PC Spotlight #20: Manon Rheaume Collection

Every now and then a historical event takes place that sends shockwaves into our hobby.

Twenty years ago on September 23rd, 1992... that caliber of an event took place.

It was on this date that Manon Rheaume became the first and only woman to ever play in an NHL game for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

In an exhibition game against the St. Louis Blues, Rheaume played one period facing nine shots and allowing only two goals... one against future hall of famer: Brendan Shanahan.

Anyways... if you collected cardboard back in 1992, then you know the impact she had on hockey cards and one card company in particular:  Classic Games, Inc.  She became an overnight sensation.

Twenty years later, her trading cards have cooled off a little.  But her autographs still command a decent dime.

Here's my cardboard collection of Manon Rheaume:

2008/09 Upper Deck Masterpieces Brushstrokes

1992 Classic Four Sport

1993 Classic Acetate

1995 Assets Gold

1992 Classic

1993 Classic Pro Prospects

1993 Classic Four Sport

I picked up the Masterpieces autograph last year for under $10 on eBay.  The acetate card is a sweet looking insert that I found sitting in one of my rookie card boxes from the 90's.

But the rest of the cards have been dime card purchases from card shows over the past few years.  In fact, the last three cards were picked up this weekend at the Serramonte Mall Show.  I'll have a recap of my show purchases tomorrow.

Until then... 

Who are some of your favorite female athletes?

Happy Anniversary Manon!  And the rest of you... have a happy Sunday and sayonara!

I'm the king of the world!

Okay... maybe I'm exaggerating a little.  But Mama Fuji always told me I was special and now the Card Collectors World Forum has confirmed it.  

Back in August, I was informed by one of my cardboard buddies... key2win... that I was CCW's July Member of the Month.

I've been a CCW member for almost three years and have always wanted the flashing "MEMBER OF THE MONTH" plank under my name.  In addition to the plank, I also received  this generous prize package:

Thanks Kerwin and CCW!  I appreciate the prizes and all the support you have given the blog.  I am truly honored to win this award.

If you're not familiar with CCW, I encourage you to head over there and sign up.  Go ahead... click here.  You won't regret it.

They're constantly running free contests, have a great trade manager with the ability to leave member feedback, and an amazing forum that offers thousands of cardboard and sports related threads.  What are you waiting for?

Here's your question of the day...

Are you currently a member of any cardboard collecting forums?

Happy Saturday and sayonara!

When Actors Become Athletes...

Professional athletes are entertainers, so it's not that uncommon for them to make the leap into acting.  Just look at Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bob Uecker, Alex Karras, O.J. Simpson, Ray Allen, and Howie Long.

However it's not often movie stars turn into professional athletes.

Recently, my buddy Mike gave me this 1997 Upper Deck MLS card of Andrew Shue:

Who's Andrew Shue?  Well... some of you may remember him Elisabeth Shue's little brother:

While other might know remember him as Billy Campbell on Melrose Place:

It was during his final years on Melrose that Andrew decided to play professional soccer on the side for the Los Angeles Galaxy.  In fact, he actually had one assist in five games as a reserve midfielder.

Actually, Shue isn't the only entertainer to test their skills against pro athletes.  Check these guys out...

Tom Selleck: 1992 Upper Deck #SP4 w/Frank Thomas

While doing research for his movie, Mr. Baseball... Mr. Selleck pinch hit for Rob Deer during a 1991 Spring Training game.

Bruce Hornsby:  1991 Pro Set SuperStars MusiCards #51

In 1997, Hornsby donned a California Angels jersey and pinch ran for Kevin Bass during a Spring Training game against the Seattle Mariners.

Garth Brooks:  1991 OSU Collegiate Collection #87

Garth hasn't played in just one Spring Training game.  He's played in a bunch of games for multiple teams:  San Diego Padres (1998 & 1999), New York Mets (2000), and the Kansas City Royals (2004).  At one point in 2004, he had a career batting average of .047 (2 for 42), which isn't too shabby for a country western singer.

Billy Crystal:  2008 TriStar PROJections #400

Four years ago, Crystal signed a one day, minor league contract with the New York Yankees and played in an exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.  He struck out in his only at-bat, but at least he had a "marvelous" time.

Okay... it's your turn to write.

Who's your favorite athlete turned actor... or actor turned athlete?

Happy Thursday everyone and sayonara!

Why doesn't this guy just fade off into the sunset?

I don't hide my love for Don West.  In fact, I consider him a hobby hero.  The guy would entertain me and my buddy into the wee hours during the 90's.  In short... the guy was hilarious with hilarious with his overdramatic and exaggerated sports card and memorabilia claims.

But his partner in crime... Ken Goldin is another story.  Since he filed for bankruptcy and his company (Score Board) left tons of collectors waiting for unfulfilled redemptions back in the mid 90's, I've always considered him to be shady.

In my biased mind, Mr. West was sort of the village idiot, while Mr. Goldin was the sleazy car salesmen.  I was entertained by one and annoyed by the other.

Well... guess what?  Goldin is back...

And this time he's running an auction site, which happens to be selling the original document that banned Pete Rose from baseball back in 1989.  The document is signed by Rose, Fay Vincent, and Bart Giamatti... who passed away eight days after the signing.

If you're bored, I encourage you to take a few minutes to check out this video:

You'll get to hear Goldin's explanation on why it's "the single most significant document in the history of baseball."  Seriously... those are his words exactly.  Don't get me wrong... it's a pretty cool piece of history, but hardly the single most significant document in the history of baseball.

Have you ever watched Don West during his Shop at Home years?  What'd you think?

Like I said... I loved him.  But it's hard not to feel bad for some of those grandmothers who would call in to buy their grandchildren's Christmas presents.

Happy Tuesday and sayonara!

To err is human...

It took MLB players 136 years to commit 500,000 errors.

But it only took me over 20 years, to finally add the infamous 1989 Fleer #616 Billy Ripken "F#%k Face" error card to my collection.  

Words can't describe the satisfaction and sense of relief that I felt after slipping this card into a penny sleeve, top loader, and into the darkened shoebox it will now call "home".

It should be pretty obvious why this card became an instant "cult classic", but I've blown up the area of concern just in case:

The card has gained national media attention and there's even a website dedicated to this card and its variations.  Last time I checked, there were at least 8 or 9 different versions of this card.

But in my eyes, the most important one is the card you see above.  It's been estimated that over 100,000 of these cards were inserted into packs, which makes them far from rare.  However for being such an "overproduced" error, this card still commands $5 to $15 on eBay.

Who says that junk wax era cards are worthless?

Okay, it's your turn to share...

What are some of your favorite "error" cards?

Thank you Fleer for creating one of the biggest gaffes in cardboard history.

And congratulations Jose Reyes!  Your name will forever be a part of MLB history.

Happy Sunday and sayonara!