If you love something, set it free...

Okay... so this is something you usually hear when you're talking about being in love with someone... but today I'm not talking about a girl... I'm talking about sports cards.

A few days ago, I was reading a blog post over at SEWINGMACHINEGUY on CARDS. In his post he mentioned that he found a 1998 Finest jumbo card of Jerry Rice. If you don't remember 1998 Finest, they had a protective peel on each card with the following words written on it:

TOPPS FINEST PROTECTOR

PEEL AND REMOVE COATING

Captain Canuck offered the advice... PEEL IT! PEEL IT NOW!!! and I supported the Captain 100%.

Card companies often add these additional protective measures to their products. Unfortunately, they often make the cards look terrible. So the dilemma is... should you set them free?

Six months ago, I brought this up with the autographs from Topps Retired products from the mid 2000's. Each of the autographs were encapsulated in a protective case with a Topps hologram seal. I had recently purchased some of these autographs off of Beckett and were disappointed to find that some of the cases were scratched. So... the question was... do I set them free?

If you've been following my blog for awhile, then you know that I opened two of the three cases that I purchased. I did it, because I feel that if a card is going to be in my personal collection, then it's important that I can appreciate their beauty. Obviously... there's a chance that they'll be less desirable to other collectors... but who cares? They're my cards and I have no intentions of getting rid of them.

So...when I received these in the mail yesterday, I faced the dilemma again. This time it wasn't Topps and their snap cases, but Sport Kings and their foil sealed top loaders.

I've been looking for the Bruce Lee for awhile and I'm pumped to finally add him to my PC. The Chamberlain will also be going into my PC, because he was a Los Angeles Laker. The other three will eventually be added to my trade lists. Which brings me to the point of this blog and today's question of the day...

Should I set them free from their holders?

Are you ready to find out what I did? Well... I kept the Craig, Sakic, and Berry in their protective top loaders provided by Spork Kings. I figure, it's up to whoever wants these to decide their fate. However the Lee and the Chamberlain are no longer prisoners in their semi scratched top loaders. Their new homes are perfectly new penny sleeves, fresh out of the box top loaders, and of course brand new team bags... because I take care of my peeps.

Anyways... I'm thankful that card companies take the time to add extra protection to their products... but like my momma once said... If you love something, set it free! And that's what I just did.

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Domo Arigato: Elbert @ Hawaiian Baseball

Thank you Elbert for the wonderful care package you sent me. If you're a fan of the Dodgers or Hawaiian baseball players, then I encourage you to check out Elbert's two blogs:

Hawaiian Bam Bam's Dodger Baseball Card Blog

The first blog is dedicated to his collection of Dodger autographs. He currently has 635 out of the 1,071 modern era Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers players' signatures. That's one amazing feat.

Hawaiian Baseball

His other blog features baseball players from Hawaii. I'm especially interested in this site, because I have a lot of relatives who live there... and that's where my family is from.

Now onto the goodies. A few weeks ago Elbert sent me a message over at SCF telling me he had a card for my PC. Today his package arrived... and there was a lot more than just a single card. In fact there were thirty cards in his package... covering 2 different PC's.

First up... my Japanese player PC additions:

This first group of cards shows off the 28 different baseball cards of Japanese players that he sent. Incredibly... I didn't have any of these... so all of them are going straight into my PC. In addition to these, he also sent me a beautiful jersey card of Kasuhiro Sasaki. Sasaki was the American League Rookie of the Year in 2000. He was also an all-star for the Mariners in 2001 and 2002. He would later go back to Japan, where he would play two more seasons before retiring in 2005.

2002 Stadium Club "World Stage Relic" #WS-KS

The final card in the care package is one of my favorite cards of all-time. It's card #531 from the 1982 Donruss baseball set and no... it's not the Cal Ripken Jr. rookie card... it's better than that. It's the San Diego Chicken. Anyone who watched baseball during the 80's knows who the San Diego Chicken. He was a regular member of The Baseball Bunch, which was a television show that featured Johnny Bench and other professional baseball players. Each episode featured a different aspect of the game of baseball... and the Sand Diego Chickent along with the rest of The Baseball Bunch would learn from lessons taught by Mr. Bench and his guests.

So... when I was a kid, this card was one of the most popular cards on the block. Now, it's back in my collection... thanks to Hawaiian Bam Bam.

Okay... Elbert... it's my turn. Keep an eye out for a care package from me... and thanks again for these awesome PC additions.

Today's question of the day requires you to think back to your childhood.

What was your favorite card when you were a kid? Why?

Only a few more days until we get to stuff our faces with turkey and pumpkin pie... and of course we get the opportunity to give thanks. Have a great week everyone.

Set Showcase #4: 1980/81 Topps NBA Poster Set

I saw these posters on someone's blog a few weeks ago and knew I had to have these in my collection. I found a set on eBay with a starting bid of $8.99 (+ $3.00 shipping) and placed my bid. Thankfully, I was the only bidder... however I was willing to pay up to $15 for the set.

