Set Showcase #25: 2008 Topps Campaign

Tomorrow's election day and if everything goes smoothly, we'll soon find out who will be leading our country for the next four years.

To be honest, I'm not very political.  But if it relates to cardboard, then I'm all over it.  So today, I'm going to show off my 2008 Topps Campaign set that features twelve of the 2008 presidential candidates.

Let's kick things off with the two key candidates in this year's election:

President Obama and Governor Romney

And of course the 2008 Republican presidential nominee...

Senator John McCain

A pair of President Obama's current cabinet members:

Vice President Joe Biden

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

Two members of the U.S. House of Representatives:

The former governor of New Mexico...

The former governor of Arkansas...

Two former United States Senators:

And last, but not least... a Saturday Night Live host and one of the most famous cross dressing mayors in New York City's history...

So what do you think?

Pretty cool set right?  It doesn't hurt that I'm a huge fan of the 2008 Topps card design.  And the best part is the price.  You can pick up sets off of eBay for around $7 to $15.  You can also build these sets for under $5 on COMC.

Happy Monday and sayonara!

Extra Election Day Edition!

There are actually a few cards I've left out of my original post, because they're short prints, I couldn't afford:  A Pair of Palins, the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize winner, and of course The Terminator.

I'm sure there are super collectors out there who have the whole sixteen card set.  But one card you don't own is this 1 of 1, rare sticker auto of a guy who will never run for office:

So take that... Mr. Super Collector!

Sunday Morning Soapbox: The MLB, NBA, NHL, and the NFL

Dear Major League Baseball,

I miss you!  Hurry up and come back to me!

-Sad & Somber SanJoseFuji

Dear National Basketball Association,

I'm officially breaking up with you.  Don't worry, I won't be throwing away our things.  In fact, I'll still collect Kobe Bryant relics and of course silently cheer for the Golden State Warriors.  Heck, I might even attend one of your games if you're giving away something cool.

But the fact is... we've been growing apart the past few years and I just haven't enjoyed your company like I did when we first met.  It was fun while it lasted and I wish you (especially the Warriors) the best of luck.  Hopefully... one day you'll avoid promoting "super teams" and bring a little "parity" into your life.  Then maybe... our lives will again cross paths.

Until then... sayonara sucka!

-Stagnant & Sullen in San Jose

Dear National Hockey League,

I just broke up with the NBA and was hoping to spend more time with you.  But it looks like you're turning your back on me, when I need you the most.  What the heck am I going to do after the Super Bowl?

Please... please... please come back.  If you do, I promise that you'll never stand in the NBA's shadow again.

-Desperately Seeking Sharks in San Jose.

Dear National Football League,

Thank you for realizing you made a mistake.  As I tell my students, it's okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from them.  Your replacement officials may have cost my Packers a win, but in the end the real officials are back and that's what matters.

Our relationship truly makes me feel like I'm bipolar.  There are days, I wish we had more time to spend together... I mean, five months just doesn't feel like enough time.  Then again... football on Thursdays just doesn't feel right unless I'm sitting down stuffing my face with turducken surrounded by family.

But honestly... I can't complain.  Outside of the MLB you're the most dependable relationship I have in sports.  Thanks... and here's to the future!  Go Packers & Seahawks!

-Satisfied San Jose Sybil

The Pay It Forward Project

Earlier this week, I opened my mailbox and was surprised to see a package from Mr. Zakwin over at Plaschke, Thy Sweater Is Argyle.  As I prepared to reveal its contents, I was thinking... is this from a long, lost trade?  Did I buy anything from him?  What the heck is this?

But as soon as I pulled the card out... I knew exactly what it was.  Last week, Greg wrote a post about a few vintage card purchases he made off of eBay.  We sure live in a small blogging world, because he made the purchases off of Eric over at Manupatches & Mustaches.

Anyways... I saw this awesome century old tobacco card and immediately wanted to find one for my collection.  Well thanks to Greg, I no longer need to track one down.

1905 John Player & Sons "Countries Arms & Flags" #6

If you're not familiar with John Player & Sons, they're a English tobacco company who first issued cards in 1893.  They went on to produce over 200 different sets.

I was amazed at the condition of this card.  The colors are still bright and the card stock is sturdier than some of the products produced in the late 80's.  

But that wasn't the only card in the package.  There was also this:

Is this cool or what?  Like the movie, I will most definitely be paying it forward.  If you're unfamiliar with the concept... instead of paying back Greg with a cool Matt Kemp or Ryan Getzlaf card, I'll send something out to someone else... hence the term, "paying it forward".

It's actually the second time I've been involved with this type of project.  Last year jaybarkerfan introduced me to his "Pay It Forward Project":

Jaybarkerfan continues to give out cards on a regular basis over on his blog: Jaybarkerfan's Junk.

