Blog Trade #16: Plaschke, Thy Sweater Is Argyle

Earlier this year, Greg (author of Dodger blog: Plaschke, Thy Sweater Is Argyle) and I pulled of a traded that added several PC additions to my collection.

Nine months later... we've done it again. I shipped off a Donnie Edwards autograph, a Ryan Zimmerman jersey card, a Gary Sheffield bat card, and a Sergei Fedorov jersey card.

In return, I received these:

2011 Crown Royale Steve Bartkowki Jersey

Bartkowski was the first player chosen in the 1975 NFL Draft and a legendary CAL Bear. He'll never be enshrined at Canton, but he had a decent career for the Atlanta Falcons... taking them to the playoffs three times and representing them in the Pro Bowl in 1980 & 1981.

This is the only card that doesn't really fit into any of my PC's... but at the same time... I'm not interested in trading it either. It's one of those cards that keeps me in touch with my childhood.

2009 UD Sweet Spot Trevor Hoffman Jersey Relic

When it comes to the San Diego Padres... there just aren't many legends in their franchise history. Of course, there's Tony Gwynn. Dave Winfield. Ozzie Smith. Steve Garvey. Randy Jones. And let's be real... Winfield, Smith, & Garvey aren't usually remembered for their days in San Diego.

Trevor Hoffman's 601 saves puts him on that list too. He spent 16 seasons with the Padres and has pitched in more games than any other player in franchise history. In fact, his 902 appearances are more than double than Craig Lefferts (375), who's second on the list.

Thanks Greg... this relic card is the tenth addition to my Hoffman relic PC.

1980's Rookie Cards

I'm a huge fan of 80's rookie cards. And if you collected in the 80's, then you know these guys. Clark and Coleman will never be enshrined in Cooperstown... but like Bartkowski... they're a part of my past. The jury is still out on Raines... but out of the three, he has the greatest shot at entering the Hall.

San Jose Sharks PC Additions

I'm always on the lookout for new Sharks memorabilia cards and autographs, so I was stoked to hear that Greg had these three cards that I needed.

Malhotra only played in San Jose for one season, but he was a fan favorite. McLaren is a left winger who has spent most of his time in Worcester, playing in the AHL since the Sharks drafted him in 2007. I'm not sure he'll ever be good... but I needed an autograph of him.

And of course... you can never have too many relic cards of Patrick Marleau... the greatest player in franchise history. Marleau is the franchise leader in most offensive categories... and if he's not on top... he's definitely in the top 10. I've said it before... I hope he plays his whole career in San Jose.

Non-Sports Novelties

Greg must know that I'm a teacher... because these two cards will probably be given to some students. The first is a Christopher Columbus insert card from 2010 A&G.

The other is a Fans of the Game insert of pop sensation, Justin Bieber. This is the second Bieber card I've received in the past three weeks. The first one came from a trade with Justin over at The Hopeful Chase. I gave it to one of my sixth period girls.

Tomorrow... someone else will be one happy camper. Who says collecting cardboard is only for guys?

Random Pieces of Cardboard

Last, but not least... Greg threw in a bunch of San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres, along with a few Japanese baseball players for my PC. All of these were bonuses he threw in... and much appreciated.

Thanks Greg for another successful trade. I'm sure it won't be our last.

Here is today's question...

How many women in your life collect cardboard?

I've given a bunch of cards to students who are girls... met and talked to a few woman at shows... watched a few female YouTubers bust packs... and have read a couple of blogs authored by ladies.

But when it comes to immediate friends or family... I don't know anyone who is an actual collector. An ex-girlfriend of mine... who is still a close friend... has a bunch of Sharks cards and soccer cards that I've given to her... but she's never been interested in collecting herself.

What about you?

Well... time for dinner. Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday. Sayonara!

Brett... what did I do to deserve this?

Sitting in the lunchroom today... I walked in on a conversation about Brett Favre. By now, I'm sure all of you have heard about ESPNChicago.com's report that Favre would consider listening to Chicago if they were interested in his services. Thankfully the Bears aren't interested, but that's not the point.

I'm not sure how I missed that news... maybe I was still recovering from the close game between the Giants and Packers... where Favre's successor... Mr. Rodgers calmly led the Packers down the field with under a minute to go. Which eventually led to Mason Crosby sealing the deal with a time expiring, game winning field goal.

Okay... I need to focus. Let's get back to Mr. Favre... who was my favorite football player for nearly two decades. What are you thinking buddy? Would you really be willing to play for the Chicago Bears? Do you hate the Green Bay Packers and their fans that much?

It can't be about money. And it's not about records... since you have most of them already. If this report is truly real... then I can only assume, it's out of spite.

But Brett, I assure you... you don't have to go there. Now that you're retired... I'm ready for you to have your jersey number retired in Green Bay. Just sit back, relax, and embrace all of your fans as one of the greatest Packers to step onto the Frozen Tundra.

