My Sports Collecting New Years Resolutions

Everyone has them. Some keep them, while others will try for a day or so then revert back to their usual ways. I have resolutions just like everyone else. Personal, and otherwise. For this blog, I will list my ten sports collecting resolutions for the upcoming year, in no particular order:

-Organize

This seems to be a resolution every year for me, but I do really need to organize my boxes upon boxes upon boxes of Yankees, Jets, Knicks, Islanders and Devils cards. I have already started with the Yankees, which take up the bulk of my collection. Organizing usually is a calming thing for me. To sit down and go through all my cards, seeing cards I forgot I have, putting them into their proper boxes is a soothing thing for me, but when my back starts hurting, the repetiton and finally the reality that for as much work as I put in to the organizing, I barely make a dent in the organizing. This year though, I vow to see it through so I can finally see what I have, scan and catelouge the cards. I really want to know just how many cards I have already.

-Complete Team Sets

I believe I have completed Yankee team sets going back to the early 70's. I would love to do the same for the Jets, Knicks and Islanders.

-More Vintage

For all the Yankee cards I have in my collection; my pre-1973 Yankee collection is not very good. This is an area I would love to spend some time working on this upcoming year. I have some cards from then 1950's and a few more from the 1960's, but I would love to get as close to completing some team sets as possible. I know I might never own a Mickey Mantle card as he is very expensive, but if I can get close to completing some team sets, I might be able to justify my spending a little extra on some Mantles to finish off the sets.

I have already started picking up some vintage NY Jets cards from the 1960's, including picking up my first Joe Namath card from a 1971 Topps game. I would love to pick up some more as well as grabbing some early 1960's NY Titans cards.

The vintage pick ups doesn't have to end with sports cards, oh no. There are a lot of other cool stuff I want. This past year I picked up a 1969 NY Jets program from Shea Stadium. I would love to grab some more as well as old Yankee, Knicks, Islander programs. I have also kept my eye on those old Yankee popcorn holders that turn into megaphones from the 1950's, pins, pucks, etc. There just so many vintage items that can be added for a great price.

-Jerseys

I love Jerseys. I think they look great and I love wearing them. Problem with them is they are usually just so expensive. I'm not a big fan of knock-off's which is why I have to save up and buy them directly from the stores.

There are a couple I would really love to add to my wardrobe this year:

Mike Bossy

Patrick Ewing

Joe Namath

Mickey Mantle

Martin Brodeur Throwback

I actually have the Devils Throwback jersey. It's never been worn and it has a plain back. I have been meaning to customize it to a Brodeur jersey, but I want his original #29 on the back along with the NHL Anniversery patch as well as the NJ Devils 10th anniversey patch on the lower back by the CCM logo. I would love to have the jersey look like the one he wore when he came up with the team.

I realize I have to be careful buying jerseys off the internet. There are a lot of fakes out there and as a jersey novice, I could be taken for a sucker by one of these places.

-Add More Player PC

I have a few players who I currently collect. Right now, I collect Tino Martinez, Mark Teixeira, Mike Bossy, Martin Brodeur, Patrick Ewing and Wayne Chrebet. I collect anything with their likeness from cards, to figures to magazines, even cereal boxes have made their way into my player collections. I'm always on the hunt for more.

-Autographs, Autographs, Autographs

This past year I rediscovered my love of autographs. I have been adding to my collection either in person or through the mail or buying the autographs certified. This year, I would like to continue adding to my collections. I am working on Yankees, Jets, Knicks, Islanders and Devils players. I have also been working on a signed puck collection from NHL 500 Goal Scorers and I want to continue that as well. I will also look to add Hall Of Famers and other players of importance to my collection.

There are other things I would love to pick up like game used items, but stuff like that is too expensive. Maybe one day I could add a Tino game used bat or a Martin Broduer game used stick.

Hopefully this is a list that I can stick with. Of course, not everything can and will be accomplished but if I can get as much of this list in the new year I will consider it a successful one.

My First Visit To Met Life Stadium

I have been a Jets fan since the 1980 season. Dispite being a Jets fan for so long, I have only been to about 4 games. 1 at Shea Stadium and the other 3 at Giants Stadium, including the final game there. So whenever I get a chance to go to a Jets game I leap at the opportnity. One of my bosses at work gave me the owner of the company's seats for today's game against the San Diego Chargers. Would have liked to have seen a win today, especially since I have yet to see a Jets home loss, but alas, today was the day that streak ended. But enough with the unpleasent stuff. On to the pictures.

The view from my seats

Holiday Greetings from the Jets

Yes, The Sexy Geek wanted to have his picture taken

Game On!



I got autographs from former Jets Tony Richardson and Ken O'Brien.

 

I love that helmet card. I'm going to see if I can find those and use them for TTM'ing.

