Headlining Rookie and Feel the Love

A nice little trade with Jennielove at TCDB led to me getting these:

Further showing the load of Leaf rookies from the past year, and a nice Silver Script Kadri. Appreciate the trade, and getting these from Hawaii!

Speaing of cards from far away places...the Santa Lot today...

Highlight:

I can't say I remember much of Jiri and his time in Toronto. He spent parts of three seasons with the team before heading to Carolina for a few solid years. Not sure if it was lack of space/opportunity in Toronto (doubt it given the timing), but he did much better after leaving, though not a great star, fairly solid, at least for the Hurricanes.

The rest
Keepers:

Just a single add today, but from baseball. Ryan Madson, who spent a handful of years with Philly before moving on from there.

Traders:

Zip it? If only I could Zap it...that Austin Powers card I mean...if only...poof!

I like the Trent Edwards 2008 Threads card which documents his first year stats. I remember him for the bit of following the Bills and his middling efforts in 2008-2010 before leaving the team for Jacksonville. Also happy the 2004 Leaf football cards nicely cover a couple more holes - will have to see how much we have left for that base set soon...

Not the greatest day with all the traders, but still able to add a short term Leaf insert card!

Through 8260 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

- Complete 2003-04 SP Authentic Basketball (90 card pure base)

- Complete 2005 Upper Deck Classics (100 card pure base)

- 3 Complete 2007-08 UD McDonald's Hockey Checklist Subsets (6 cards)

- 1973-74 O-Pee-Chee Hockey #30 Bobby Orr (All-Star)

- 2004-05 Upper Deck Legends Classics Platinum #64 Marcel Dionne Platinum 06/10

- 2007-08 Topps 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

- 2009-10 Topps #321 Stephen Curry (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	136	15
Inserts / Var Kept	298	34
Error	15	2
Keep	1672	244
Doubles/Sell	1183	173	1329	2470	265	29
Doubles Inserts / Var	93	1	101	200

A lightning quick trade and return of a set to the Santa Lot

I haven't been up to too many trades with the busy time of March and April, but there were a few transactions proposed to me earlier this month, and here is one recently completed. This is with Lightningfan7609 at the Trading Card DB and who has a blog here - http://hopefulchase.blogspot.ca/. I definitely owe some cards back at some point because although the message from Justin was that he was starting to reduce his collection and didn't mind getting less and giving up more - I'd still like to throw a few more cards his way.

Anyway - what did I get?

Well these!


Ok, I know. These are not cards I specifically collect (or regarding the football....at all), but they were used in the packaging of the Leaf cards, and in fine condition, so I get to keep these too!


We start with a couple 1987-88 O Pee Chee stickers and a couple 1991-92 Pro Set cards - but not duplicates as these are the French versions!


Classic early 90s Leafs including a number of typically sweet Stadium Club cards.


Yeah - a number of Doug Gilmour cards in this package, and I am in no way complaining about that! This is the first Ice Masters card I've had - really nice and in line with a hockey version of Diamond Kings. Also the first Premier Pivot insert, also a nice Gilmour, and very purple.


The Mats die cast card, middle right, is special - this is the 100th Mats Sundin card in my collection. Actually the first Leaf player to reach this mark in my collection, though won't be the last. The Jonsson card in the middle is a quirky one as it is from the collectible card game.


A few cards I haven't seen before - the first 1996-97 Donruss cards I have in my collection, as well as 1998-99 SPx Mats card - bottom right. This is actually serial numbered to 9500, which is low for the time period of the late 90s.


I really like the Starquest cards (and of course the blue more than say the green, given the Leafs). It is actually also my first 1999-2000 Topps card too.


Even more sets that I didn't have at all before here including 2001-02 Stadium Club and 2001 Paramount. That said, I really like the 2008-09 Ultra design with the full bleed photos.


Here are the last of them, ending on a great note with the nice gold medallion parallel, and an Artifacts card (one of my favourite sets - any Artifacts set actually).

Huge thanks, and great trade, I just look forward to making a bit more even some time.

Some times there have been a lull between getting cards in sets through the Santa Lot, but glad to see this one come back...

Highlights:

Wasn't sure how long it would be before seeing more of these, but glad to get three more needs out of the way and the base set completion now over 75%. Man, I really enjoy these cards.

The rest
Traders:

Unfortunately no other keepers from the Lot today, but a positive still in two regards/ First, can't argue with the dupes from the 2004-05 Upper Deck Legends Classics with the quality of Stan and Guy. Second, good that about half of the 2008 Donruss Elite cards are new including Chad Ochocinco.

