TCDB Kirby Puckett Project: 1989-90 added and what qualifies for the Player Checklist

What is a player card?  Before I get into the results of the 1989-90 binder, I wanted to ponder that question for a little bit.  I would imagine that when we look at a players checklist on TCDb, we naturally assume that the players name and photo are prominent on the card.  

Basic Player Card: Name on Front, Photo of Player

As you read through a players checklist, especially a player of Puckett's stature, you'll notice that you get other cards that don't quite fit that name/photo narrative. Plus, we've added Kent Hrbek to the photo as well.  Does the player have to be solo?

Super Team Card: Shared photo but no name

Is this a Kirby Puckett card?  I guess its a bit of a cheat because his name is kinda on the card (his jersey).  But what about this variation from 2015?

Donruss card: Photo on front, nickname on front?

What if it's artwork?  Not a photo.

Diamond King card: Name, no photo

Now let me blow your mind...

1992 Confex: No photo, no name, artwork

This card has no name, no photo, and just implies that it could be someone with Kirby's reputation on the back.  

All of these cards are in the TCDb checklist for Kirby Puckett.

This section deals with cards that are not on the Kirby Puckett checklist, all which have his photo on the front.

1987 Twins Team Photo: Photo, name on back

Is this a Kirby Puckett card?  It has his photo on front, and his name on the back.  He shares it with Kent Hrbek again, along with a few more players and coaches.  Is there a team photo exception?

1996 Knoblauch card: Photo, no name

Look at this Knoblauch card.  That is definitely Puckett giving a high five.  Is is not a Kirby Puckett card because he's not fully on the card or because Donruss said it's a Chuck Knoblauch card? 

Ok, let's get crazy here.  How about this one:

2010 Twins Team Card

This team card has Joe Mauer and Ron Gardenhire prominent on the front, and a couple other players we can figure out.  None of whom are Kirby.  However, if we zoom into the upper right hand corner of the photo, there is a poster of Kirby Puckett that was hung up in the Metrodome.  

Not crazy enough?  What about this?

2010 Topps Team Card

That's definitely Kirby's name on the front of this card.  Not a picture of him though, but his street sign named after him.  Not crazy enough yet?  

2009 Upper Deck

No Kirby photo or name, but you'll notice on Morneau's sleeve the number 34.  That photo was taken after Kirby had passed away and the team wore his number as a tribute to him.  

One last section of crazy before I get to the updated collection.  Cards with his name on it. 

Checklists

Cards with Leaders

Cards that mention him in context

I collect all these crazy things, and I know that's weird, but I love that weird too.  I think what I find so fun about this is that we have places like Beckett and TCDB that draw lines for collections and its up to us to decide where we want that line to go.  Is a set complete if you don't have all the SPs, the errors and variations, or all in PSA slabs?  If I collect Hawkeyes, is it only players who graduated, didn't transfer, or can I grab all those who got a post grad education or coached there?  Its up to us to decide what we want and use the tools we have to best get there.

322 cards puts me in #40 place.  Just think of telling me in 1990 that I'd have 322 cards of Kirby Puckett, and I'll only be 7.6% complete.