I'm officially worried...

I've haven't written much about the San Jose Sharks this season, except for the few times I've gone out to grab autographs. But that doesn't mean, I haven't been thinking about them.

This season has been pretty disappointing in terms of their overall record... but I never once gave up hope. Each time they lost... I figured maybe it was a good thing. Maybe they'd enter the playoffs as a 4th or 5th seed and feel a sense of urgency and play hungrier. Maybe that's what it was going to take for them to get over the hump.

But after last night's loss to the Los Angeles Kings... I'm officially worried.

I know they've had their fare share of injuries... but their roster is loaded with talent and they're deep enough to withstand an injured player here or there. And I know Antti Niemi isn't a Vezina candidate, but he helped the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup two years ago.

It seriously doesn't make any sense to me.

Anyways... I figured I'd use this post to show off some new San Jose Sharks PC additions, courtesy of Sports Card Radio's Card For A Cause II hockey group break.

Just like last time, you had the opportunity to bid on teams. I placed bids on a bunch of teams, but ended up only winning the Sharks for $5. Here's what I ended up getting:

2011-12 Leaf Certified Base Cards

My first official San Jose Sharks cards of Brent Burns and Martin Havlat... along with a Antti Niemi.

2011-12 Crown Royale "All the King's Men" Jersey Card

Crown Royale is loaded with four hits per box and I was fortunate enough to grab one of them, so I'm pretty happy.

Thanks Annie & Colin for hosting another group break for charity. I'm looking forward to joining the next one almost as much as I look forward to seeing the Sharks finally playing to their ability. Go Sharks!

Have a great day... and sayonara!

Domo Arigato: Annie & Colin @ Sports Card Radio

Earlier this month, I entered a unique group break over at Sports Card Radio's Fan Forum. I typically don't enter group breaks, but this particular one was different.

First: The break included six boxes of cards: two retail boxes of 2012 Topps Series 1 baseball, a box of 2011 Bowman Platinum baseball, a box of 2010 Bowman Chrome baseball, a box of 2011 Panini Plates & Patches football, and a box of 2011 Panini Limited football.

Second: You got to pick the team(s) you were interested in. The thing that makes it unique was that you entered bids, like a silent auction. I ended up winning the San Francisco Giants for $21.

Third: You received ALL of the cards pulled, not just the inserts & hits.

Fourth: All of the money raised (over $300) will be donated to the National Kidney Foundation.

Here's a quick look at what I received from my break:

2012 Topps base cards

2011 Bowman Platinum base cards

A "Lot" Full of Gold

2011 Plates & Patches #151 Marcus Cannon RC (011/100)

2011 Limited #111 Terrell Davis (056/499)

And last, but not least... a 2012 Topps Golden Giveaway card...

Which was redeemed for this...

Lol... it's a digital coin, which is pretty much worthless to me. But... at least it's of someone I collect.

Thanks again Annie & Colin. This was an amazing event... well organized... and with good intentions. Let me know when you guys are doing it again, and I will surely be there.

Have a great weekend everyone. Sayonara!

Domo Arigato: Ryan & Colin @ Sports Card Radio

About a year after I re-entered the hobby for the ump-teenth time... I strolled across the Sports Card Radio Podcast on iTunes. Two and a half years later, it's the only podcast that I listen to on a regular basis.

I'm not going to carry on too much about Colin and Ryan's podcast too much, since I've already done it in one of my Hobby Hero posts. Nope... today I'm writing to thank them for their generosity and hard work on their other creation: Sports Card Radio Forum.

If you're not a member... then get over there right now and sign up. It's a great place to meet other collectors, trade, talk sports, and win free cards. I promise you that you'll have no regrets.

This past Thursday, I received a huge padded envelope with four stacks of cards. The cards were prizes and random cards from various group breaks... FREE GROUP BREAKS. It's insane the amount of stuff they give away over there. Here's just a sampling of some of the cards included in the package:

Okay... the Falcons have just scored. Gotta cut this post short and focus on the game. Go Pack Go!

Colin & Ryan... if you're reading this... Thanks a lot for the cards. You guys are awesome... but... you made a huge mistake. You gave me your address. Now... I can finally send you these Bengals cards that I've been holding on to. Ryan... don't worry... there are a couple of cards in there for you too.

Everyone else... make sure to stay safe on this special holiday weekend. Sayonara!

Wait... almost forgot Saturday's question of the day:

Are you a member of the Sports Card Radio Forum? If so, what's your screen name? If not... what are you waiting for?

Hobby Hero #3 : Colin Tedards (Sports Card Radio)

My definition of a hobby hero is a person who has a positive impact on the sports card collecting community. Colin Tedards and his brother Ryan produce one of the best sports card podcasts on iTunes, called Sports Card Radio. On the show, Colin discusses hobby news, scouting reports, product reviews, contests, and provides guest interviews.

In addition to this podcast, Colin and Ryan also run a online forum for collectors called, Sports Card Radio Fan Forum. I encourage all collectors to sign up on there if you're interested in meeting other collectors for discussions, trading, group breaks, or if you want an opportunity to win some free cards.

I think that both of these guys are great influences on our hobby, because they spend a lot of their personal time and finances into bringing collectors together. They're both always positive and their generosity is second to none. I've never seen so many free group breaks and card giveaways.

Here are just of few of the highlights from their box breaks:

Card #1: Seattle Mariners Franchise History (Free Topps Series 2 box break - Mariners)

Card #2: Antawn Jamison Panini R&S "Red Parallel" #'d 098/250 (Free box break - Wizards)

Card #3: Luis Durango on card autograph (Free 2010 Chicle break - A's, Padres, & Mariners)

Card #4: Alex Rodriguez Allen & Ginter bat relic #'d 8/25 ($5 box break - 3 team: Yankees, Mariners, & Tigers)

Thanks Colin & Ryan for everything you do for the hobby. You're heroes in my book!

Podcast: Sports Card Radio
Forum: Sports Card Radio Forum
Ryan's Blog: Sports Card Report