Through 8240 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

- Complete 2003-04 SP Authentic Basketball (90 card pure base)

- Complete 2005 Upper Deck Classics (100 card pure base)

- 3 Complete 2007-08 UD McDonald's Hockey Checklist Subsets (6 cards)

- 1973-74 O-Pee-Chee Hockey #30 Bobby Orr (All-Star)

- 2004-05 Upper Deck Legends Classics Platinum #64 Marcel Dionne Platinum 06/10

- 2007-08 Topps 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

- 2009-10 Topps #321 Stephen Curry (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	135	15
Inserts / Var Kept	298	34
Error	15	2
Keep	1672	243
Doubles/Sell	1175	173	1326	2464	264	29
Doubles Inserts / Var	93	1	101	200

Something new and also blue

Before we get to today's 20, made a visit to the local Value Village and found a few things that I picked up. It has been a long time since they had this much card stuff. I passed on a couple junk wax sets (one hockey and one baseball because I already have partial of each, and price after tax was about $15 each which was not worth it, but I was able to pick up each of the following for $3 each. Would have been 20% cheaper if I remembered the coupon in my pocket, but misbehaving kids can ensure any well laid plan goes awry.


With only 120,000 sets available, I figured I better pick this one up. Honestly, one of the worst sets ever for photography, but for $3 - still a good deal, and still sealed. Not bad for a 90 card set from 1991.


1992-93 McDonalds All Stars - full set of 28 cards and in great condition (and in clear case to boot). Makes for a quick full set completion. Again, for $3 can't go wrong.


I think this was the best pick up of the 3 - not sealed (not sure if they were originally anyway), but all cards are there and included, and in excellent condition - always have to question quality when getting them from Value Village, but worked out right in this situation.

I also picked up a number of "grab bags" most of which will be 1990-91 Pro Set hocket set help, but will get to those somewhere down the road when I want something fun to open.

Now for your regularly scheduled weekday Santa Lot 20...

Highlights:


As much as I've picked up a few cards of Darcy Tucker's Toronto playing days, the 2006-07 Upper Deck card is a new one for me and adds to my liking how many cards have been coming up from the set recently. Ass in an Antropov and a new 2009-10 McDonalds Shane Doan and I'm a happy camper today.

The rest
Keepers:

Another great photo with Kelly Hrudey card from 1991-92 Pro Set Platinum. As I alluded to up to, also continued to get some 2006-07 Upper Deck cards as well.

Traders:

Awesome reminders of Stezie Y's younger days...unneeded 2007-08 Upper Deck, and some 2008-09 Fleer basketball cards which at least are not repeats, but not anything I will be keeping.

Through 8220 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

- Complete 2003-04 SP Authentic Basketball (90 card pure base)

- Complete 2005 Upper Deck Classics (100 card pure base)

- 3 Complete 2007-08 UD McDonald's Hockey Checklist Subsets (6 cards)

- 1973-74 O-Pee-Chee Hockey #30 Bobby Orr (All-Star)

- 2004-05 Upper Deck Legends Classics Platinum #64 Marcel Dionne Platinum 06/10

- 2007-08 Topps 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

- 2009-10 Topps #321 Stephen Curry (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	135	15
Inserts / Var Kept	298	34
Error	15	2
Keep	1669	243
Doubles/Sell	1173	173	1326	2449	264	29
Doubles Inserts / Var	93	1	101	200

Pack Attack - 2016 Babe Ruth Collection

Another interesting pack today...


Another case of, "there isn't much for me but it is an interesting pack". I'd keep any inserts, but that is about it - the base cards would be nice, but nothing specific for me - I am not going to be going after the complete 80 card base set here.


Ok, this may not be the rally monkey from the 2017 Topps set, but this isn't half bad for a start.


Not the greatest fashion look, but as far as the cards go, the colouring used does fairly nicely for keeping with the tone of the set and something reminiscent of the Babe Ruth erc.


I will say, the variety of shots are nice given the entire 80 card set is all Babe Ruth.


From one of the two insert sets - this is the (obviously) Quotables insert set. Nice that the back goes on to talk about Babe Ruth hitting a three run home run on the opening day.


Lastly, a card from the other 10 card insert set of Career Achievements. I like the dark border here, a nice touch and though different from the base set, keeps enough of the same tone.

Overall - actually not a bad pack. You can get boxes for about $40CDN from the US - likely $30US I assume within the States, and to basically complete the 80 card set and get some of the inserts (maybe all 20 in a perfect world) it isn't a bad go for the way some of the prices for boxes are these days.

I also like this as a better overall set related to a player than the Pete Rose set from a few years ago in 2012.

Pack Attack - 2005-06 ITG Heroes and Prospects

You may ask me...why are you opening this...

Well, all of two reasons. First, for you! I figured it was a good enough pack to open here. Second, why not? Okay, not great reasons, and I don't think there are any base cards I really care to have or collect, and at this point I have all of 5% of the set from what has come out of the Santa Lot, but let's play a game with all 5 of these cards and see how successful each player ended up being...well...so far...

Ryan Stone - Made it to the NHL for parts of three season 2007-08 through 2009-10, and in 35 games had 7 assists. He played these games for Pittsburgh and Edmonton.

Jeff Tambellini - More successful yet, spent 2005-2011 in the NHL with the Kings, Islanders and then ended off with the Vancouver

Team Cherry Insert - Mathieu Carle - 3 games with Montreal...that's it. Not a bad insert though...

