Did I pick the right Key Cards for my 1986 Red Sox WS set?

vandweller

I've enjoyed starting the three Red Sox world champion key card registry sets available (2004, 2007, 2013) and I wanted to put together the same kind of set for the 1986 Red Sox World Series team. I'm not sure if PSA would allow the composite officially or not since the Red Sox (spoiler alert) didn't win the series. I'm still going to put the set together regardless, but I wanted a second opinion on whether I chose the correct "key card" for each player.



My list is below. The cards in green are those for which there is only one option. The cards in orange are those for which the player has multiple rookie cards and the highlighted one is my best guess for the player's key card. Second opinions?

DanBessette

I would go for the base Topps for Barrett, rather than an update card. That's the only one I think you need to change. Personally I would also use the Topps options for Lollar and Owen, but that's just my preference.

stevebay

Back in the late 1980's, Greenwell's RC was considered the 1986 Sportflics #178 by Beckett. Then, shortly thereafter, Beckett claimed that Sportflics was more of an oddball issue, and thus, and 1987's were his Rookie Cards.

vandweller

With the Lollar, that's a multi-card RC, whereas his Fleer card is solo. So I thought that might make it superior, but I guess that didn't hurt Ripken's RC vs Donruss and Fleer, did it?



With the Owen, my thinking was that the Donruss was a far superior set that year and the card is just a better looking card.



And I guess my thinking on the Barrett was that it was just a better looking card and came from the same set as other iconic cards, like Clemens, Puckett, Gooden.



It's kinda hard picking key cards of not-so-key players.

alifaxwa2

My opinion is to keep variation to a minimum.

If a player has a Topps card, use that. For people with no topps, do all Fleer/Fleer Update.



That way your key card set is just Topps and Fleer, not all three.

DanBessette

Originally posted by: alifaxwa2

My opinion is to keep variation to a minimum.

If a player has a Topps card, use that. For people with no topps, do all Fleer/Fleer Update.



That way your key card set is just Topps and Fleer, not all three.

Yeah, that's why I was suggesting Topps, for as much consistency as possible. Although I understand wanting solo cards instead of multi player. I also think I would stray from Topps-centric with greenwell and go with the sportflics, since it's a year earlier.



Edit to add: I would go Topps for Barrett and Owen, sportflics for greenwell and you can keep Lollar how you have it.

LarkinCollector

I like the 84D choice for Owen, just look at the Mattingly prices and for that year Donruss is the clear winner.

Lollar, 81F is logical going for a solo shot.

Barrett, I agree with others, go with the base Topps issue over an update/traded and Greenwell has to be the 86SF over any 87 issue.

vandweller

I guess I never considered the '86 SF Greenwell. Frankly, I had only vague awareness of the existence of that card and always thought it was distributed in the Rookies boxset (along with Barry Larkin's first MLB card, which doesn't seem to be recognized as a true RC, since it was from a boxset).



I'll go along with the thread's thoughts on the Greenwell and the Barrett. I don't think I'm swayed enough on the Owen to switch it back to Topps; The 84D just too much better looking than the Topps card and I think 84D is a demonstrably more desirable set.



The Lollar I'm going back and forth on, but I'm coming around to the majority opinion.



So, what are the chances that PSA would accept a "Boston Red Sox American League Champions (1986)" key card set on the registry?

LarkinCollector

Originally posted by: vandweller
I guess I never considered the '86 SF Greenwell. Frankly, I had only vague awareness of the existence of that card and always thought it was distributed in the Rookies boxset (along with Barry Larkin's first MLB card, which doesn't seem to be recognized as a true RC, since it was from a boxset).

So, what are the chances that PSA would accept a "Boston Red Sox American League Champions (1986)" key card set on the registry?

The 86SF Greenwell was pack issued, not from the Rookies boxset.

No idea if PSA will accept it, but regardless I would go for it if that's what interests you

vandweller

Looks like my set was published to the registry. (http://www.psacard.com/PSASetR...position.aspx?c=14222) I did end up going against the thread and chose the 1987 Topps Greenwell. It just seems like the most recognizable and attractive of the candidates, features him alone, and is considered by "the hobby" or Beckett or whoever to be an RC. Nevertheless, this thread was helpful in orienting me in the right direction. Thanks!



I even got to be the #1 set for about an hour until meatloaf213 added his cards. :-)

rexvos

87 Donruss for sure on Greenwell
85 Fleer on Nipper
86 Donruss on Sullivan

LarkinCollector

Congrats on getting it added! How long did it take from the request to add?

vandweller

Just About three weeks. I was told it accelerates the process to have a full checklist included in the request. I thought it would go without saying that one would include that but apparently not.