Sports Card Trifecta #12: Patrick Marleau

Back to back Sharks posts? Yes sir... it's a rare event... but I need to give credit, where credit is due. And last night Patrick Marleau saved me from being sent to an insane asylum.

In a nutshell... the Sharks were beating the Pittsburgh Penguins 2 to1 with less than a minute to go when they allowed Tyler Kennedy to tie it up. Disheartening... frustrating... painful... can't really find the right word to describe how I felt... but a mixture of those three words is a good starting point.

Then in overtime Patrick Marleau had a good chance to end the game on a nice breakaway, but Marc-Andre Fleury made an incredible save. The hockey gods must have been pleased with his effort, because with 4 seconds left in the game Marleau scored to help the Sharks win their fifth game in a row.

Marleau is the San Jose Sharks all-time leader in games played (1,015), goals (344), and points (739). He has spent his full 13 year career in the NHL as a Shark and if it's up to me, he'll spend the rest of his career wearing Teal & Black.

To show my appreciation for everything that Patrick Marleau has done over the years... I present to you my Sports Card Trifecta of him:

Rookie Card: 1996-97 Upper Deck #384

Autographed Card: 2001-02 BAP

Signature Series "Autograph" #144

Memorabilia Card: 2000-01 SP Game Used

"Tools of the Game" #PM

Before I wrap this up... I just wanted to say that I really admire athletes who play their whole careers with one organization. I understand how difficult it is because of trades and free agency... but there's no coincidence that a lot of the players I collect fall under this category: Tony Gwynn, Steve Largent (he played several preseason games for the Houston Oilers, but all of his regular season games were with the Hawks), Magic Johnson, Kurt Suzuki, Devin Setoguchi, Kobe Bryant, Aaron Rodgers, Ray Lewis, and Ed Reed. Of course... several of these players will probably switch teams before their careers are over... but if it were up to me, they'd spend the rest of their careers with the team they're on.

How about you? Have any of your favorite athletes spent their entire career with one organization? If so... who?

I can't believe this week has flown by... only one more day until the weekend. Enjoy the rest of your week. Sayonara!