2008-09 Upper Deck MVP "Alexander The GR8"

"Alexander The GR8" - 8 card Subset

For their 2008-08 Hockey MVP set Upper Deck produced an eight card subset honoring the career of current great Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals). Eight cards is logical in a couple of ways. First Ovechkin's jersey number is 8. Second the subset title "Alexander The GR8" plays with the Historical Greek King and the awesomeness of Ovechkin's hockey career.

Each of the eight cards has an action picture of Alex on the front with his name and Washington Capitals on the left edge, under his name is a highlight of his career.

2008-09 UD Hockey MVP #AO1

On the back there is a brief paragraph that gives more detail of the highlight that is on the front of the card and a black and white headshot of Alex. Each headshot is different.

2008-09 UD Hockey MVP #AO1 (Back)

The set is not all that rare and I imagine it only really appeals to Capital's fans, and completists who are building that Master set of 2008-09 Upper Deck Hockey MVP.

2008-09 UD Hockey MVP #AO3

While I was building this little subset, I noticed I had misplaced card #3 from the set (#AO3). I searched high and low for it and couldn't find it. I looked everywhere I knew I had hockey cards. Especially the other cards from this set I had (at the time I only had 3 or 4) and hockey cards I knew I had gotten around the same time. Well I couldn't find it so I ordered another copy of it from sportlots.com The replacement card three was the last card I finally received from the subset. Even after having the complete set I couldn't find the original #3.

2008-09 UD Hockey MVP #AO3 (Back)

Well I finally found my original card #3 of this subset. Wouldn't you know it I finally found it while searching for something else. What had happened was the penny sleeve I had it in got stuck to the penny sleeve of the card above it in the pile and then the box that I had them in. I had searched that stack of cards before and had seen the card before it several times. Only this time when I was checking the backs I recognized the back. Mystery solved.

So now I have an extra one of these cards to trade for either another Alex O card or some other hockey card or any similar card really.

2010 Ford Models Promotional Mailing Stickers

I posted this in my regular blog and since this was partly about stickers I decided to also post it here. I have two different audiences for my two blogs.

Back in November I think, maybe even as early as Sept or Oct, in the mail I had received a Ford promotional mailing thing for the new upcoming 2010 models cars and trucks.

Oh boy exciting.

I was going to throw it away actually recycle it, but I noticed there were some stickers. Then I realized the entire promo package was stickers so I decided to keep it for a weird collectible type thing. It won't become valuable for any real amount of money. Maybe a few years down the road I will sell it for "Wow Factor".


They start things off with a little "Edge". Each vehicle in the promo has an information sheet, and then on the back are some stickers of that model and some Ford Logos or car parts. I guess they intended to give the adults who were thinking of buying a Ford all the info on the various models and then give their kids something to do while Mommy and Daddy are out buying their new ford.


Then they brag a little about how tough their trucks are and how much they can haul.


Next for those of you who want to help keep the Earth green they have their Hybrid card The Fusion.
Finally they end with their popular economy car Taurus.


Pretty neat, but hopefully I won't have to be buying a new Ford this year.

I'm trying to make my 2002 Focus stay in focus for another 2 years before I even think about getting a new car. Plus financially I can't afford a new car until probably next year.

2010 Topps Baseball First Break

On Saturday 20 Feb I went to Target and got a blaster of 2010 Topps Baseball (10 packs of 8 cards plus 1 pack of a special "Historical Commemorative Patch Card") and 3 Jumbo Packs (36ct. Rack Packs). I made a video of my breaking the blaster on Ustream (I am "captkirk42" there also) and since the recording for the Jumbo packs didn't save I made a "review" video of those. Here let me give the links to the videos.

2010 Topps Baseball 10 pack Blaster
2010 Topps Baseball 36ct Jumbo Packs (3)

In my video I think I mentioned some cards that I thought were duplicates but upon later review they are the short print? "raw back" variations so those will not be for trade.

