Full Steen ahead

Being mid-April, I apologize if I am not too talkative in my postings with how insanely busy the month is work wise. I still like having the quick break of going through some "packs" of Santa Lot cards or otherwise, but just not as much interest in writing excessively about them.

Highlights:

Steen is a new Leaf card for my collection, and more so continues to add to the set. The 2007-08 Be A Player set is 300 cards, but with the last 100 being short printed rookies....sigh....I'd be happy with the 200 card pure base set. Here we move up to about 63 of 200 cards. When the Santa Lot is done, I am going to have to take a good hard look at these types of sets and see if I should push to complete, or keep my Leafs and trade parts away.....

The rest
Keepers:

Another set being slowly worked on like the Be A Player set - 2008-09 Upper Deck Victory. The set is similar, except, 250 in total, 200 pure base. That said, unlike the Be A Player set, I have picked up a number of the rookie cards so the full 250 isn't that far out of reach, and we are 160 cards in.

Traders:


Through 11260 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 Base (x 4) and 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

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

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	184	25
Inserts / Var Kept	359	61
Error	19	3
Keep	2216	342
Doubles/Sell	1958	258	1804	3131	309	42
Doubles Inserts / Var	147	4	181	217

A Messy Messier

Highlights:

Nothing significant for keeping to highlight, but a jazzy design is always a plus. Other than the stressed look on Ben's face, these are pretty nice and scan really beautifully. Cards are great for the information and history they preserve, but doing so in a jazzy look is a great plus.

Loelight:

A nice massive crease across the middle of this poor Messier. So, not one I am keeping, but into the packaging material pile he goes.

The rest
Keepers:

Non-Flyer Mark Recchi...boo. Almost as confusing as the Montreal jersey'd Islander'd logo Streit.

Traders:


Not that I forgot to scan a card, but another piece of packaging material with a dummy white cardboard piece.

Through 11240 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 Base (x 4) and 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

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

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	182	25
Inserts / Var Kept	359	61
Error	19	3
Keep	2207	342
Doubles/Sell	1952	258	1804	3128	309	42
Doubles Inserts / Var	147	4	181	217

More Inserts of History

As usual, Wrestlemania was a fun watch last night. Brock and Charlotte retaining were surprises, but Block's I like, Charlotte's, we will have to see how it is played out. Overall, since I did better than my brother and cousin, it was a winning evening for me, so I will take it!

Highlights:

So, the 1957-58 Variation inserts from 2007-08 Topps are nice, but with 33 of 50, I am still hoping that I might actually complete the insert set in total. It would make a nice bit of trade bait for someone. If anyone is interested in any singles, I do have dupes of some. I am going to wait until the Santa Lot is over before trading all of them away, but no problem getting rid of dupes right now.

The rest
Keepers:

Now THAT is the Iginla I remember. He will always be a Flame, it is just unfortunate he couldn't bring a Cup to Calgary, but then again, being from Toronto, I don't need to go into details of people who deserve a Cup and not getting it.

Traders:


Some more 2007-08 Hot Prospect Fleer hockey which have been sprinkled throughout the Santa Lot.

Through 11220 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 Base (x 4) and 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

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

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	182	25
Inserts / Var Kept	359	61
Error	19	3
Keep	2204	342
Doubles/Sell	1940	257	1801	3128	309	42
Doubles Inserts / Var	146	4	181	217

Wrestlemania Predictions

Why not take an opportunity to either look really smart or really foolish with some predictions for Wrestlemania tonight? No card pics on this one if that's what you are looking for, but I have my |usual" daily post up already earlier today if you haven't checked it out yet.

First - anyone who did not see the NXT Takeover event last night - watch it. Up and down the card, great matches and great wrestling. Loved the ladder match, and Johnny Wrestling was awesome as usual.

So in no particular order....

CW Championship Match - Cedric vs Ali
The choice is Cedric if everything were as I would expect - I think the babyface win is needed and I think they then might have Ali win it at the Greatest Royal Rumble special on April 27th.

Winner - Cedric

Andre Battle Royal
These are so wide open and don't have a real great prize for the winner beyond bragging rights so it could easily be a number of guys such as Elias (though I don't think he needs the extra accolade right now), Corbin (who would be a two time winner), Matt Hardy, or even a returning Samoa Joe or Big Cass. With it being such a toss up - I am going with Matt Hardy in hopes it gives a little something more for him to elevate him to the main event, but I don't have a lot of faith in this one.

Winner - Matt Hardy

Women's Battle Royal
Like the men's, fairly wide open. I am going to guess they use it to further the Sasha / Bayley issue and have them final two or three. If they are going with the Bayley heel turn, then I think Bayley wins by being a meanie.

Winner - Bayley

Shane/Bryan vs Zayn/Owens
Daniel - please don't kill yourself, otherwise this should be a great match. I am not sure if there will be shenanigans, but I hope they are post match - Daniel deserves to win his first match back.

Winner - Shane / Bryan

AJ / Shinsuke
Honestly, I don't care who wins as it should be a great match that both deserve, and after Wrestlemania, they should both still be in the title picture. Given I want AJ to have a great Wrestlemania moment...

Winner - AJ

Miz / Balor / Rollins
Honestly, I think it is a toss up, so I am going to say that Balor and Rollins cost themselves the match and Miz steals it.

Winner - Miz - he is awesome after all, and a new dad

Orton / Roode / Mahal / Rusev
I would normally go with Rusev winning since Wrestlemania is happening on Rusev day this year, but with him being added fairly last minute, I don't think that is the plan they were going with. I think Orton retains, but Mahal gets positioned to get the belt back from him, maybe later this month.