I was also able to go home with a free Snoopy doll, which will go with the Snoopy bobbleheads I have, a banner, foam finger and t-shirt. I was also able to add a new bobblehead SGA to my collection. They give you a card and you take it to any participating P.C. Richards and you get this:

Ok, I didn't get just 1 card. I got a bunch and walked away with 3 Muhammed Wilkinson bobbleheads. Actually, 4. My buddy gave his. I'm keping one and trading the other 3. Looking for Yankee, Jets, Knicks and Islanders bobbles as well as baseball HOF'ers.

I had a great time at the game. The stadium is beautiful and I hope I can go back and see multiple games over the next few years. It's a great place to watch a football game plus the food is pretty good too. If you can get to watch a game at Met Life Stadium, I would highly reccomend it.

More Bossy and a TTM Success!

I love nothing more than opening my mailbox and finding envelopes full of cards, autographs or other goodies. Going to the Post Office has been something I look forward to during my lunch breaks and when I see something in my box, I'm happy. It helps when I have a bad morning at the office. Makes me a lot happier to go back.

So, what did I get?

I picked up this NHL Legends Bossy/Pavel Bure Essence Of The Game insert. I am sorely lacking on Bossy inserts, so I have to pick up the pace and this addition is a step in the right direction.

I also grabbed this 2012 ITG Superlative Bossy game used jersey card. I got a great deal on it, so I pulled the trigger on it.

Former Denver Bronco/New York Jet Steve Atwater signed my pic and custom in 17 days. Atwater was an 8 time Pro Bowl selection and a 2 time Super Bowl Champion with the Broncos. He played with Denver from 1989-98 before winding up his career with a year with the Jets.

The end of one week, the beginning of another. Hope there's more goodies in my mailbox.

Some Bossy Love For The Sports Room

Late last week, I picked up some Mike Bossy cards off ebay for my Bossy PC (Player Collection). I haven't been able to add any new cards to the collection for sometime. I was able to pick up 3 nice new cards. I bought 1 jersey card, 1 insert and one "vintage" card. The first card arrived today.

I picked up this for about 3.00. This is a 1985-86 NHL Collectors Series card #12. This was part of a set of 25 cards that was distributed by 7-Eleven stores across Canada. This is not like a regular card. This has a glossy finish and is made of thicker stock, almost has a plastic feel to it. It's the size of a credit card, which is what I guess they were going for.

The back of the card gave you some information about the team who's card you snagged. There was a card for each team in the NHL at the time, I believe. These cards were made by Super Star Sports. I tried to find some info about Super Star Sports, but was unable to find anything.

Anytime you can add an oddball/Food card like this one for a low price, I think you should jump at it. These premium cards can be hard to find at times. Whenever I see one for a player or team I collect and it's affordable, 9 times out of 10 it will be added to my collection.

Hope the rest of the goodies arrive soon.

Goodies and a TTM

God, I love mail days. I could be having the worst day, but when I get to my post box and see that yellow slip or an envelope inside, then I know my day just got better. Yesterday, I saw both so I did the happy dance in the post office. Think of the dance Snoopy used to do and that would be my dance. After getting more than a few stares and weird looks from people at the post office, I went to claim my package.

I got a nice sized box from my buddy, Philly Dave. He sent over some real nice goodies. a box of Yankees, Jets, Knicks, Islander and Devils cards were inside as well as these goodies.

This scarf was given away during the Jets/Patriots debacle. It will keep my neck warm if I don't hang myself with it first.

A sweet Nick Mangold bobblehead for my Jets bobblehead collection. I need more of these SGA bobbleheads. I kind of regret not picking up the Tomlison bobblehead at the card show last weekend.

There was also these awesome adds to the Yankees PC collection.

2012 Topps Heritage Bobby Richardson on card auto. I love these autos and I need more in my Yankees autograph PC. I need to send Richardson a ball to have him sign. I would love to add a signed baseball to my Yankees collection.

2009 Sweet Spot Dave Winfield game used jersey card. Another I need for the Yankee signed ball collection.

2000 Upper Deck Yankee Legends Elston Howard Legendary Lumbar bat piece. I don't have much Elston Howard in my Yankees collection, so I was pleased when I saw this beauty in with the cards.

My one TTM was from former NY Jets linebacker, Al Atkinson. Atkinson played with the Jets from 1965-1974. He was an AFL All Star in 1968 as well as a member of the world championship team. Atkinson signed 3/3 for me in black pen in 10 days.

 



 



I said it before, I'll say it again. God, I love maildays.

Showing Off The New Swag

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, what's the best way to digest the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and God knows what else was consumed?  Football? Beer? Leftovers? Nooooo! Picking new goodies for the Sports Room.