I got 4 of the Topps Million Card Giveaway cards (TMC-6, 7, 8, & 9). I unlocked all 4 tonight and will sometime post what cards I will be getting along with the fronts of the TMC cards to show what they look like. I plan on collecting the 10 different TMC cards. I'm not sure what I will do with any duplicates after they have been unlocked and redeemed. The cards I unlocked were all 1970s cards, 2 are 1975 and 2 are 1973 I don't think I had any of them before.

Here is what I got pack by Pack from my break on Saturday.

2010 Topps Baseball Blaster 10 packs + 1 Historical Commemorative Patch Card.

Pack 1
277 Jarrod Washburn Tigers (raw back)
292 Giants Franchise History with park picture (raw back)
56 Andy Pettitte Yankees (raw back)
HOTG9 History of the Game Lou Gehrig Replaces Waley Pipp 1925
Million Card Giveaway card TMC-8
TTT23 Toppstown C.C. Sabathia Yankees FT
173 Kendry Morales Angels (raw back)
47 Brad Penny Giants (raw back)

Pack 2
162 Wade Davis Rays (raw back)
142 Tim Hudson Braves (raw back)
5 Texas Rangers Manager/Team Card (raw back)
227 Josh Thole Mets (raw back)
CMT-25 Cards Your Mom Threw Out - 1976 Mike Schmidt Phillies (Mom back)
PP-15 Peak Performance Alex Rodriguez Yankees
FCTTT7 Toppstown Josh Hamilton Rangers FT
125 Ichiro Mariners (raw back)

Pack 3
248 Jason Kendall Brewers
188 Joe Blanton Phillies
293 Brent Dlugach Tigers
140 Matt Holliday Cardinals
CMT-36 Cards Your Mom Threw Out - 1987 Bo Jackson Royals Future Stars
TMC-9 Million Card Giveaway Card
TTT7 Toppstown Josh Hamilton Rangers FT
24 John Maine Mets

Pack 4
87 Darin Erstad Astros
326 Tyler Colvin Cubs
227 Josh Tholer Mets
TOG-18 Tales of the Game Prince Fielder BP HR at age 12
PP11 Peak Performance Mel Ott New York Giants
FCTTT2 Toppstown David Wright Mets
69 Kansas City Royals Team card
117 David De Jesus Royals

Pack 5
49 Jorge De La Rosa Rockies
292 Tommy Manzella Astros
328 Chicago Cubs Manager/Team Card
HOTG19 History of the Game Johnny Bench 1st MLB Draft 1965
TR11 Turkey Red Cole Hamels Phillies TRADED
TTT19 Toppstown Justin Upton Diamondbacks FT
256 Akinori Iwamura Pirates
130 Vladimir Guerrero Angels

Pack 6
2 Buster Posey Giants
34 Michael Dunn Yankees
302 Checklist 5 of 5 Red Sox on Front
CTM-13 Cards your mom threw out - 1964 Brooks Robinson Orioles
116 - 1979 Ozzie Smith - Card Your Mom Threw Out Original Back
LL19 Legendary Lineage Whitey Ford/C.C. Sabathia FT
TTT4 Toppstown Adrian Gonzalez Padres FT
107 Scott Hairston Athletics

Pack 7
114 Chris Iannetta Rockies
163 Josh Butler Brewers
294 Adam Dunn Nationals
WTWY-GB When They Were Young - Gordon Beckham White Sox
TTT21 Toppstown Adam Dunn Nationals
211 Kelly Shoppach Indians
53 Craig Counsell Brewers
144 Rich Harden Cubs
Topps Attax Head-To-Head Card Game Promo Card FT

Pack 8
48 Joey Votto Reds
303 Chris Snyder D'backs
236 Andrew Bailey Athletics
152 Nyjer Morgan Nationals Gold Border
PP-27 Peak Performance Tom Seaver Mets
TTT11 Toppstown Brian McCann Braves
208 Tim Wakefield Red Sox
111 Ty Wigginton Orioles