It's awesome to see so much generosity making its way around the blog world.  Speaking of generosity.  The gifts kept arriving this week.  Yesterday, I received these two cards from The Chop Keeper over at The Card Chop:

He posted the pair on his blog last Saturday.  They were a bonus from an eBay purchase and he graciously offered to send them my way.  Thanks Mr. Chop Keeper.  I hope you enjoy the Braves cards I sent you.

Okay... now that I've gotten the "Thank You's" taken care of.  It's time to figure out who I'm going to send my "Pay It Forward" package to.  I already have a few people in mind and I'm looking forward to being a part of this project.  So stay tuned fellow bloggers... this won't be in my possession very long.

Thanks again Greg & Mr. Chop Keeper for these very cool additions to my Japanese PC.  Happy Saturday & sayonara!

Sports Card Trifecta #18: Fernando Valenzuela

Did you collect cardboard back in the early 80's?  If you did, then no doubt you remember Fernandomania!

Fernando Valenzuela is the only pitcher in MLB history to win both a Cy Young Award and the Rookie of the Year Award in the same season.  He accomplished the feat back in 1981, when he was only twenty-one years old (he turned 52 today!).  If that weren't enough... he also took home a World Series ring and a Silver Slugger Award that same season.

That year, he kicked off the season going 8-0 with 5 shutouts, 7 complete games, 68 K's, and a 0.50 ERA in his first eight starts.  During that amazing stretch, he also batted an astounding .360, going 9 for 25 at the plate.

His performance took California media outlets by storm, filled stadiums, and obviously drew people into the (card collecting) hobby.

Both fans and collectors chased his Fleer and Topps rookie cards:

Later in the year, Topps issued their first 132 card factory "traded" set and included a new Valenzuela card.  This time, he didn't have to share the spotlight with Perconte and Scioscia.

Unfortunately... I'm still hunting down this card for my PC.  So if you have an extra one laying around and you're interested in trading it... please let me know.

But just like most things in our hobby... Fernandomania eventually cooled off.  But there are still plenty of collectors who chase and appreciate his cardboard... including myself.  Two years ago, I shelled out $60 for this 2005 Sweet Spot autograph:

And I couldn't stop there.  I recently picked up this 2002 Stadium Club "World Champion Relics" bat card:

And you know what that means... I've finally completed my El Toro Sports Card Trifecta.

Okay... your turn.

What were some of your favorite sports stories that took our hobby by storm?

Happy Birthday Mr. Valenzuela... Happy Thursday... and sayonara!

We're Talkin' Baseball!

Imagine a world where baseball cards could talk.  Well that's exactly what the people at Topps and LJN envisioned back in 1989 when the created the Sports Talk Player:

Each Sports Card Player retailed for $24.99 and included four cards:  #41 Hank Aaron, #82 Orel Hershiser, #123 Don Mattingly, & #164 Checklist.

Each card has a small vinyl record glued to the back:

The player has a needle mechanism that spins around as it reads each individual card's record.

Assuming you had a few AA batteries laying around, collectors now had everything they needed to start listening to their favorite stars in just four simple steps:

#1  Lift the Sports Card Player's plastic covering.

#2  Insert the card of choice.

#3  Close the cover.

#4  Turn it on.

Here's a commercial for the player from back in the day:

Collectors could purchase additional four card packs for around $4.  Each pack was clearly labeled with its contents, so collectors knew exactly what they were getting:

There were a total of 40 different packs to choose from and 164 cards in the set.  The first 8 cards in the set contained highlights from some of the greatest World Series games.  Cards #9 to #41 were retired stars and legends like: #17 Ernie Banks, #20 Babe Ruth, #27 Stan Musial, and #34 Pete Rose.

The remaining 123 cards (with the exception of card #164) consisted of rising stars, key veterans, and of course all of your favorite super stars.

Each card measured 3.25" x 5.25", which means they were larger compared to the standard 2.5" x 3.5" trading card.  You can see for yourself the size difference below:

The odd size makes these cards difficult to store, but I discovered that four pocket pages seem to do the job.  They slide around a little, but as long as you don't turn your binder upside down you'll be okay.

How much can you expect to pay for a complete set and player?  I purchased a lot of three new players and four unopened packs for $35 (delivered) off of eBay a few months ago.  I ended up selling one of the players for $20 at the flea market and kept the other two.

I also found someone selling a complete case of 40 unopened packs (a complete set) for $39.95 (+ $12.70 shipping) on eBay, so for $67.65 I have two players, a complete set, and four unopened packs.

Today's technology definitely makes the concept behind this product a little obsolete.  But if you're into 80's nostalgia or cool cardboard oddballs, then you should check these cards out.

So...

What do you think?  Cool?  Weird?  Not my cup of tea?

Happy Tuesday and sayonara!