Sports Card Trifecta #16: Kirby Puckett

On May 8th, 1984... Kirby Puckett had four hits, scored one run, and stole a base in his MLB debut for the Minnesota Twins. He played his entire twelve year career in the Twin Cities finishing with ten All-Star appearances, six Golden Glove Awards, six Silver Slugger Awards, and two World Series rings.

During his career, he was always one of my favorite players not donning an A's or a Padres uniform. In fact, outside of Tony Gwynn and Rickey Henderson, I can't think of any hitter during that era I enjoyed watching more.

I've always admired his charming personality (at least during his playing years), his ability to hit for average, and his loyalty to the Twins franchise. Unfortunately, his career was shortened because he lost vision in his right eye due to glaucoma.

Puckett officially retired from baseball on July 12th, 1996. Then on March 6th, 2006 Puckett passed away the day after he suffered a major stroke. He was just eight days shy of his forty-sixth birthday.

So without further adieu, I'd like to honor Puckett's career accomplishments by showing off the Sports Card Trifecta I built of him:

Rookie Card: 1985 O-Pee-Chee #10

Some things get better with age. And in my mind, O-Pee-Chee baseball cards are one of them. I also have his Topps, Fleer, and Donruss regular issue rookie cards, but his 1985 Leaf and 1984 Fleer Update XRC still elude me.

I even own these two 1985 cello packs with Puckett on the top:

Autographed Card: 2003 Sweet Spot #KP

I've wanted to acquire his autograph since I jumped back into the hobby in 2008, but certified, pack pulled copies routinely sell in the $100 to $300 range... which is a bit out of my league. But, as George Clinton once said, "two tears in a bucket".

$115.27 (+ $3 shipping) later... and I became the proud owner of this certified Kirby Puckett autographed card. The autograph seems to be faded, but I assure you it's just the scan. This card is beautiful and one of my favorite cardboard possessions. I guess it should be... it's the most I've ever spent on a single piece of cardboard.

Memorabilia Cards: 2007 SP Legendary Cuts "A Stitch In Time" #KP & 2002 Sweet Spot Classics "Game Bat" #BKP

I purchased the top card a few weeks ago off of COMC for $4 and received it in my latest shipment. The one on the bottom arrived three weeks ago in a CCW trade. Domo arigato cornwellfamily for helping me complete my Puckett trifecta.

Alright... enough of my jabbering. Today's question is...

What's the most you've ever spent on a single piece of cardboard?

Thanks for the memories Kirby! Happy Tuesday everyone... and sayonara!