ROY: A lifetime title

Ten years ago, new collectors reveled in the opportunity to get baseball's 1992 Rookie of the Year to add to his signature ""ROY '92." Remember who that was? Why, it was the unforgettable Pat Listach. Indeed, the Milwaukee shortstop had a terrific year, even beating out Kenny Lofton, arguably one of the game's greatest leadoff hitters. Yet, he never had sophomore, junior, season or beyond seasons to measure up to his rookie performance.

The title carries with it a special distinction. It provides a launching pad to one's star status, which is accompanied by unusually high expectations. The collector holding a ball signed and so noted by a Pat Listach might have figured that he's standing before the next great infielder. Dream on. That thought evaporated in the ensuing years when the big, powerful shortstops surfaced, namely Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Nomar Garciaparra., all rookies of the year. Imagine Listach in the same breath with the latter three. Rookies of the Year carry a distinct demand in the marketplace. Like all players, interest in their autograph often rises and falls with their career stats, championships, all-star appearances, MVP awards and, not to be underestimated, off-the-field (or court) antics.

Bobby Mintz of Tri-Star Productions in Houston, a hobby veteran for more than a dozen years and former editor of his own, now defunct, Rookie Report newsletter, took stock of baseball's top rookies in recent years and their marketability with fans in terms of autographed memorabilia. . . .

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