I know they're not worth much, but...

A. they're different (it's not often you see card companies inserting oversized team posters into their packs)

B. they feature a simple, yet awesome design (the remind me of 1977 Topps baseball)

C. they're old (well, not super old... but these posters are 30 years old).

All of these factors put together make this $11.99 purchase well worth while. Most of them are seriously off-centered, but other than that... they're clean.

These posters were inserted into packs of 1980/81 Topps basketball at a rate of one per pack. There were a total of 16 different posters included in the set (7 teams were left out). From looking at the Lakers poster, the photos used seem to be from the 1979/80 season... but I could be mistaken.

Set: 16 posters (1:1 pack)

#8 Los Angeles Lakers

#15 Butch Lee, #14 Brad Holland, #54 Mark Landsberger, #7 Marty Byrnes, #21 Michael Cooper, #10 Norm Nixon

#31 Spencer Haywood, #52 Jamaal Wilkes, #33 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, #32 Magic Johnson, #9 Jim Chones

Out of all of the posters... the LA poster is by far my favorite. It features a first year photo of Magic Johnson, along with Laker Legends: Abdul-Jabbar, Wilkes, Cooper, and Nixon. The team photo also includes Jerry Buss (owner), Paul Westhead (head coach), and Pat Riley (assistant coach). I think that's Jerry West next to Chones, but I'm not 100% sure.

Here's the rest of the set...

#1 Atlanta Hawks #2 Boston Celtics #3 Chicago Bulls #4 Cleveland Cavaliers #5 Detroit Pistons

#6 Houston Rockets #7 Indiana Pacers #9 Milwaukee Bucks #10 New Jersey Nets #11 New York Knickerbockers

#12 Philadelphia 76ers #13 Phoenix Suns #14 Portland Trail Blazers #15 Seattle Supersonics #16 Washington Bullets

Along with a list of the teams not included in the set...

Dallas Mavericks

Denver Nuggets

Golden State Warriors

Kansas City Kings

San Antonio Spurs

San Diego Clippers

Utah Jazz

Topps included eleven teams from the Eastern Conference. However, only five of the twelve Western Conference teams were represented. I understand why they didn't include the Mavericks... it was they're inaugural season, so they might not have had access to a photo. However, I really wish they would have included the Golden State Warriors.

So today's question of the day is... assuming that Topps is only allowed to create a 16 team poster set.

Which teams would you take out... and which teams would you substitute in?

Well... I hope everyone had a great weekend. I know I'm happy... the Packers just beat the Vikings... 31 to 3. I guess my Rodgers sports card trifecta helped ;-)

So Charles... does that mean I get 5 cards from your tradelist?

Happy Sunday everyone!

Sports Card Trifecta #4: Aaron Rodgers

Brett Favre has been my favorite NFL player for 17 out of the past 19 seasons. During his 16 years as a Green Bay Packer, there wasn't another player who came close... well maybe Sterling Sharpe for Favre's first couple of seasons... but after he took the Packers to the playoffs in his first full season as a starter... Favre was my man.

Even after the messy split... I supported Favre. He wasn't on a rival team... and he wasn't even in the same Conference... so I cheered him on while he was a Jet.

Then in 2009... Favre did the unspeakable. He signed with the Minnesota Vikings. Ever since then... Aaron Rodgers has been my guy.

I was really excited the day Rodgers was drafted by the Green Bay Packers with the 24th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. It was a total surprise to me and my friends who all thought he'd go a lot earlier. We all had the privilege to watch Rodgers play at Cal, where he led the Bears to the #4 ranking in the country.

Obviously... Rodgers didn't get to play much his first three seasons in the NFL. But once Favre announced his retirement in 2008, that opened the window of opportunity for him... and it's been Mr. Rodgers neighborhood ever since.

In 2008 and 2009, he surpassed the 4,000 yard mark both times and threw a total of 58 touchdown passes, while only having 20 passes picked off. During his first two full seasons, he also rushed for an additional 9 touchdowns. He made his first Pro Bowl appearance last year after having a 103.2 QB rating.

This season has been a little more challenging for Rodgers and the Packers, because of the numerous injuries the team has suffered. He lost his #1 running back, Ryan Grant during the first game of the season. Later, he lost his #1 tight end, Jermichael Finley for the season. Several other targets of his have also been out here and there: Donald Lee, Donald Driver, and James Jones.

However one of things I like about Rodgers is that he makes the most out what he has. His stats aren't quite as good as last year's, but he's still on pace to throw for over 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Hopefully, he'll also take the Packers deep into the playoffs this year. It's just another task on his "to do" list.

Before he thinks about the playoffs though, he'll have to face his mentor one more time. Last season, he lost to Favre both times the Packers faced the Vikings. This year, he got revenge when he beat Favre at Lambeau.

This week... things are different. They're in Minnesota... where Favre has played exceptionally well the past two games. Plus, he'll most likely have his favorite target (Sidney Rice) back on Sunday.

