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

DATE: SUNDAY, June 19, 1994                    TAG: 9406190190 
SECTION: SPORTS                     PAGE: C6    EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: BY BRIAN L. BIGELOW, SPECIAL TO THE VP/LS 
DATELINE: 940619                                 LENGTH: Medium

CARDS

{LEAD} Expansion teams always provide a change of pace for fans and hobbyists. Their presence changes the scenery a bit, and affords new opportunities for team-set collectors. There is a chance to assemble cards of new franchises from their very beginning: novel uniforms, different home-cities, and newly constructed lineups contribute to the allure.

The Colorado Rockies and the Florida Marlins, the major league's first new franchises since the seventies, have been welcomed by card collectors. Their first cards appeared in the second-series 1993 issues of most manufacturers; these cards quickly became ``premium'' items on the strength of their novelty and first-issue status.

{REST} The 1994 cards, depicting players in the teams' second-year lineups, have been equally popular. It appears that the Rockies and Marlins have cemented fan loyalty.

Individual players have also received new popularity as a result of their pioneering Marlins or Rockies association. Several quality athletes who had become ``faces in the crowd'' with their former teams are the stars of the expansion clubs.

Andres Galarraga was building a solid career prior to his selection by Colorado in the expansion draft. He won the 1993 NL batting title with the Rockies; he's continued to post impressive numbers for the team this year and his cards are beginning to attract attention.

Gary Sheffield is the Marlin who is emerging as that team's collector favorite. Sheffield was also considered a consistent player with other teams. More fan recognition has accompanied his move to Florida. by CNB