Just promise me one thing... no more talk about coming out of retirement... and please accept the fact that Mr. Rodgers is the new kid in town.

There's enough room for both of you guys in the Packers Hall of Fame.

By the way... here's my latest addition to my Brett Favre PC. It's a mini helmet I purchased off of Brett's website: www.officialbrettfavre.com.

I've wanted an autographed mini-helmet for years, but could never afford one. Well... I'm not sure if he's trying to flood the market with his autographs, but he's been blowing out his autographs for a few months now... including these mini helmets. He's selling a bunch of autographed 8x10's for only $44.44. And this helmet was only $99.00 (+ $6 shipping).

Each of his autographs comes with a COA, matching holograms (one on the autographed item, the other on the COA), and a picture of him signing the item (probably not the exact item, but it's from the same signing).

Maybe he know's he's frustrated more than a handful of his loyal fans and is trying to win us back by selling us discounted autographs. It's okay Brett... I still love you. Now get out there, enjoy your retirement, and stop talking to ESPN.

Happy Tuesday everyone. I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their week. Sayonara!

Repeat or Redemption?

It's been almost four years... but for N.Y. Giants and Green Bay Packers fans alike... it seems like yesterday.

January 20th, 2008 - Brett Favre threw an overtime interception against the N.Y. Giants in the NFC Championship game... which eventually led to a 47 yard field goal by Lawrence Tynes to seal the deal and send the Giants to Super Bowl XLII.

February 3rd, 2008 - The underdog N.Y. Giants go up against the 18-0 New England Patriots... and against all odds... win Super Bowl XLII.

Each week.... as the Packers take a single step closer to the unmentionable... the pressure builds. Everyone is going to bring their "A" game to become "the one" who takes them down. This week it's Eli Manning & the New York Giants.

Will McCarthy, Rodgers and the Packers find redemption from the overtime sins of #4?

Or will Coughlin, Manning & the Giants repeat history... and hold another team back from reaching "perfection"?

Repeat or redemption... that is the question.

Go Pack Go!

Happy Sunday everyone... sayonara!

I'm not a big fan of birds...

Today... I received a prize from the sky. Yep... a bird dropped a bomb on me at work. At least it entertained my fifth period class... who got a kick out of seeing me freak out. Have I ever mentioned that I suffer from a mild case of "mysophobia"? In other words... I don't like germs. I'm one of those guys who doesn't like to eat chips out of a bag that's had a thousand hands in it.

Anyways... to make a long story short... after I was finished changing clothes... I realized that I actually hit the jackpot.

At the start of the school year, my friends and I came up with a deal. The first person to get "pooped" on wins $5 each from the other participants. Five of us were in on it... which means that I'm $20 richer.

It's not much... but hopefully I'll find something to take my mind off of my stained shirt. Until then... I figure I'd share some Birds of my own.

Here's my 1992-93 Upper Deck "Larry Bird Heroes" set.

#NNO Header Card

#'s 19 through 26

#27 (front)

#27 (back)

It's a ten card set, which could be found in 1992-93 UD high series packs. All of the cards are listed in Beckett at a $1/piece... with the exception of the #NNO header card. If my memory serves me right... the header card books higher, because it was short printed compared to the other nine cards.

You can find these sets on eBay for around $6... or build it yourself on COMC for under $3.50 (before shipping).

As the title of this post says... I'm not a big fan of birds. Including Larry Bird. But I do love inserts from the 90's... especially the early 90's.

Today's question has nothing to do with cards... and everything to do with birds.

How many times have you been blessed by the birds in your lifetime?

I have no idea why anyone would want to answer this question. Maybe it's so you can make peace with our winged friends. Anyways... I just wanted to let everyone know that today was the fifth time that I can remember.

Actually... a few years ago, I was pooped on twice in a three week period. Best of all... I was wearing the same maroon thermal both times. Lucky me ;-)

Well... I hope everyone enjoyed their Friday as much as I have. Sayonara!

Sayonara Salute #15: Mike Grier

Today Mike Grier announced his retirement after spending fourteen years in the NHL. Mr. Grier is the first African-American hockey player to make significant contributions on the ice.

The St. Louis Blues drafted him in the 9th round of the 1993 NHL Draft, but was traded to the Edmonton Oilers before skating his first NHL game. He spent his first six seasons with them and eventually was traded a few more times, before signing with San Jose in 2006.

Although I knew of Mr. Grier from collecting cardboard in the 90's... I didn't know much about him. However... during his three years in the Bay Area, he grew into a fan favorite, who always skated hard. He may not have been the greatest scorer or assist man, but he definitely brought "passion" to the team.

Enjoy your retirement Mr. Grier... you deserve it!