Pack 9
29 Aubrey Huff Tigers
60 David Wright Mets
106 NL ERA Leaders Carpenter, Lincecum & Jurrjens
CMT-11 Cards Your Mom Threw Out - 1962 Mickey Mantle Yankees
TR27 Turkey Red Edwin Jackson Tigers TRADED
FCTTT13 Toppstown Miguel Cabrera Tigers FT
290 Orlando Hudson Dodgers
89 J.A. Happ Phillies

Pack 10
135 Ryan Dempster Cubs
287 Jhonny Peralta Indians
TOG-23 Tales Of The Game - Manny Being Manny
LL28 Legendary Lineage Nolan Ryan/Zack Greinke FT
TTT21 Toppstown Adam Dunn Nationals (Dupe FT)
170 Jason Bay Red Sox
213 Ricky Nolasco Marlins
250 Mark Teixeira Yankees

Hisotrical Commemorative Patch Card
MCP-2 - 1923 World Series Commemorative Patch Babe Ruth Yankees TRADED
I'm sort of torn about it as I'm against patch cards because normally they are just pieces from a uniform but these are manufactured patches replicas of real patches. Based on a card from last year with the Babe on it that was valued at $30 I was told this one is probably about $20-$25

2010 Topps Baseball Jumbo Pack 36 ct.

Pack 1: Top
35 Rick Porcello Tigers
128 Garrett Mock Nationals
277 Jarrod Washburn Tigers
202 Giants Franchise History with park picture
162 Wade Davis Rays
321 Pat Burrell Rays
80 Tim Lincecum Giants
196 Ian Desmond Nationals
237 Checklist 3 of 5 Brewers on Front
265 Angels Manager/Team Card
TMC-7 Million Card Giveaway Card
PPR-MY Peak Performance Michael Young Rangers GU (grey swatch) FT
TTT19 Toppstown Justin Upton Diamondbacks FT
244 Barry Zito Giants
312 Tyler Flowers White Sox
36 Tobi Stoner Mets
219 Kevin Hart Pirates

Pack 1: Bottom
13 Melvin Mora Orioles
81 Ryan Theriot Cubs
176 Yovani Gallardo Brewers
267 Toronto Blue Jays Franchise History
300 Chase Utley Phillies
280 Mark DeRosa Cardinals
268 Juan Pierre Dodgers
306 Milton Bradley Cubs
CMT-30 Cards Your Mom Threw Out - 1981 Eddie Murray Orioles
TR42 Turkey Red Ian Kinsler Rangers TRADED
LL24 Legendary Lineage Bob Gibson/Tim Lincecum FT
PP26 Peak Performance Joe Mauer Twins
WTWY-JD When They Were Young Johnny Damon Yankees
77 Kenshin Kawakami Braves
123 Jeff Samardzija Cubs
297 Ben Zobrist Rays
71 Mike Hampton Astros

Pack 2: Top
43 Marco Scutaro Blue Jays
221 Russell Branyan Mariners
156 Tony Gwynn Jr. Padres
101 Scott Baker Twins
23 Shane Victorino Phillies
292 Tommy Manzella Astros (Dupe FT)
34 Michael Dunn Yankees (Dupe FT)
163 Josh Butler Brewers (Dupe FT)
236 Andrew Bailey Athletics (Dupe FT)
32 Cincinnati Reds Manager/Team Card
73 NL Wins Leaders Wainwright, Carpenter, & De La Rosa
206 NL Home Runs Leaders Pujuls, Fielder & Howard
HOTG22 History Of The Game - Nolan Ryan Throws 7th No-Hitter 1991
TTT4 Toppstown Adrian Gonzalez Padres FT
214 Matt Kemp Dodgers
238 Ian Stewart Rockies
90 Ian Kinsler Rangers
205 Chris Coghlan Marlins
301 Jack Cust Athletics

