I have fond memories of buying and reading the Beckett Baseball Card Monthly each month when I was a young teenager. Not only was it great seeing what the cards in my collection were worth, it had some great articles! The Weather Report, Collectors Tips, F.Y.I., Readers Write, plus all the other articles each month were outstanding. So along with putting together the 1987 Topps set, I am going to acquire all the magazines for 1987 (then maybe other years?).
Jan/Feb 1987 (Vol. 4, Number 1 Issue #24)
ON THE COVER
Front: Wade Boggs, '86 AL batting king. Back: Eric Davis. Next Willie Mays? Photos by Brad Newton.
The Price Guide (pg. 36)
This issue again features all of the standard sets.
FEATURES
1987 New Year's Predictions (pg. 19)
Ron Kittle traded for Ran Hassey again? Jaclyn Smith as a card promoter? Show promoters offering pizza at the door? A "Don Mattingly Dog?" What's in store for 1987? A humorous look into the future. By MIKE CHARTIER
Rookie of the Year: 1947-86 (pg. 20)
Some made it big, some didn't. A compilation of every Rookie of the Year as selected by the Baseball Writers Association of America, with statistics and average card values. A keeper for future reference. By DAVE DeLAND
The Best Behind the Plate (pg. 26)
It takes a different breed of ballplayer to strap on the tools every day and catch. It's not a job for the meek or weak of knee. The leagues best are ranked. By JOE POSNANSKI
The Babe Saves the Game (pg. 31)
Rogers Hornsby won two Triple Crowns for the Cardinals and Lou Gehrig began his 2,130 game streak in the '20s. But Babe Ruth was the decade's main attraction . . . along with the newly issued caramel cards. By RICHARD WEST
Trivia: The Heavy Hitters (pg. 67)
What do Wade Boggs, Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio and Don Mattingly have in common? Which was the only righthanded hitter of the four. How many batting titles between them? Try your hand at our heavy hitters trivia.
DEPARTMENTS
Owner's Box (pg. 4)
Weather Report (pg. 9)
Readers Write (pg. 11)
Convention Calendar (pg. 68)
Survey Form (pg. 81)
Jerry Hersh (pg. 83)
REFERENCE
Rookies/Condition (pg. 74)
Legend (pg. 75)
How To Use (pg. 76)
Beckett Bookshelf (pg. 77)
Back Issues (pg. 78)
Subscriptions (pg. 82)
COLUMNS
Collecting Tips (pg. 10)
Back Page (pg. 80)
March 1987 (Vol 4, Number 2 Issue 25)
COVER
Front: Roger Clemens. Back: Rickey Henderson. Photos by Brad Newton. Clemens, last season's AL Cy Young winner and MVP, is an imposing figure to hitters. After undergoing arm surgery after the 1985 season, Clemens set the majors on fire in '86.
FEATURES
Card Critic (pg. 8)
Each year, collectors peruse the new baseball card sets. Is one better than the other? The strong points of each? Topps, Fleer and Donruss 1987 reviewed. By CHUCK ROETHEL
F.Y.I. (pg. 10)
Don Larsen was an average pitcher. But one October afternoon in 1956, Larsen was better than average - he was perfect. Plus, March baseball birthdays, Hall of Fame quotes and little-known facts. A new feature. By ROY McGRAW
Slow Start, Fast Finish (pg. 19)
The Cubs gave up on Lou Brock when the future stolen base king posted average numbers in his early seasons. Of course, the Cubs were wrong. Sluggish rookie statistics don't always mean a player is a poor investment. By DAVE DeLAND
Captain of the Outfield (pg. 24)
The best in centerfield must be quick of feet and sure of glove. From DiMaggio to Mays to Murphy, centerfield has been the glamour position of baseball. By JOE POSNANSKI
Collecting in the Dollar Decade (pg. 29)
The 1920s produced gin bathtubs, speakeasies, the Depression . . . and Arcade Cards. Despite the decade's eventual economic downturn, collectors enjoyed baseball's Golden Age. Part 10 of a series on the tradition of collecting. By RICHARD WEST
DEPARTMENTS
Owner's Box (pg. 4)
Weather Report (pg. 5)
F.Y.I. (pg. 10)
Readers Write (pg. 11)
Convention Calendar (pg. 68)
REFERENCE
Legend/How to Use (pg. 32)
Rookies/Condition (pg. 76)
Beckett Bookshelf (pg. 77)
COLUMNS
Collecting Tips (pg. 6)
Prospects (pg. 28)
Back Page (pg. 80)
April 1987 (Vol. 4, Number 3 Issue #26)
COVER
Front: Mike Schmidt. Photo by Brad Newton. Back: Cory Snyder. Photo by Clif Boutelle. Schmidt, last season's NL MVP, needs just five home runs in '87 to become the 14th man to reach that plateau. (NOTE: It didn't mention it but they are referring to Schmidt hitting his 500th Home Run.)