I went to the White Plains Sports Card Show on Thanksgiving weekend. Usually, I can find quite a few things to add to my various collections. Unfortunatel, this time around there was not a whole lot I wanted to pick up this time around. I did manage to go home with 2 autographed 8x10's of Former New York Jets

Richard Todd

 

Wesley Walker

 

 

I also bought a DVD of the 1969 and 1973 New York Jets Season Highlight films to go with my 1964-67 Highlight films DVD. I love having these. It facinates me to watch these films as they not only show how the teams played that particular season, but looking at what people wore, how society was back then is a big thrill for me. I watch the Mets highlight films from time to time and when I found the Jets films I pounced on them.

 

I also got some TTM successes as well.

 

Michael Ray Richardson

 

 



For some reason, the pen he originally used didn't come out on the other picture, so he signed the dollar bill I sent for return postage

 

Bill Belichick

 

I originally asked him to sign a pic of him with a Jets helmet and a bookplate for my Jets project, but he didn't reurn either and sent this picture. Nice to add a future Hall Of Fame coach to my collection, but would have loved to got the book plate signed though.

I was also able to add a 2012-13 NBA Hoops Mike Bibby autographed card.

This was an ebay purchase. For less than 6 bucks dlvd, I couldn't pass it up. Another autograph for the Knicks PC.


Thanks for dropping by the Sports Room. Come back soon. Bring beer.

1 TTM Mailday

Today is a one and done mailday. Second mailday where I got a TTM success. Haven't had one in a while.

Kenny "Sky" Walker 11 days signed 2/3

Kenny signed both phots I sent, but did not sign the bookplate I sent for my Knicks book project. That's the third return I got with no signed bookplate in a row. I wonder if someone is trying to tell me something.

Kenny Walker played his college ball at Kentucky where he was a 2 time SEC Player Of The Year. He played 6 seasons with the Knicks and was a NBA Slam Dunk Contest Champion in 1989. He also played in Spain, Italy, The Washington Wizards and finished his career in Japan.

I'm very pleased to be able to add another Knick to the collection.

3 Package Mail Day.

The last mail day before Thanksgiving produced some goodies for the Sports Room. 3 packages arrived in the mailbox. 1 ebay and 2 TTM's, one of which I thought I had lost. I was very pleased I got it back. I'm hoping this will lead to some of my older TTM requests to come back as well as my recent batch of requests.

What did I get? Well.....

I was finally able to grab this Kiki Vandeweghe autograph from the 2005-06 Fleer Greats Of The Game. Been wanting to add Kiki's autograph to the Knicks PC for a while now and I was finally able to get this card for a great price. I've been seeing this card go for 10-25 dollars and that wasn't a price I wanted to pay. I waited it out and stole it for under 5.00 delivered.

Vandeweghe is a 2 time All Star who has played for Denver, Portland, The Knicks and finished up his career in Los Angeles with the Clippers. Kiki was an excellent scorer, averaging 19.7 points for his career. He's also coached the then New Jersey Nets and was a GM in Denver and New Jersey.

Fun Fact, his father, Ernie, also played for the Knicks from 1949 to 1956.

Staying with the Knicks, I got 2 photo's signed by Charles Oakley, sent care of his Car Wash in Yonkers, NY.

 

 



These came a lot quicker than I thought. Oak-Man's known for 30-100 day returns. These came back in 9 days. He didn't return the bookplate I sent for my Knicks book project I'm working on. I may resend with just the bookplate and see what happens.

A power forward, Oakley is best known for his time with the Knicks from 1988-1998. Oakley also played with the Bulls, Raptors, Wizards and Rockets. He was a warrior, throwing his body for loose balls and playing hurt. Oakley was the back bone of those 1990's Knicks teams and I'm very pleased to be able to add his autograph to the collection.

The 2nd TTM was a shock that I got it back, since it's was out for over a year.

Jean Beiveau signed 2 custom Immortals Of The Ice Cards

And signed a puck for me for my collection of pucks signed by players who scored 500 goals in the NHL.

Reason why I was shocked to get this back was when I sent these out, Beliveau was a quick signer. Unfortunately, right after I sent my request out I learned he was very sick. I felt terrible for sending out my request and chalked it up as a loss. Even when I got the package, I figured someone was returning it for him unsigned. You can imagine how thrilled I was when I opened the package and saw my stuff signed.

Beliveau is considered one of hockey's all time greats. He played his entire career with the Montreal Canadiens, from 1950-1971. He is a 14 time All Star, He's won 2 Hart Trophies, an Art Ross Trophy, a Conn Smythe Trophy winner. He's second all time on the Canadiens list in points, assists and games played. He also is third in goals. He's won 10 Stanley Cups as a player and another seven times as an executive with the Canadiens. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall Of Fame in 1972.

It was a great day at the mail box. Now I can enjoy my turkey tomorrow and hope for more Friday and Saturday.

Hope you all have a great Gobble, Gobble Day. Don't drink and drive, consume mass quanties of food and enjoy football.