Pack 2: Bottom
142 Tim Hudson Braves
99 Garrett Jones Pirates
28 Jonathan Sanchez Giants
126 John Smoltz Cardinals
293 Brent Dlugach Tigers (Dupe FT)
326 Tyler Colvin Cubs (Dupe FT)
199 Seattle Mariners Manager/Team Card
102 Minnesota Twins Manager/Team Card
CMT-38 Cards Your Mom Threw Out - 1989 Gery Sheffield Brewers
TR28 Turkey Red Mickey Mantle Yankees PC
TOG14 Tales Of The Game Reggie Jackson World Series HR Hat Trick
LL9 Legendary Lineage Honus Wagner/Hanley Ramirez FT
PP34 Peak Perforance Ichiro Mariners
124 Rickie Weeks Brewers
157 Mike Sweeney Mariners
118 Brandon Morrow Mariners
104 New York Mets Franchise History

Blank Anti Theft Security Strip Card

Pack 3: Top
79 Francisco Cordero Reds
109 Justin Masterson Indians
330 Brandon Allen D'backs
52 Billy Butler Royals
122 Carlos Ruiz Phillies
278 Carlos Delgado Mets
204 Checklist 2 of 5 Rangers on Front
309 Gerald Laird Tigers
134 Philadelphia Phillies Manager/Team Card
51 Eric Young Jr. Rockies
187 Will Venable Padres Gold Border
TMC6 Million Card Giveaway Card
TTT16 Toppstown Kevin Youkilis Red Sox FT
69 Kansas City Royals Team Card (Dupe FT)
117 David DeJesus Royals (Dupe FT)
256 Akinori Iwamura Pirates (Dupe FT)
130 Vladimir Guerrero Angels (Dupe FT)
107 Scott Hairston Athletics (Dupe FT)
211 Kelly Shoppach Indians (Dupe FT)

Pack 3: Bottom
127 Hank Blalock Rangers
57 C.C. Sabathia Yankees
78 Tim Stauffer Padres
160 Miguel Tejada Astros
322 Travis Buck Athletics
299 Gary Sheffield Mets
66 Kyle Phillips Blue Jays
232 St. Louis Cardinals Manager/Team Card
187 Will Venable Padres
CMT-2 Cards Your Mom Threw Out - 1953 Jackie Robinson Dodgers
TR18 Turkey Red Ryan Braun Brewers TRADED
LL4 Legendary Lineage Lou Gehrig/Mark Teixeira FT
PP31 Peak Performance Manny Ramirez Dodgers
7 Mickey Mantle Yankees
16 Johnny Cueto Reds
45 David Hernandez Orioles
24 John Maine Mets (Dupe FT)

Overall opinion of the set. Very Good. Perhaps there are a few too many subsets. Not a big fan of the Toppstown or oddly enough the Legendary Lineage subsets. I will not collect the Legendary Lineage set, the Toppstown I will only collect select cards from. I am undecided on the Peak Performance set.

I noticed in the blaster there were some short prints that have the raw unfinished backs (like in the days of vintage before all the shiny glossy modern stuff) from the front it took me a little while to notice the one subtle difference. The Topps logo on the SPs is the 70s logo where the "T" curves under the word. The regular variations have the modern Topps logo everything else on the front appears the same. The regular versions seem to have brighter deeper colors this may because of the cardstock.

Some Totals From 1 Blaster and 3 Jumbo Packs (rack packs):
4 Million Card Giveaway Promo cards
6 Peak Performance Cards
1 Peak Performance GU
10 Toppstown Cards (3 duplicated)
3 Toppstown Cards Gold Background
5 Turkey Red Cards
5 Legendary Lineage Cards
2 When They Were Young Cards
3 Tales Of The Game Cards
3 History Of The Game Cards
10 SP Raw Back from Blaster only (5 I got the regular variation also)
7 Cards Your Mom Threw Out - Mom Back
1 Cards Your Mom Threw Out - Original Back
(From Blaster) 1 Historical Commemorative Patch Card
2 Gold border variations (1 I had the regular base of)
Rest Base (13 duplicates)

UPDATE: 22Feb10 The 4 Turkey Reds have been claimed for a trade.

Stand Them Up!