Winner - Orton

Undertaker / Cena
It will happen, and it will happen tonight, but I am hoping it isn't Undertaker, but insead the American Bad Ass. I mean, Kid Rock is there, some of the lines and Cena taunts have teased it, and Taker "hung it up" last year. Heck, I would love an impromptu Kid Rock singing the Wrestlemania theme with Cena in the crowd - front row along the entranceway....As the song ends, Kid Rock is near Cena, turns to him and simply says "He's here" and goes into American Bad Ass as Taker comes out.

Winner - American Bad Ass

Bliss / Jax
Conventional wisdom tells me, this is the squash for the night. Bullying is bad - Bliss has been a bully, Jax will be a star and squish her quickly. I'd rather see Alexa steal a win, but don't think it is in the cards.

Winner - Jax

Usos / Bludgeon / New Day
This one is a toss up, and when that happens, I stick with the champs. I think this is a fierce battle, but Usos steal it like I want to see from the Bliss match.

Winner - Usos

Braun vs The Bar
I originally thought Hawkins would be the perfect partner for Braun as a mascot / loser, but the way they are going I could even see them go the route of Kane or Big Show even with the issues they have had, regardless - Braun will win and The Bar will get these hands...

Winner - Braun

Here is where I might look foolish....what I think are the "gimmies"

Brock vs Reigns
Unless WWE and UFC have gotten all cozy together, Brock is gone after tonight and going to UFC. Reigns will win, the build has been done for this, it has to happen, and frankly, if this goes on last, I hope they have another plan because the place may riot. Reigns needs to be a heel and unless that comes with the win tonight....yikes. This may be as ugly as Goldberg / Brock back in the day.

Winner - Roman Reigns

Kurt/Ronda vs HHH/Steph
No way Ronda is losing in her first match, and her making Steph tap out does nothing but start the slow build for her over the next year. Kurt and HHH will carry the wrestling, but Ronda will end it with Steph.

Winner - Ronda/Kurt

Charlotte vs Asuka
The streak remains alive, and if the match above goes well for them, the build for Rousey vs Asuka, The baddest woman on the planet vs the streak at Wrestlemania 35 begins.

Winner - Asuka

Regardless of all the above, it will be a fun night - hope you all enjoy!

Less can be more - sometimes

Today, the second half of the Dollarama 80 pack, but first, as with everyone else, my heart goes out to all of the families hurting from the fatal crash in Saskatchewan seeing the Humboldt Bronco team bus T-boned with about half the team dying from the accident. Such a sad tragedy.

Puts everything else into perspective a bit....



This would be the reason I picked the pack in the first place. Of the our cards showing, this was a Jays card that I didn't have, and that was a good enough reason to pick the pack. Unfortunately, this was the only Jay from this half of the pack. I also just noticed, you can't even read Yunel's name on the front given the silver on black.


A nice variety of parallels and inserts here. The typical Bowman "everything is an insert", but also another gold foil Topps, but best of all is a Glossy Fleer Devon White card - very nice!

The rest of the keepers...

No cards this time, that go into the 70s, but a couple more 1981s isn't too shabby to go with the few 1988 Topps needs as well.


I really like the card stock of the Goudey cards, though I only have a dozen or so of them I believe.

Identical to yesterday, half the cards here - dupes...



Nothing too exciting in the dupes and traders. I don't have the Classics Gold card, but minor league stuff is just not my thing. First card I have ever seen from the set and seems very 90s in design - take that for what it's worth.

Yesterday was the winner to me, but a fun weekend activity still!

Another Dollarama Weekend

Seems to be a fun way to spend a weekend, take a $3 pack of 80 baseball cards, split it over the weekend and see what comes of it. So, let's partake again today (and tomorrow). What I look for in these are of course, Blue Jays, maybe some inserts, older cards are nice to see, and anything that I otherwise don't have, and today I get a bit of everything.


The Jays are great getting 3 in 40 cards. The fact I get a 1982 Topps Garcia which I didn't yet have is icing on the cake.


To be honest, I thought the 1st Edition stamp meant this was a parallel card a set available to Topps Home Team Advantage Dealers - thanks Billy! - from 2004 Topps. I didn't know the gold foil was a parallel for the 2008 Topps set. I don't have many, but may have to go back and see if I happen to have missed having one or two others....

As for the keepers...

Wow! A 1978 card is a nice pick up, even if it isn't in perfect condition. A bunch of 1988 Topps aren't too bad either since it is a set I will (one day) finish.

The other new cards to me are more recent (of which I don't have as many).

The only down side from this half is the fact I didn't need half the pack. I don't mind when it is about a third, but half is a bit much. I will let it go this time with the three Jays though, can't win it all.



No surprise that there is a lot of Topps late 80s here, and even early 90s. Just what happens with these packs.

A great start to the pack though for the most part...we shall see about tomorrow's half soon enough!

One of the Miracle Men

On and off we see insert sets within NHL hockey sets which have an international (or national) patriotic theme to them. I can think of a couple base subset examples too thinking back to early 90s Parkhurst for an example.

I can get behind such inserts, even if not Canadian in nature. Today's highlight is an example of such.

Highlight:

This insert out of Legendary Signatures is from the Miracle Men insert set (as it says on the card). As the name suggests, I think these cards are well set up to be signed, but even without, a decently different design as a "normal" card. As for what this set highlights - the miracle men of 1980 which won Olympic gold for the US team.

The rest
Keepers:

The Rookie Update cards out of 2002-03 are both printing error cards I will keep as the card backs are slightly off and you can see the back of the card beside for a few millimeters.

Traders:



Through 11200 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 Base (x 4) and 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

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

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	182	25
Inserts / Var Kept	359	61
Error	19	3
Keep	2199	342
Doubles/Sell	1934	257	1798	3126	309	42
Doubles Inserts / Var	146	4	177	217