Card of the Day: Steve Lake 1991 Donruss Studio #216

Card of the Day: Bill Murray 1988 Salt Lake City Trappers Team Issue #29

Product Highlight: 1991 Caesars Palace Lake Tahoe Heavy Hitters

Put on your Rolex and grab the keys to the Rolls-Royce because its time to hobnob with some celebrities.  Or at least people considered to be celebrities in the early 90’s.

Fifty celebrities came to play in the Celebrity Golf Championship that ran from July 4-7, 1991.  It was played on the Edgewood Golf Course in Lake Tahoe, Nevada and held by Caesars Palace.  It was a private event for those individuals who coughed-up the cash to play with a certain celebrity.  I wouldn’t be surprised if some high-rollers were invited to this event for free too.  The celebrities you could play with ranged from actors, singers, and sports figures.

Along with the invitation, invitees were given a specially made 8-card set to commemorate the event.  The checklist includes:

• Michael Jordan #1
• Maury Povich #2
• Randy Quaid #3
• Jim McMahon #4
• John Elway #5
• Mark Rypien #6
• Kenny Rogers #7
• Title Card #8

On the back of the Title Card you’ll find a list of the celebrities.  Why there is a checkbox next to each of their names is a total mystery to me.  Only seven have cards.

The reverse side on the celebrity cards are mostly blank except for the card number, Celebrity Golf Association logo, and a designated area for an autograph.

Very few of these sets are floating around.  The Michael Jordan holds the most value.  Apparently not many people were interested in holding on to them.  The overall consensus is that they were left behind and/or thrown out.  My running theory is that someone like Carl Spackler from Caddyshack picked them up and used them for some elaborate gopher trap.

Card of the Day: Steve Lake 1990 Fleer #566

Card of the Day: Carnell Lake 1989 Pro Set #548

Flashback Product of the Week: 1988 Salt Lake City Trappers Team Issue

Minor League Baseball sets issued by teams today don’t carry much weight when it comes to the collecting world.  They’re drastically overproduced, and the players most likely already have cards in more in-demand products such as Bowman, Bowman Chrome, Bowman Draft, Bowman’s Best, Pro Debut, and Heritage MiLB.  I’m not saying there isn’t a market for them.  Today’s collectors just have more options.

During the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s is where you’ll find some of the more popular team issued sets.  Guys like Ryne Sandberg, Cal Ripken, Jr., and even John Elway pictured in an Oneonta Yankees uniform all received Minor League Baseball cards predating their nationally issued rookies.  Depending on rarity and condition, these can be extremely valuable.

Baseball Cards Etc issued a team set in 1988 for the Salt Lake City Trappers.  Now they’re known as the Ogden Raptors.  At the time, actor Bill Murray owned five percent of the team.  It makes perfect sense that he received his own card.  His brother Brian is also featured on another card in the same set as well.  These two cards are literally the only reason why this set is continued to be talked about today.  None of the other players went on to have historic careers.

If you watched any of the World Series last year, you’d know what a huge baseball fan Bill Murray is.  He was rocking that t-shirt that said “I AIN’T AFRAID OF NO GOAT.”  The 1988 Salt Lake City Trappers team set is the first time Bill Murray was featured on cardboard.  It wouldn’t be his last though.  Over the years, other teams he’s been involved with have included him in their sets.  Here is a rundown of all the Bill Murray baseball cards you could add to your collection.

• Bill Murray/Brian Murray 1988 Salt Lake City Trappers Team Issue #2
• Bill Murray 1988 Salt Lake City Trappers Team Issue #29
• Bill Murray 1989 Salt Lake City Trappers Team Issue #29
• Bill Murray 1996 Butte Copper Kings Best #2
• Bill Murray 1998 Charleston RiverDogs Grandstand #19
• Bill Murray 2004 Brockton Rox #28
• Bill Murray 2008 St. Paul Saints Team Issue #15
• Bill Murray/Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Mayor 2012 Charleston RiverDogs Grandstand #36

Mr. Murray does have a handful of other cards from various entertainment products.  Leaf even made a cut signature of him in 2012 numbered to only (1).  Most collectors treat the card of him pictured alone from 1988 as his “rookie” card.  Three copies recently sold for $75 each.

I know one of these years we’re going to see Bill Murray show up in Allen & Ginter or Goodwin Champions.

Card of the Day: Herb Adderley 1961 Packers Lake To Lake #30