No doubt... this will be a huge test for Rodgers and the Packers. They've been amazing the past few weeks with huge wins over the Vikings, Jets, and Cowboys. But that's the past and the Vikings are the future.

So... today I'm showing off my Aaron Rodgers sports card trifecta... in hopes it'll bring him and the Green Bay Packers just enough luck to beat Favre. Without further adieu...

Rookie Card: 2005 Topps #431

Autographed Card: 2005 Leaf Rookies & Stars #201 (074/150)

Memorabilia Card: 2006 SPx "Winning Materials" #WMV-AR

Alright... it's time for today's question of the day:

Who's going to win on Sunday? Favre or Rodgers?

I'll be honest... I think that the Vikings will end up winning. However I think it'll be close... 35 to 31. Hopefully this trifecta brings the Pack a little luck and proves me wrong... because it doesn't get any easier for them after Minnesota... The Packers play one of the best teams in the league two weekends from now... the Falcons... IN ATLANTA!

I guess we'll see if the Packers are ready to take that next step. Have a great weekend everyone.

Go Pack Go!

I love the 80's #5: McDonald's Football Cards

In 1986, McDonalds handed out one football card with each purchase. Cities with local football teams were given players from that team. For example... if you lived in Chicago, you would receive a Bears player. This included areas with nearby football teams. Since, I lived in San Jose... my buddies and I collected the Raiders and 49er's cards. McDonalds in cities without a local football team passed out players from the McDonald's All-Stars set.

Unfortunately, none of mine survived the 80's... because at the bottom of each card there was a scratch-off, which people the chance to win prizes. There were four different colored scratch-offs. In other words... each team had four sets (same players, different colored scratch-off). From what I read... the blue is the most difficult to find, because they were handed out the first week. Each of the other colors (green, gold, and black) were handed out during the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th weeks of the promotion. All of my sets have the green scratch-off.

Anyways... if I remember correctly, you could win free food. Either way... I tore all of my scratch-offs off of my cards and eventually threw away all of them.

Then a couple of weeks ago, I saw someone selling these at the flea market and I instantly wanted them for my collection. His prices were a little out of my league, so I searched eBay and found a guy who would combine shipping for multiple sets.

I was able to pick up 5 sets for $24.75 and that's including shipping. I picked up the All-Stars set, because it has some of the biggest names in football from the 80's: Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Walter Payton, and Marcus Allen.

If you're a regular reader of my blog... then you know I'm a Packer and Seahawks fan... so I obviously picked up these two sets.

Both sets contain 24 cards. I was excited to see that Jim Zorn (one of the greatest Seahawk QB's of all-time) was featured in his Packer's uniform. It's the first time I've seen a card of him wearing the green and gold. This set also features my favorite Packer's QB from the 80's... Mr. Lynn Dickey. However... I was quite surprised to see that HOF wide receiver... James Lofton was not included.

The Seahawks set featured a ton of fan favorites: Norm Johnson, Dave Krieg, Dave Brown, Curt Warner, Kenny Easley, Fredd Young, Joe Nash, Jacob Green, and of course... my favorite Seahawk of all-time... Mr. Steve Largent.

I also picked up the Oakland Raiders set, since that's what I collected when I was a little kid. This set is stacked too. It features: Ray Guy, Jim Plunkett, Mike Haynes, Marcus Allen, Lester Hayes, Todd Christensen, Rod Marten, Matt Millen, and Howie Long.

Last, but not least... I picked up the Dallas Cowboys set. I hate the Cowboys... but I really wanted the Tony Dorsett and Herschel Walker cards. Unfortunately, I didn't received the Walker... but the rest of the cards arrived safely. I'm currently talking to the seller in an effort to acquire a Walker for the set. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I also have the blue 49er's set on the way. I wanted this one... because it features a 1986 card of Hall of Famer... Jerry Rice. I'm stoked about this one... I'll also be bidding on a blue set of the Buffalo Bills, because I really want to get my hands on the Bruce Smith... another Hall of Famer.

So... today's question of the day is about McDonalds.

What's your favorite item on their menu?

Last night, we had parent conferences and a few of my friends and I went there for dinner. There's no question... the french fries are my item on the menu... but the McRib is right up there.

Oh... I almost forgot...

Congratulations goes out to Joe (author of The Sandlot)... he was one of the four people who correctly guessed that I regretted buying the video game and the dog. I used random.org and listed the four names (ryan, mariner1, cubsfan731, and (...Joe)). After pressing "randomize" five times... (...Joe) was on top... so he's the winner. I'm not going to say what he's won... but Joe if you're reading this... it was shipped out a couple of days ago. Hope you enjoy it.

Well... hasta luego. Only one more day 'til Thanksgiving break!

P.S. I also forgot to mention... if you're interested... McDonald's also put out a Chicago Bears Super Bowl set in 1985. If you're interested...they go for around $10 on eBay.