When I was a child collecting sports cards (mostly baseball, back in those days), I always dreamed of opening my own card shop. The closest true shop to my house was a comic/card shop about 20 miles away in a much bigger city, which always seemed like the ultimate place to work (I was into comics for a while in that time period too).  There was a video rental store in my home town that sold cards, too–the owner was a collector, and that’s where I got most of my collection.

Of course, this was in the days before hobby vs. retail, jersey patch cards, autograph inserts and serial numbered cards. In fact, when he started getting in the 1990 Upper Deck, and packs went up to $1 apiece, is when I started to lose interest in collecting (the first time).  I probably hung on a bit for a year or so after that, but it was never quite the same.

Fast forward about 20 years, and while I still think owning a card shop would be cool, I don’t have the same passion for the industry I once did.  In fact, I don’t believe I’ve bought a pack in at least two years, which goes a long way to explaining why I hardly ever post anything here anymore. I still stop into my local card shop somewhat frequently, but mostly because I’ve become friends with the owner, and I’ve done some business with him (selling cards and building websites).

While the concept of running a card shop still appeals to me, I also seriously doubt that the hobby could support many more stores in our market–there are at least four physical stores in the Twin Cities (although one focuses on vintage stuff), fairly spread out–even if I were to want to look at opening one, the best markets would be considerably out of the way for me.

However, being a bit of a web geek, the idea of starting an online shop has also always been in the back of my mind.  The main reasons for not doing so are that, while I am a web geek, I’m not really a technical web geek, so coding a shop (even starting with an open source platform) would have been a time consuming challenge, and the payment gateways that allow you to take credit cards typically charge fees that would discourage somebody from dabbling in running a store.

However, a couple months back, I came across an article in a magazine about a service called Goodsie, which was an online ecommerce platform designed to make it easy for not-so-technically savvy people to put up a ecommerce store. I filed it away, but then came across another article a few weeks ago talking about it, and took it to be a sign that I should at least check it out.

So I started playing around with it, and found it fairly interesting–setup was a breeze, design wasn’t too hard (not that I’ve pushed the envelope there), and product entry was relatively painless.  It’s not perfect, but I’ve had a positive enough experience that I thought I would open it up to the public and see what happens.

So, if you have a few minutes, please check out www.TheSportsCardMarket.com and let me know what you think.

A couple of things–there’s only about 20-30 cards on there right now (all football right now), and I never expect to be a super high volume seller–more just selling off some of the stuff from my collection that I think people might be most interested in, at prices that I think are reasonable. If you’d like to find out if I have more cards of a player, or haggle on a price, in most cases I’ll be open to it–think of it as an eBay store that is more open to communicating and with fewer fees for me as a seller.

So let me know what you think!

Check out my other football related blog, atZoneBlitz.com

Starting a New Venture

I first saw the news at Cardboard Junkie (although he apparently thinks that baseball is all that matters…I hope he’s kidding), and then found the news at Wax Heaven and a couple of other sites.  I even noticed this morning that ProFootballTalk had the news on their site–albeit with his rather unsupported claim that “the trading-card industry has diminished over the past two decades, possibly due to the inherently low-tech nature of it.”

My take on it?  Like most people blogging about the card industry, I do tend to think it’s too bad that all sports appear to be heading down a more exclusive path.  While the NFL is still granting licenses to Upper Deck and Panini, rather than a single card company, I do tend to think that in all cases less competition amongst card companies ill simply mean that the card companies will have less incentive to put out product that is truly the best it could be.

While I don’t share the level of angst some in the card blogging community have towards…seemingly all manufacturers, and in fact have largely gotten out of collecting (although I am taking part in mini-card show next month–was supposed to happen last spring, but never did…more on that in a later post), I do tend to agree that the card companies have not been putting out their best work in recent times.

