Kawhi Not?

 Back to the 2026 Lot, and we get more Mosaic basketball, but solid on the Raptor representation!

We get Powell above, but at this point, former, Kawhi below was a big deal at the time this set was originally released.

After winning the championship in Toronto, Kawhi quickly turned and left the city. I think that at the time, fans in the city were a bit bitter on the abrupt change. Yes, it was a blow softened by the championship win, but many were hoping it could be turned into a couple, or more, it just wasn't to be.

Toronto did well with Kawhi gone right after the championship win, but couldn't quite keep the steam and the team fell apart a bit after 2020-21, well for a couple years anyway.

As for these cards, most are ones that have come up before but a handful are "new", so still looking to maybe complete the set save for the rookies - but time will tell.

A Surprise Package

 Every now and then, there is packages which go back and forth with Sportscards From The Dollar Store, and today I get to share a package which came my way. I usually send Sens or Bills as they need not stay here and are enjoyed there. Today, the Jays  (and a few Leafs)  that have a new home...

I had never seen the 1994 Leaf Slideshow insert cards before, and this Alomar is a nice one and done Blue Jay from the 10 card set. This was cool technology back in the day with the slideshow look and feel of the picture on the card, and it looks awesome held up to light too.

The 2014 Bowman Platinum Edwin is the second of three Jays from that base set, and then we get some newer Jays as well.

A first 2024 Topps Holiday Jay with Joey, and then all 4 Donruss 2025 base cards to knock off that team set quick as can be - sweet!

We get a bunch of 2025Topps Series 1 Jays. First 2025 flagship cards I have had in hand, and the design is fine. Reminds me more of a Bowman design, but it's okay - definitely not a favorite. I am not fofended by it, but it's not one I look at and think I really need to collect beyond getting my Jays.

We end with a few Leafs as any trade between two Canadians has to at least consider including hockey. The Ovation insert is one I hadn't seen before from the Upper Deck offering, and the Allure is the second of three base card Leafs from that set, so plenty of success in adding to the Toronto collection which is always greatly appreciated.

A Score-y From Orry

 Another fantastic trade to share, this one with Orry04 which is our fourth trade at TCDB (not that we have been trading anywhere else though). What he sent my way, is a whole bunch of baseball goodness and a bit of wrestling to boot..

We start with my first purple prizm card from 2021 Panini Prizm which looks nice and sleek. Same can be said about the Holo Semien.

Triston is the odd man out, being a 2021 Topps flagship base set addition and not part of the Jays collect, but just as important in the trade.

The pair of 2021 Topps A&G Chrome minis, are, sensing a theme, the first such cards from that insert set for my collection of Jays.

The Springer Wanted insert from 2021 Topps Big Leauge is new, and a one and done Jays insert set.

The Vladdy Classic insert is also a nice one and done Jays insert set - sweet....and the Emergent Hernandez as well.

The Rainbos Foil Hernandez top centre looks very nice in hand, but the Blue Ice Prizms for the Blue Jays are amazing! Any team colour equivalent parallel always adds a bit of wow factor.

Just one off the pure base team set for 2023 Topps Holiday with the couple unnecessary set additions. I mean, we have had games with snow before, but this fake design stuff just to sell the set - meh.

With these two cards, my 2020 Topps Road To Wrestlemania set is down to one last need - better than when I thought I was done incorrectly and found I was missing three cards.

Fantastic trade, and very much appreciated!

Trading With A Bishop and Buying From B.C.

 dbishop93 over at TCDB offered a trade which I will share below today and brought some 80s baseball my way.

We hit three different non-Toronto related collecting items in one PWE. First, a few needs from the 1982 Topps base set build. Pretty nice cards too, not you basic non-star type cards, some nice leaders and all stars.

We then get one puzzle piece closer, so now only one remaining, to complete the 1987 Donruss Roberto Clemente puzzle. I love all of these insert puzzles and have some of them, but still a few I haven't completed. Hopefully Roberto here will be done soon.

Lastly, you might wonder why I would be getting a base 1989 Fleer card but, I had the error cards marked for possible gathering from trade, though when I look at it, it may be more a name variation, on whether his name has the O as the end or not. Well, if I figure it's an error, at least I have a copy for the error collection!