1968 Topps Football Stand-Up Inserts

#10 Sonny Jurgensen

In the 1960s and 1970s Topps used to have some interesting and fun extras inserted into their card packs. 1968 was no exception for the Football series. In addition to the regular cards for 1968 Topps made a series of "Stand-Ups" for their football series that are similar to the 1964 baseball standups. These cards are perforated, or "cut out" so that you can punch out the outer edge of the card and with a couple folds stand-up your cards. Each card has a head and shoulders head shot of the player so in their "stood up" mode they would look like busts. The baseball cards from '64 on the other hand had the players in action poses so the baseball ones would appear to be playing if you had enough of them spread out.

I recall as a kid I had some of these, and maybe one or two of the baseball, of course being a kid I had punched them out and played with them. I don't recall which ones I had or how many. It has been ages since I've had any of my originals. Thanks to ebay I managed to find a few in decent shape and uncut. I just have four and each one seems to have some centering issues. If they were punched out it wouldn't be as obvious on a couple of them.

I have my two fave 1960s/70s quarterbacks:
#4 Roman Gabriel
#10 Sonny Jurgensen

plus
#12 Billy Kilmer
#11 Alex Karras (who went on to become an actor).

As with many cards in the 1960s and 1970s Topps often used the same photograph of a player multiple years. For some reason they seemed to use an old pic of Sonny Jurgensen in his Green Philadelphia Eagles jersey, so that photo has to be from 1963 at the latest. Also Billy Kilmer is shown in a Red jersey (he was previously on the 49ers till 1966) but was a Saint at the time these cards were released.

#4 Roman Gabriel

#11 Alex Karras

#12 Billy Kilmer

So to finish my set I need :
1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22

I prefer unpunched cards, but to fill-in gaps in the set I'll accept better conditioned "punched out" ones. To have my set complete they all must be unpunched.

Welcome to Canton Mr. Grimm

Most sports/card bloggers when mentioning the NFL 2010 Hall Of Fame Class are touting the glamourized players Emmit Smith and Jerry Rice. but hardly if ever mention Russ Grimm or any of the other 4 players (Ricky Jackson, Dick LeBeau,Floyd Little and John Randle) that are part of the 7 man class for 2010.


For those who don't remember or choose to ignore him Russ Grimm was a Guard on the Washington Redskins. He was part of the Offensive line that was nicknamed "The Hogs" back in the 1980s (OK so these bloggers are too young to remember him or any of the other Hogs) He was a tough guy and often played with injuries. He was a 4 time Pro Bowler (OK so that isn't too exciting but it's big for a career) part of the 1980s All-Decade Team and in the 70 Greatest Redskins list. So no love because he played for the Redskins during 4 of their Super Bowl appearances of which they won 3.


OH he is currently the assistant head coach and offensive line coach for the Arizona Cardinals. He's been with them since 2007 you might have seen him on the sidelines during the playoffs this year or perhaps last year at the Super Bowl.

Now I didn't really pay attention to see if those people were Super Cowboy fans or 49ers fans, but they did seem to ignore anybody who wasn't Mr. Super-Duper Smith or Rice. Now the only name I didn't really recognize from the class, either from memory of hearing their names during games, or from my football card collection was Ricky Jackson. Not a real surprise considering most of his career he played the unglamourous position of linebacker for the New Orleans Saints - Hey they just won the Super Bowl FOLKS!

Dick LeBeau I guess was better known for being the Steelers Defensive Coordinator, I had heard of him from having a card of two of his from the early '70s as a cornerback for the Lions.

Floyd Little who was a Running Back (one of the 3 glamour positions RB, Wide Receiver and Quarterback) for the Broncos Hmm he was the first running back to win an NFL rushing title on a last-place team (1,133 yards, 1971) Umm OK that's why people don't mention him I guess.

John Randle was a defensive tackle for the Vikings lets see he earned seven Pro Bowl selections and was named All-Pro six times, and was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1990s.

Not to shabby. Then why do most of these bloggers are ignoring these guys?

So as a Redskins fan I will ignor Mr. Cowboy Smith star running back and Mr. wide receiving 49ers Rice LOL.

Hey Jerry also played for the Raiders amazing.