Brandon Sutter - The most successful in the pack so far. Almost 600 games in the NHL thus far and over 100 career goals.

Ron Hextall - I think we have a winner. Not a surprise given he is the only Hall of Famer card in the pack. Interesting as it appears the gold overlay on the Heroes and Prospects wording is off.

I don't mind the "old" black and white look for the Heroes cards, and the design is alright otherwise, though the colour scheme being team specific (I presume) can make the set as a whole unusual when put together.

Well, not a bad pack, but nothing I am overly thrilled with. I am still loosely keeping these as, with the Heroes cards, there is enough reason to keep all the cards for now. Would definitely trade for better though if anyone is interested.

Adding to the army

Highlights:

Two thirds of the insert set no - well, almost. Nothing much to say that I haven't said before regarding the insert set, just happy to keep moving on this one.

Lowlights:

This card scans a lot better than it is in hand. Unfortunately there is a good bend through the card, bottom middle to left middle of the card so on to my son it goes...though not a huge star so not much of a loss here...no offence Randy...

The rest
Keepers:

I son't know about you, but I have been enjoying Fuller House on Netflix so it's a nice reminder seeing Candace Cameron's brother in law Pavel here. Joke aside, I really like this card design for trophy winners - a good picture of the trophy, name of the aware, and not taking away from a good photo of the player who won as well.

Traders:

Every single one of these Donruss Elite football cards are dupes of ones we have already seen. There are enough holes in the set, I found that surprising. Also surprising - the more I see of Pro Set  Platinum, even in the duplicates, I am enjoying the photography more and more - especially with the goalies, but even across the entire set. Maybe it is just me. Outside of Stadium Club, what other junk sets did you enjoy the photography from?

Through 8200 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

- Complete 2003-04 SP Authentic Basketball (90 card pure base)

- Complete 2005 Upper Deck Classics (100 card pure base)

- 3 Complete 2007-08 UD McDonald's Hockey Checklist Subsets (6 cards)

- 1973-74 O-Pee-Chee Hockey #30 Bobby Orr (All-Star)

- 2004-05 Upper Deck Legends Classics Platinum #64 Marcel Dionne Platinum 06/10

- 2007-08 Topps 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

- 2009-10 Topps #321 Stephen Curry (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	133	15
Inserts / Var Kept	297	34
Error	15	2
Keep	1662	243
Doubles/Sell	1167	173	1322	2449	264	29
Doubles Inserts / Var	93	1	101	200

MJ, O Pee Chee, Nolan Ryan - OH MY!

This may not be another Stephen Curry rookie card, but a number of awesome things coming out of the Santa Lot today...

Highlights:

Condition could be a bit better, but given it's Jordan and serial numbered, that is a small complaint. This is the first Spectaculars card to come out of the 2003-04 SP Authentic set. Although this is numbered as part of the base set, I wouldn't consider it base given the serial number. I get the design using the same picture front and back, but a different one for the background on the back would have been just as nice.


Leaf content...and parallel content! He was definitely a fan favourite for a number of years in Toronto, just as the card states.


A nice insert, and a first from this insert set. Total O would have been a good insert set name for a set completely about Ovechkin though - too bad it wasn't used in such a way.


Here we start to get really nice and interesting. I ave lots of love for the 2005 Upper Deck Classics base set, but here we have one of the insert cards regarding historic moments. As much as I dislike the moment (because it was the no hitter against the Jays), the accomplishment is simply amazing. Serial number here is great to.


More of what I just said for this one too. Excellent card and much lower serial number than tha above. Man....such a nice and young looking Ryan....and a really nice card...

The rest
Keepers:

Some awesome old O Pee CHee - well, at least into the 70s which is a nice sight. Billy Smith is pretty beat up, but I am a lot more forgiving on condition for early 80s are prior cards. I appreciate the old team cards done with the multiple pictures - here it shows how much Bob Nevin meant for the team, and gave them a chance to use a couple pictures.

Have to also mention the fact I got two net Brett Hulls here - and neither with him in a Blues uniform...so unfortunate.

Traders:

The Gretzky is too rough to keep, but otherwise, nice to get the couple baseball dupes - feelings on steroids use or not...still solid names of the game from the late 80s and early 90s.

An excellent day today - only wish it can last tomorrow!

Through 8180 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

- Complete 2003-04 SP Authentic Basketball (90 card pure base)

- Complete 2005 Upper Deck Classics (100 card pure base)

- 3 Complete 2007-08 UD McDonald's Hockey Checklist Subsets (6 cards)

- 1973-74 O-Pee-Chee Hockey #30 Bobby Orr (All-Star)

- 2004-05 Upper Deck Legends Classics Platinum #64 Marcel Dionne Platinum 06/10

- 2007-08 Topps 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

- 2009-10 Topps #321 Stephen Curry (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	133	15
Inserts / Var Kept	295	34
Error	15	2
Keep	1660	243
Doubles/Sell	1161	173	1322	2440	264	29
Doubles Inserts / Var	92	1	101	200