The Price Guide (pg.34)
The new '87 sets in addition to all of the standard sets.
FEATURES
F.Y.I. (pg. 7)
It was 13 years ago that Henry Aaron broke what many thought was an unbreakable record - Babe Ruth's career home run mark of 714. Plus, March baseball birthdays, Hall of Fame Quotes and little-known facts. By ROY McGRAW
1987 Alphabetical Listing (pg. 10)
The first of two alphabetical listings of the 1987 cards. Players appearing in at least one of the four major sets are listed. Part II will run next issue. By JIM BECKETT
Coming Up Stars (pg. 19)
The first-ever All-Star Game helped put new life into an old tradition - baseball cards. The 1933 Goudey sets were popular - and still are. Part 11 in a series of the American tradition of collecting. By RICHARD WEST
Best Show Table (pg. 26)
What makes a good show table a great one? Maybe it's a little imagination or courtesy on the part of the dealer in charge. Maybe it's just common sense. Some worthwhile tips on how to make your next table a success. By MARK McDOWELL
Preseason Pennant Predictions (pg. 28)
Every year produces a team which - through talent, rookie phenoms, good pitching or determination - surprises the cynics to make a run at the pennant. The teams, players and cards to follow during the 1987 season. By DAVE DeLAND
DEPARTMENTS
Owner's Box (pg. 4)
Weather Report (pg. 5)
F.Y.I. (pg. 7)
Readers Write (pg. 12)
Convention Calendar (pg. 68)
REFERENCE
Legend/How to Use (pg. 33)
Rookies/Condition (pg. 76)
Beckett Bookshelf (pg. 77)
COLUMNS
Collecting Tips (pg. 6)
Prospects (pg. 25)
Back Page (pg. 80)
May 1987 (Vol 4, Number 4 Issue #27)
COVER
Front: Kirby Puckett. Photo by Clif Boutelle. Back: Vince Coleman. Photo by Brad Newton. Inside Front: 1933, A Moment Preserved. Art by Dan Gardiner. Inside Back: George Brett. Art by Jerry Hersh. Puckett, Minnesota's fireplug centerfielder, combines power, average and charisma to make him an AL favorite - on and off the field . . . When Vince Coleman is off and running, so are the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Price Guide (pg. 33)
All the 1987s in addition to all of the standard sets.
FEATURES
The Lost Art of Trading Cards (pg. 6)
Collecting Tips. Why are some collectors shying away from trading cards straight up? There are a number of reasons, including rookie cards, ignored intrinsic values and the misuse of price guides. The first two parts on card trading, and how it can be revived. By DON LOVING
1987 Alphabetical Listing (pg. 8)
The second of two alphabetical listings of the 1987 cards. Players appearing in at least one of the four major sets are listed. Part 1 can be found in the April Beckett Monthly. By JIM BECKETT
F.Y.I. (pg. 16)
Scouts knew it all along; Roger Clemens was an upper echelon pitcher. But injuries dampened his first two seasons, and skepticism surfaced . . . until Clemens fanned 20 in a game in 1986 to put himself in the major league record books. Plus, May baseball birthdays, Hall of Fame quotes, and little-known facts. By ROY McGRAW
Righthanders! (pg. 24)
Righthanded pitchers offer few surprises to hitters, who have seen mostly righthanded pitching since Little League. The best righthanders don't mess around. They throw their best pitch - the fastball. Another in The Best at What They Do series. By JOE POSNANSKI
How To Keep Your Cards A-OK (pg. 28)
It's a tough decision, and it can be an expensive one - especially if your mint cards suffer worn corners, faded fronts and creases. Which method of card protection is best for your budget and your collection? The options are examined. By JIM JENKINS
DEPARTMENTS
Owner's Box (pg. 4)
Weather Report (pg. 7)
Football Survey (pg. 11)
F.Y.I. (pg. 16)
Readers Write (pg. 17)
Trivia (pg. 67)
Convention Calendar (pg. 68)
REFERENCE
Legend/How To Use (pg. 32)
Rookies/Condition (pg. 79)
Beckett Bookshelf (pg. 78)
COLUMNS
Collecting Tips (pg. 6)
Prospects (pg. 15)
Back Page (pg. 80)
June 1987 (Vol 4, Number 5 Issue #28)
July 1987 (Vol. 4, Number 6 Issue #29)
COVER
Front: Willie Mays. Back: Pete Incaviglia. Photo by Brad Newton. Inside Front: 1980: The Moment Preserved. Art By Dan Gardiner. Inside Back: Don Mattingly. Art by Jerry Hersh. Mays' prowess on the field and likeability off the field once prompted Leo Durocher to exclaim that he was "an absolute joy to be around." Mays, who finished his 23-year career with the Mets, was a lifetime .302 hitter with 660 home runs.
