, posters and even clippings.

Interesting. I'm sure these days with those ancestory tracking sites, it's easier for people to discover they're related to someone "famous" and want a little memento of that connection.