
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, June 5, 1994                    TAG: 9406050227 
SECTION: SPORTS                     PAGE: D2    EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: BY BRIAN L. BIGELOW, SPECIAL TO THE VP/LS 
DATELINE: 940605                                 LENGTH: Medium

CARD COLLECTOR'S CORNER

{LEAD} Dwight Gooden's Harbor Park appearance this week was exciting and nostalgic. Gooden's rehabilitation assignment served as a reminder of the Norfolk Tides' major league connection. It may also have re-awakened memories of other major league stars who played in Hampton Roads at some point on their career paths.

There are quite a few familiar major league faces who are well known to Tide watchers.

{REST} Lenny Dykstra is a former Tide who became a success with the Mets, and then went on to greater heights with another team. Currently, Dykstra is a worker and showman for the NL champion Phillies.

Gregg Jefferies took this area by storm when he played for the Tidewater Tides in 1988. He was the Mets' hottest prospect. Jefferies, too, found his path to recognition in a city other than New York, and he's now a mainstay of the St. Louis Cardinals' lineup.

Randy Myers, Kevin Mitchell and Darryl Strawberry are other ex-Tides who went on to greatness, or, at least notoriety, in big league markets around the nation.

Most of these players had, at one time or another, minor league cards that introduced them to collectors. These cards were somewhat coarsley designed, and were usually sold in sets at the ballpark where the featured teams were playing. There were no gumpacks or candy store sales of these cards; this relatively limited system of distribution tended to restrict their circulation and popularity.

Today, these early cards are considered fringe collectibles, but they possess special appeal for those fans who first saw the big name players in action at the minor league level.

Gooden's appearance, like the occasional exhibition contests hosted by Triple-A teams, provided in-person exposure to major league talent and personalities. For hobbyists, the former Tides can also be remembered, and enjoyed, by collecting their minor league cards.

Norfolk/Tidewater Tides (Minor league cards of prominent major leaguers):

Lenny Dykstra 1985 TCMA Co. No. 20 (Major league rookie 1986 Donruss No. 482)

Kevin Mitchell 1984 TCMA No. 23, 1985 TCMA No. 18 (1987 Fleer No. 17)

Jeff Reardon 1979 TCMA No. 5 (1981 Topps No. 456)

Gregg Jefferies 1988 ProCards AAA No. 40 (1988 Donruss No. 657)

Mookie Wilson 1979 TCMA No. 7, 1980 TCMA No. 1 (1984 Topps No. 259)

Darryl Strawberry 1983 TCMA No. 28 (1984 No. 182)

Ron Darling 1982 TCMA No. 13, 1983 TCMA No. 1 (1984 Donruss No. 30)

Dave Magadan 1986 TCMA No. 17 (1987 Donruss No. 575)

Randy Myers 1986 TCMA No. 22 (1987 Donruss No. 29)

Dwight Gooden 1987 TCMA No. 30 (1985 Donruss No. 190)

Prices for minor league cards vary dramatically as a function of geography and player popularity. Comparison shopping, and familiarity with the price guides and advertisements that feature these cards, is advisable. by CNB