Personally, if I was the NFL/MLB/NBA/etc, rather than restrict the licenses completely, I would spend some time coming up with better guidelines for the card companies in using their logos/names in products–more restrictions on the number of sets, better quality control, better controls around forgeries, and making sure that there is value in card collecting for everyone–from the companies to the leagues to the actual collecters.

But that’s just me–what do I know.  What about everyone else?

Check out my other football related blog, atZoneBlitz.com

Topps Loses Football License

1982 Topps Pat McInally

Today, my surfing led me to the Wikipedia page for Pat McInally, who played for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1975 to 1985.  The reason his name jumped out at me when I saw it on another Wiki page (I believe I was looking at the 1975 draft), was that when I was younger, McInally’s cards would always fascinate me–I’d heard of guys playing multiple positions, but how often do you see a guy that split time between wide receiver and punter?  And later in his career, a punter wearing #87 on his jersey?

(And yes, I know Danny White was often listed as QB-P–but for some reason, that never seemed quite as unusual to me).

Beyond the oddity of his WR/P position, I had never looked much into McInally’s career–what I found was actually kind of interesting:

• He attended Harvard University, and led the nation in receiving in 1973.
• He suffered a broken leg in the 1976 College All-Star Game, which forced him to miss his rookie season, and was part of the reason the College All-Star Game was cancelled after the ’76 edition
• Prior to the 1975 draft, McInally scored what is the only verified perfect score on the Wonderlic Test, which is given to draft prospects at the combine
• In the 1981 season, McInally became the first NFL player from Harvard to play in the Super Bowl and the Pro Bowl (as a punter).  He was also named to the All-Pro team that season.

Perhaps the biggest thing that I didn’t realize about McInally, though, was that he was actually responsible for conceiving the Starting Lineup action figures–precursor’s to today’s popular McFarlane figurines.

After seeing action figures like GI Joe at a toy store, and not seeing any sports related figures, he took his idea to Kenner, and helped them secure the licensing rights to create figures for the NFL, MLB and NBA, and they took off from there.

And this is why, in 1997 (over 10 years after he retired), there was a Pat McInally Starting Lineup figure produced.

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Random Surfing: Pat McInally

While there, I noticed that some new football cards were in–including Bowman Draft Picks, which apparently replaced Topps Rookie Progression (which I didn’t care for), which had replaced Topps Draft Picks & Prospects (which was actually a favorite of mine).

I asked how the reaction had been, and he said mostly positive in his shop–although he admitted he didn’t think it was that great.  I decided, “What the heck, it’s been almost a year–why not grab a box.”

I wish I’d listened to him.

I got all the big base cards (Stafford, Sanchez, Harvin, etc), and I got my two hits–an auto of…someone (that’s how impressive it was–I think it was a 7th round pick), and a letter auto of Aaron Kelly.

So how is it that I can remember Kelly (who was an undrafted free agent signed by the Falcons out of Clemson)?

Well, I figured I already had invested in a full box–why not invest a little more, and do something I’d always wanted–assemble a full players name of letter patches.  So, after a couple of weeks of playing around on eBay and assembling the best deals I could, this is what I put together:

Aaron Kelly Bowman Letter Patches

I figured, what the heck–it’s a short name, I got all the patches for $10 or less, and who knows–maybe the guy will turn into something.  He is a 6-5, 205 pound WR who apparently was impressive at Clemson, and apparently has some skills.

Of course, I did find out he was waived today–although speculation is pretty strong that he will be brought back to the Falcons practice squad, if he clears waivers…

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2009 Bowman Draft Picks

And a lot of lineman seem to like to have fun while playing–from practical jokes, to contests to see who can go the furthest into the season without wearing long sleeves, to fining other linemen in Kangaroo Court just for talking to the media (both of the latter of which Hall of Fame Tackle and former Viking Gary Zimmerman was famous for).  Seems offensive linemen are often some of the smartest players on the field as well–which if you really knew the complexity of some of the blocking schemes, you’d understand why they need to be.