A great little trade, and as always, much appreciated!

On a separate note, I made a purchase over the end of the holidays from www.pastimesports.ca which I have bought from a few times. It's good for unopened packs as well as some odd stuff when on sale. I picked up a number of One Piece Japanese packs for the kids - maybe for Valentine's Day. Also picked up a few small Stranger Things figurines, Stitch stuffy, and then the following...

It's a big set, and I don't have much, but I do have a blaster with these packs, so maybe after opening, I might add this set to the building list depending on how they open - whenever I get to them, but for $8 each, figure it was a decent pick up.

The rack pack is definitely overpriced for the set, but an unusual pick up for the unopened set collection, and the other couple packs are junk wax period ones that are variations so get added to the unopened pack collection.

More recent cards and packs are expensive - it's frustrating for this, but I can't imagine spending the money just to collect these days. I mean, paying about $1 a card or more seems crazy to me.

I do really love how different the packages are over the years, and that's part of why I collect and keep them. Plus, I could have awesome cards in my grasp and not even know it!

Another Matthews on a pack is also a nice addition.

The last pick up was supposed to be a box of the Silly CDs cards for less than $10, but instead they sent a single pack instead. I reached out and asked about a refund, though I was trying to complete the set (well, insert set), but understood sending would be pricey considering it was a single box worth about $10. Their response was to apologize and already have it on it's way saying it was their error and hopefully it would complete my set. Very cool and quick response so A plus for customer service!

Jays Prospecting

 Here we are with a very specific trade offer that came my way, trying to knock off the rest of the Jays I needed on an insert set. With that said, here are the cards I received from TCDB member Parzival42

There are 10 Jays in the pure checklist - though numbered as part, there is an autograph card, so I am fine in counting this insert set as done with the above cards - though I wouldn't mind getting the Justin Jackson autograph card as well.

The big question on these always becomes - did they hit, or did they miss.

Darin made it to one game with the Jays and lasted a couple more in the bigs elsewhere. Brad Mills made about 23 appearances in the Majors, half with Toronto over a few seasons, and that was about it. Lastly, Robinzon made it up with Tornoto for one game before heading off to Pittsburgh where he played another 40 or so games before not reaching the major league level again.

Unfortunately, those results are about right for these draft pick teams that the card companies put together. More misses than hits, but these all hit with me given they finish the Toronto set.

Short But Sweet

 The TCDB community is really great and something I have enjoyed being a part of for over 12 years now. There are so many great members who enjoy the hobby, and yes, now and then there can be a bump in the read, but the share today was a surprise PWE from avsbruins65 who I had done a few trades with over the years, and who happened to throw a few Leafs that I didn't have along for my collection.

All three of these actually were first Leafs in my collection from the perspective sets which is cool. Tavares from 2023-24 O Pee Chee Platinum, Tim Horton from the 2001-02 Upper Deck Stanley Cup Champs set, and Babe Pratt from the 1992-96 Hockey Hall of Fame Legends of Hockey oversized set with a print run of 10,000.

I hadn't seen the Hall of Fame cards in hand before, and are nicely done with a good overview of the career written on the back, for Babe, highlighting the fact that in 26 years in hockey (NHL and otherwise), he was on 15 championship teams which is an incredible feat.

That said, with regards to all of the cards, they are all really nice additions to the collect, and a good surprise in the mail.

4 To Go

 Before getting to some trade sharing for a few days, the last pull for now from the 2026 Lot, and we get a bunch of 2023-24 Upper Deck Allure, working to get closer to the 100 card pure base set.

We have seen all of these cards before in the lot, actually, a lot of the MIA cards were a run in the 40s, with a couple others. As the title suggests, I am down to only four more cards needed, but the couple additions are...

Here we go, with Johnny and Evan new for the set build, as is Auston, though I hope to get another so I get one for the team set and one for the pure base set. I don't think it will be a problem as I suspect there will be more of this set to come out. Definitely feels like leftovers from a box or two, or some blasters, the base of which was put aside to disappear - well, find it's way to me.

Won't complain about picking up Boston cards either since they jeff add to the pile I can pass along to Jeff - which reminds me, I should touch base with him sooner or later, as I should have enough to make a get together worth the 5 minute meet up trip it takes! 