The Price Guide (pg. 34)
All the 1987s in addition to all of the standard sets.
FEATURES
Why Buy A Factory Set? (pg. 6)
Some collectors like unopened factory sets more than hand-collated sets. But there are trade-offs to buying factory sets, like never being able to look at or handle the cards for fear of ruining its mint condition. Collecting tips. By DON LOVING
Collecting As Team (pg. 12)
Fathers and their sons make good collecting partners.Collecting can be a middle ground where the two can speak and think as equals. Included is a checklist on how to help your son with his baseball card hobby. By TOM WHEATLEY
All-Star Game Special (pg. 22)
It happens every year. The best play the best in the mid-summer showcase. Here's a comprehensive list of each of the All-Star games since 1933, when Babe Ruth hit the first home run. Plus, All-Star Game records and the all-time All-Star team. By DAVE DeLAND
Tora! Tora! Tora! (pg. 28)
Sports card survived the crisis of the Great Depression to rise to new heights . . . but a menacing foe loomed on the horizon. Another in the "Collecting: An America Tradition" series. By RICHARD WEST
All-Star Trivia (pg. 67)
Unlike the team concept of the World Series, the All-Star Game comprises individual superstars. It perhaps is the only single-game affair in which every pitch, every homerun and every great catch produces instant history . . . and trivia.
DEPARTMENTS
Owner's Box (pg. 4)
Weather Report (pg. 7)
F.Y.I. (pg. 8)
Alphabetical Rookies (pg. 10)
Readers Write (pg. 15)
Trivia (pg. 67)
Convention Calendar (pg. 68)
Beckett Bookshelf (pg. 78)
COLUMNS
Collecting Tips (pg. 6)
Prospects (pg. 9)
Back Page (pg. 80)
August 1987 (Vol 4, Number 7 Issue #30)
COVER
Front: Bo Jackson. Photo by Brad Newton. Back: Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco. Photo by Brad Newton. Inside Front: 1971: The Moment Preserved. Art by Dan Gardiner. Inside Back: Yankees collage. Art by Jerry Hersh. Jackson has been a curious phenomenon in the game. Before his first at-bat in the minors, he was heralded as baseball's next superstar, mostly because of his prowess in college football. Yes, Bo can convert on third-and-four, but can he hit a 2-2 slider consistently? Time will tell.
The Price Guide (pg. 34)
All the 1987s in addition to all of the standard sets.
FEATURES
Enjoy the Card Show . . . But Beware. (pg 6)
How do you keep a good deal from going sour? It takes a little planning by the buyer and a little courtesy by the seller. But there's a right way and a wrong way. Collecting Tips. By DON LOVING
Alphabetical Rookie Index (pg. 9)
Part II of an all-time listing of players and their rookie card issue and number. A valuable reference tool. Part I can be found in the July 1987 issue of Beckett Monthly. By JIM BECKETT
A "Common" Problem? (pg. 21)
How do you get rid of all those extra common cards in your ever-growing collection? Sell 'em. Give 'em away. Go to a flea market . . . or eat 'em for breakfast. By JIM DAVID
Southpaw! (pg. 25)
Lefthanded pitchers are known as a strange breed. But there are some crafty ones. The Best at What They Do. By JOE POSNANSKI
Hey! Look What I Found! (pg. 30)
Collecting on a budget. It's not always easy. But there are cost-effective methods of finding old collections and miscellaneous collectibles without spending a lot. By MARK McDOWELL
A Colossal Challenge: Giants Trivia (pg. 67)
One of the oldest franchises in the majors, the Giants have fostered generations of fans . . . and coast-to-coast trivia.
DEPARTMENTS
Owner's Box (pg. 4)
Weather Report (pg. 7)
F.Y.I. (pg. 8)
Alphabetical Rookies (pg. 9)
Readers Write (pg. 12)
Trivia (pg. 67)
Convention Calendar (pg. 68)
Beckett Bookshelf (pg. 78)
COLUMNS
Collecting Tips (pg. 6)
Prospects (pg. 32)
Back Page (pg. 80)
September 1987 (Vol. 4, Number 8 Issue #31)
Details coming soon!
October 1987 (Vol. 4, Number 9 Issue #32)
November 1987 (Vol. 4, Number 10 Issue #33)
Details coming soon!
September 1987 (Vol. 4, Number 11 Issue #34)
Details coming soon!
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