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

DATE: Sunday, July 24, 1994                  TAG: 9407240210
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: C2   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY BRIAN L. BIGELOW, SPECIAL TO THE VP/LS 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   50 lines

CARDS

This year is developing into a showcase for long-ball sluggers. The rookie cards of power hitters are always among the most popular baseball collectibles, especially so in a year (like 1994) when the hitters are connecting at a brisk pace.

The rookie cards are such sought-after commodities that their escalating prices are going beyond the reach of many collectors. The emphasis on ``premium'' card brands is giving the hobby an elitist image. The phrase ``Frank Thomas Rookie Card,'' for example, generally refers to the 1990 Leaf Series card (NU)300, which sells for $70 to $75. This is a substantial investment. The emphasis on limited production, and high-priced unopened packs of recent material, implies that one can't collect rookie cards `seriously' without spending serious sums of money.

Fortunately, the competition among card manufacturers has helped make rookie collecting possible within almost any budget. The Leaf Thomas is expensive, but the Topps rookie is not: The 1990 Topps Thomas card, (NU)414, sells for $3. A similar situation applies to Ken Griffey, Jr.: his widely-coveted 1989 Upper Deck Rookie goes for at least $70. Other brands, such as 1989 Donruss (NU)33 at $5, are Griffey rookies that can be had for less.

Barry Bonds' 1987 Fleer Card ((NU)604) is a $35 item, but his 1987 Topps ((NU)320) is readliy available for $3. Matt Williams' cards haven't yet caught fire in the hobby: his hard-to-find 1987 Fleer update card ((NU)11-129) retails for about $4. His more abundant issues, such as 1988 Topps (NU)372, are only $1.25.

Rookie card collecting can be a financially-stressful activity if a hobbyist concentrates solely on the most publicized `glamour' issues. Collectors who don't have big money should be aware that `entry-level' slugger rookies are also available. These more-economical cards can complete a collection of rookie power-hitters and, perhaps, leave money in the budget for additional collecting projects. MEMO: Brian L. Bigelow is store manager and appraiser for Candl Coins &

Stamps, located on Independence Blvd. and North (Lynnhaven) Mall Drive

in Virginia Beach. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

Some Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards can be bought for less-than

pocket-breaking prices.

by CNB