Interview with Jeff Kunkel

Jeff Kunkel played eight years in the major leagues, as a middle infielder for the Rangers from 1984 to 1990 and the Cubs in 1992. He now runs Jeff Kunkel's Baseball Fundamentals in Texas. He kindly answered my questions about his baseball card experiences, including a great story about his teammate, the late Darrell Porter.

- Do you have any stories about cards of yourself or of other players?
As child and young man, my brother and I would collect baseball cards with almost every cent we would make or be allowed to spend. I remember trading, flipping cards, betting stacks of cards with distance throwing, playing leaners, etc....Many rainy days, we would sort and resort the cards to fill the day and better understand which cards we were missing for our set.

A funny story regarding a baseball card occurred during spring training with the Texas Rangers when Darrell Porter was signing one of his cards for a fan. After signing the card and returning it to a young girl, the girl's mother returned to Darrell infuriated and reprimanding him that he has some nerve writing his room number on the card. Darrell was a devoted Christian that would sign his cards with a bible verse below his signature. On that day, Darrell signed with Rom. 8:28. He calmed the mom's anger by explaining what Rom 8:28 means and she left relieved and appreciated him spreading God's word.

- Do you have a favorite card of yourself or of another player?
My favorite Card is the 1991 Score....

My wife likes the 1991 Leaf Studio card....She thinks it shows the fun side of my personality.

My favorite collected cards are some Reggie Jackson rookie cards & Nolan Ryan rookies.

- Do you collect baseball cards?
I collected cards up to the time the market flooded with many companies.

Thanks!