I think it’s that reason that this comment, left by a regular on a local sports blog that I follow, drew my attention–granted, it was from two months ago, but it’s getting to be the football time of year, and I just came across it again.

Tim Irwin wasn’t the greatest offensive lineman in NFL history–in fact, he was probably the 3rd or 4th best lineman on most of the Viking teams he played for (granted, those were some high quality lines with Zimmerman, Hall of Famer Randall McDaniel, center Kirk Lowdermilk and the like), but Irwin was a solid right tackle who brought his lunch pail, did his job, and played for a long time.  In fact, although it probably won’t stay this way much longer, he’s currently in the Top 100 for career games started in the NFL, with 187.

Irwin was no dummy, either–he ended up getting his law degree, and started his own firm after his career was over.  I think he served as player agent for a couple of guys at one point, but more recently has served as a Judge of a Juvenile Court in Knox County, Tennessee.

So the fact that Irwin likely spent an entire preseason answering requests for autographs by requesting that the seeker write to Topps asking that they include him in the next years football card set is awesome–and exactly the kind of story that I get a kick out of.   The fact that Irwin was included the next year makes it even better.

Offensive lineman rarely get much love in today’s sets, given that they lack the big name–but back when sets were a bit bigger, you’d regularly see a couple offensive linemen, a couple of defensive linemen, and even maybe the kicker and punter from each team get cards.

Irwin had a few cards over the years, several of which are available on Ebay today..

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Great Football Card Mini-Story

One recent search led me to a seller who had recently opened a case of 2006 Bowman Chrome, and had several individual rookies, rookie autos, uncirculated rookies, etc that were of interest to me, and all at reasonable prices.  So I ended up bidding on a whole slew of them.

I didn’t win them all, but all told, I won 8 auctions–one uncirculated rookie, one rookie auto, and six individual rookie cards.

Now, they were all listed with $2 shipping, and granted I didn’t ask up front about combined shipping or shipping method–but I got the invoice, and the seller had dropped shipping from $16 to $8–which, based on my experience, I thought seemed a little high, but I figured “Eh, could have been worse.”

Then, a few days later, an envelope arrived.  Not a padded envelope, just a regular #10 envelope.  Inside, the cards were wrapped securely inside some paper, and taped/stapled into place, so they wouldn’t move around the envelope too much–but once I opened that up, I was once again dismayed–the six rookie cards were in penny sleeves only, taped between the rookie auto (in a top loader) and the uncirculated rookie.  That’s right, he taped right to the uncirculated case (including the hologram tape seal), with no team bag or anything.

Fortunately, I was able to get the tape off the case with no problems, and all the cards were fine.  But in all, the guy spent $1.34 on postage, and probably less than $0.50 on packaging expenses, for $8 in shipping charges.

I understand I got many of the auctions for very cheap, and the guy was probably just trying to make some additional profit–but even using my shipping methods (all cards in top loader, wrapped in invoice, using padded envelope) and charges (I think I usually at $0.50 per additional auction), there would have been more money made.

And then I wouldn’t have made sure to dock him on my review of his shipping charges when I left feedback.

Needless to say, I’m not real likely to buy there again…

Check out my other football related blog, atZoneBlitz.com

How to Not Get Repeat Business on Ebay

Sure enough, a couple weeks back, as I was Christimas shopping at one of the local giant box stores, I took a quick peek at the card aisle, and while they had no blasters, they did have individual packs, so I grabbed a few (along with some Bowman Chrome–old habits die hard).

Sure enough, I was hooked–not a set I would ever expect to get rich busting, but great looking cards that mix classic football moments, icons, and modern day stars.  Some of my early “hits” included a couple decent rookies (Matt Forte & Kevin Smith), Brett Favre, Tom Brady and Joe Namath.

But my favorite card?  Brian Bosworth, sporting probably the best mullet in the NFL (until Jared Allen came along).