Still think I am higher on that keep parentage than I will end at with the lots as it's very early, and I would think 20% would be fantastic.

LeBron and the Raps

Another bunch from the 2026 Lot, and we get....

Nice to see a LeBron here  star power is always welcome, and like it or not, the king fits the bill.

Definitely recognize the Raptors with Lowry and OG, both of which, of course, moved on from their days in Toronto. A shame with OG, as he has grown, even more, since his days in T.O.

Was Derrick Rose supposed to put the Bulls back on the map? 2011 MVP, but didn't quite rejuvenate the team the way I think he was supposed to.

A decent lot of cards, and getting closer on a pure base set, but I have little interest and happy to trade away teams or players if anyone is interested.

Yay And Oops

 A quick post today to share a few items I picked up online from Cardboard Memories. The purchase included some board game gifts, and a few items for me including these additions to the unopened pack collection.

The Calder pack has different versions of stars on the foil, but not sure if I would get repeats, so just picked up the one.  The other hockey packs help to string together some years for Victory and MVP while I think I am just missing one year of national hockey card day packs now but will have to check.

The Topps baseball pack was a booboo on my end as I misread my pack listing and already had one. Guess I will put it aside to open later!

These packs do put me over 950 packs all in between MTG, Wrestling, Baseball and Hockey.

A Little Pro Set

Well, bound to get some 1990-91 Pro Set hockey cards whenever you buy an assorted lot. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying it's a bad thing, I love the quirky set, and just need some dupes of error cards for the error binder.

Just this one addition today as the rest are duplicates I don't need, but still fun to look at!

The design was solid for the time, though the black corner traded marker could have been better.

Brings back memories of collecting as a kid - this set was everywhere but with over 700 base cards, lots to get.

Hard to complain when the set made room to even feature the refs!

Absolute New

 Always like to introduce new sets represented in a purchased lot, and that's what we get today - a whole bunch of retail cards from 2023 Panini Absolute football.

The cards are on a flat white background, versus the hobby versions which are shiny cards, but the design is pretty good for having no "real" background to the posed shot. I like the use of the team colour and logo to provide the background makes for a pretty and consistent team set.

As for the players represented, I don't think there was any plucking of stars given we have that Mahomes guy and Josh Allen in the first bunch.

I don't think I will ever really become a fan of Panini products, they just seem to be so messy with checklists and inserts/parallels. I mean Topps and Upper Deck definitely have a lot of those items too, but you know clearly what the odds are, almost always, for what you get, and the details of the product are clear.

I get there is some "mystery" in not knowing how likely some stuff is when buying Panini, but if I don't want to know details beforehand, I just won't look it up. After the fact though, I want to know everything about the product, checklist, odds, print run, etc.

Standard fare for the back, though I'd lose the logo spot and make a wider action shot instead of just a headshot, but good otherwise.

The first 100 cards of the base set are what I'd call the "pure" base set, as the second hundred cards are all rookies. Of course then, prospecting collectors hold onto all the rookie cards, waiting to see who becomes money, while I sit with these sets started and for trade, but none of the rookies - even the cheap ones for those that didn't make it very far.

I guess getting more than half the pure base set in one go like this isn't too bad if I were to collect football, but not my thing.

On Topps Or O Pee Chee

 Some baseball cards from the 2026 Lot today, and we get a glimpse that it won't all be relatively newer stuff.

I am slowly working on both the O Pee Chee and Topps versions of the 1991 baseball set, and though most of these are Topps cards, the first, showing the back, is O Pee Chee. Looking at the copyright line or the lighter back colour on these cards is the easiest way to tell as the front design in both sticks to the Topps logo. As for the rest of the cards here, these are all the keepers, except as shown further below, as there are some dupes.

This is definitely one of the sets that comes to mind from my childhood - actually, if I were to pick a specific year across all brands, it's likely 1991 - from the blue and green Donruss cards, to yellow fleer, to this Topps design, these were staples, but yet somehow, I don't have this set complete....yet.

I do have plenty of Jays cards from it though, but another one doesn't hurt.

The trade bait from today...

Not going to complain about McDonalds cards - I have the complete set, so don't need them, but a nice couple cards to see as they are a couple fantastic players too.