New Year's Resolution

First off, I don't make New Year's Resolutions.

But I'll make an exception this year.

It's collection related. Which is why I'm making this post.

I resolve to get my collection under control.

I have too many cards. And while some of them are sorted properly, too many are not. I plan to put vintage with vintage, jersey cards with jersey cards, autograph cards with autograph cards, and so on and so forth. I plan to focus my collection on the teams I collect, the players I collect, and the untouchables. I plan to reduce my collection with extensive eBaying, posting on hobby forums, and giving away more commons to local kids and during Hallowe'en.

It's time that I get it under control and 2012 is the year!

When December 31st, 2012 hits, I'll feel like a weight has been lifted. The weight of thousands of cards that I have but don't need in my collection.

It'll be a great day and it will make me enjoy the hobby so much more.

Awesome Card of the Week

At the 2011 Fall Sports Card Expo in Toronto, Ontario, I had some good luck at the Panini booth with redemption products.

But no hits were better than this...

A massive 8X10 hard-signed photo/card of the hottest NFL rookie in a long time.

Cam Newton is my new best friend!

Topps Diamond Giveaway - Order #3

Another day, another bubble envelope from Topps in the mail.

With only about 6 or 7 weeks left in the promotion, I'll be curious to see if I can score some more goodies.

This package contained more Hall of Fame players, more personal favourites, and a few more Toronto Blue Jays.

Not only did I add another 1952 card to my collection (Harry Simpson), I was able to acquire some big names like Al Kaline, Roy Face, Rickey Henderson, Jim Kaat, Sandy Alomar, and a League Leaders card containing Juan Marichal and Sandy Koufax!

Some other trades allowed me to get some 'late in the career' cards of Tom Seaver, Felipe Alou, and Pete Rose. In addition, Birdie Tebbetts, Walt Alston, and Gene Mauch will be added to my Manager collection.

Last but not least, some of my favourite Blue Jays from the ealry 1980's, Damaso Garcia and Willie Upshaw.

Time to place another order.

2010-11 UD Ultimate Hockey Break

I'm one of the many collectors who are not fans of the new Upper Deck distribution policy. In my opinion, Upper Deck is taking on the internet... and that's a war that no company will win in the long run.

The policy has resulted in fewer Upper Deck purchases on my end. However, since I was already committed to a few packs of 2010-11 UD Ultimate Collection Hockey before the policy came into effect, I'm not the type of person to turn my back on some busting.

The first pack was uneventful until the final card. A Jason Spezza base card /399, a Jamie Arniel RC /399, a Chris Stewart Ultimate Signature, all fine but not worthy of a big smile... and then, my favourite goalie of them all.  A Patrick Roy dual jersey/autograph /25!!!

There's no way I could match that with Pack #2, right?

Wrong.

Again, it was an uneventful beginning. A Ron Hextall base card /399, a Brandon Pirri RC /399, a redemption which I didn't look at closely, and a Debut Threads jersey of Ian Cole /200. When I took a closer look at the redemption card, the interest turned to a grin turned to a smile. An Ultimate Signatures Sidney Crosby autograph redemption card!  My first SC87 auto!

Two great hits. Yes!
Will it make me buy more Upper Deck. No!

Awesome Card of the Week

From 2007-08 In The Game Ultimate Memorabilia 8th Edition comes this Retro Teammates jersey card of legends Vladislav Tretiak and Valeri Kharlamov.

Both thorns in the side of many Canadian hockey fans during the 1970's and 1980's, these veterans of the Soviet Union hockey team are important additions to any collection. The bonus of this card is the inclusion of seams and stitching from the Kharlamov jersey.

Awesome Card of the Week

In The Game has a great VIP Program.

It's pretty simple...
1. Open In The Game products.
2. Save the box-tops.
3. Send the box-tops to In The Game.
4. In The Game sends you a jersey card.

Today, I received my In The Game VIP Program memorabilia card in the mail. It was a Jeremy Roenick three-colour patch with thick seams and stitching from his days as a Chicago Blackhawk.

One cool feature is that my name is printed on the back of the card. Some collectors may not like being joined that closely to a card but I think it's a great idea.

It also means... I'll probably never try to move it!

Topps Diamond Giveaway - Order #2

My second order from the Topps Diamond Giveaway focused more on memories than value.

Growing up in Canada, the Blue Jays were my team. A distant second were the Montreal Expos.

My favourite player was Dave Stieb and he ended up being one of the best pitchers of the 1980's

Although none of these cards are high value cards, they're great additions to my collection. Players who had some great years with the Blue Jays such as Buck Martinez, Lloyd Moseby, Rance Mulliniks, and Cliff Johnson. Some other great Expos like Warren Cromartie and Tim Wallach.

It's fun to see their stats. When you cheer for them so long ago, sometimes you can forget how good (or bad) they actually were until you check out the stats on the back of the cards.

A great trip down memory lane.