Ken Oberkfell was a journeyman major league first baseman who played most of his career as a reserve and part-time player. While he didn’t have flashy stats or make many All-Star teams, Oberkfell managed to hang around the big leagues for over a decade by being a reliable role player and defensive specialist.

The 1989 Donruss baseball card #67 features Oberkfell sporting the home white uniform of the San Diego Padres. By 1989, the 30-year old Oberkfell was entering his 9th MLB season and had already played for the Montreal Expos, Cincinnati Reds, and Padres over the course of his career. With his signature handlebar mustache and rugged facial features, Oberkfell had a look befitting of his grinder role as a backup first baseman.

Born in 1960 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Oberkfell grew up a Reds fan and attendee Cincinnati Moeller High School. He was then drafted by the Expos in the 16th round of the 1979 MLB Draft and began his professional career that season in the low minors. Oberkfell slowly developed his skills in the Expos system, making his MLB debut with Montreal at age 24 in 1984. In 158 games over three seasons with the Expos, Oberkfell hit .241 with 13 home runs and 65 RBIs in a part-time role.

The most notable moment of Oberkfell’s time in Montreal came during the Expos final homestand in September 1994. With the team’s imminent move to Washington, D.C. all but official, Oberkfell lined a walk-off single in the bottom of the 9th inning for the Expos’ final victory at Olympic Stadium. This shining moment from “Mr. Expo” helped provide Montreal fans with a small sense of closure and happiness amid the franchise’s departure.

Following the 1986 season, Oberkfell was dealt back to his hometown Reds. He enjoyed his best statistical season in 1987 for Cincinnati, hitting .296 with 7 home runs and 35 RBIs primarily as a platoon first baseman. Oberkfell also had a successful postseason that year for the NL West champion Reds, going 5-for-12 with 2 doubles in Cincinnati’s NLCS loss to the San Francisco Giants.

After two solid reserve seasons with the Reds, Oberkfell was traded once more midway through the 1989 season – this time to the Padres in exchange for minor league pitcher Duane Ward. By the time of his 1989 Donruss card, Oberkfell was settling into San Diego as the right-handed hitting part of their first base platoon. He split time with the left-handed hitting Jack Clark at first base for the Padres down the stretch and into the postseason.

In 56 games for San Diego in 1989 following the trade, Oberkfell hit .310 with 2 home runs and 19 RBIs. He continued his strong play into the Padres NLCS matchup with the Cubs, going 2-for-3 with a double and run scored in San Diego’s sole victory of the series. The Padres season would end there, but Oberkfell had proven valuable to the club in the second half as both a complementary offensive piece and sure-handed defender at first.

Oberkfell would remain a mainstay on the Padres roster through the 1991 season. He provided consistency and reliability in a part-time role, hitting between .270 and .280 while sharing first base duties. Oberkfell spent the final season of his MLB career splitting 1992 between San Diego and their AAA affiliate before retiring at age 32.

In total, Ken Oberkfell played 11 seasons in the majors from 1984-1992. While never an All-Star or top producer, he made the most of his abilities by putting together a long careerthanks to his defense, versatility, and clubhouse presence. Oberkfell’s career stats include a .262 batting average with 32 home runs and 239 RBIs in 849 games played. He remained dedicated to his craft and maximized his opportunities – traits that helped Oberkfell carve out an unlikely 11-year career as a backup first baseman in the big leagues.

Since retiring, Oberkfell has stayed active in baseball through participation in old-timers games and fundraising events. He resides in southern California and works as a commercial realtor, allowing him to stay involved in the sport he enjoyed as a player. Oberkfell’s journeyman career path and blue collar playing style made him a fan favorite wherever he played. His 1989 Donruss baseball card commemorates a pivotal period when Oberkfell helped the Padres as part of their platoon and postseason push.