2008 Masterpieces YA Tittle

2008 Masterpieces Joe Namath

2008 Masterpieces Brian Bosworth

And when I stopped back tonight, they had a couple of blasters (and they must have been on sale, unless $15.99 is the normal price), so I’ve added to the collection–although I’ve already doubled (or tripled or quadrupled, in the case of Peyton Manning) up on some.

I’ll try to get a list up of what I have and what I don’t, in case I decide to go after a set–but I did get a kind of cool Favre/Paul Hornung card, a Bob Sanders tackling Lynn Swann card, and Scott Norwood Wide Right and multiple Eli Manning/David Tyree Helmet Catch cards (including a black bordered one)–but still now Slow Plow Game.

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Now Collecting: 2008 Upper Deck Masterpieces

So where have I been, that has prevented me from posting on my football card blog during the football season?

Well, nowhere, unfortunately.

Back around the start of the football season, there was a convergence of things that made me back away from the hobby some–a combination of me putting more time in on another football blog that I help run, to a vacation that put me a week behind in catching up with the rest of the sports card blogs, to frankly just getting kind of worn out with the whole scene.

Oh, and a combination of being disgusted with Beckett, turned off with the general direction the card companies were going, and not being real impressed with the rookie class this year (good call on my part–although, in my defense, I still don’t think that anyone in this rookie class has long term superstar potential), and I decided I wasn’t going to buy any more 2008 product.

So, in terms of the hobby, since I posted last September about opening a box of Donruss Threads, you’ve missed…nothing.

But, in the last few weeks, things have started to percelate again.  I’ve started reading a few of the blogs again.  I’m getting ready to set up at my first show–during which I hope to REDUCE my collection some, and pick up some cash.  And I even broke down and picked up a box of cards–to no one who regularly reads the site’s surprise I’m sure, it was a box of Bowman Chrome.

So I finally decided I would pick things up here again.  No promises on regular posting, no Cards of the Week (for a little bit), and likely still not much in terms of box breaks.  But we’ll see.

As for the box of Bowman Chrome–not real exciting–Ryan Torain Autograph, Joe Flacco Refractor being the main highlights–but it was fun to open again.

As for the show that’s coming up–it’s not really a “real” show–rather a friend set up last year at a bar in a small town about a half-hour south of the Twin Cities, and had a decent draw considering the town is less than 5,000 people.  So he decided to do it again this year, and I’ve offered to set up too.  Unfortunately, it will be after Christmas this year–but we’ll see how it goes.

So, if anyone is interested in trading me Vikings cards (or Twins, for that matter–maybe Wild, if there are actually any hockey collectors out there–as for basketball, well, when Minnesota gets an NBA team, maybe I’ll be interested)–vintage, new, whatever–let me know, and we’ll see if we can work a deal.

Also, I still am interested in completing that 2007 Refractor set, and am still toying with the idea of completing the 1982 Topps as well.

So drop me a line if you get a chance–hopefully there are still a few readers left around here!

Oh, and a special PS note, to commentor Shawn–I apologize for not responding to your message, but you hit me right in the middle of my funk.  I hope you figured out a way to get your cards back from Iraq–and I think it’s awesome that you were able to collect while you were there.  Here’s a special shout out to your card store site–hopefully I can drive you a sale or two.

Check out my other football related blog, atZoneBlitz.com

Guess Who’s Back, Back Again…

So I actually opened the whole box the night before I left, thinking I would pre-write some posts for publishing while here.

But then the inevitable happened–the box pretty much sucked. Which meant writing about it wouldn’t be all that fun.

Still, here are the hits:

#199 Justin Miller rookie (#314/999)
#RCCM-2 Joe Flacco/Ray Rice Rookie Collection Materials (#320/500)
#173 Darius Reynaud rookie autograph (#656/999)
#148 Clinton Portis Bronze Parallel (#175/250)
#250 Zackary Bowman rookie (#155/999)
#PGK-50 Maurice Jones-Drew Pro Gridiron King Gold #028/100)
#104 Willie Parker Jersey (#090/250)
#178 DJ Hall Autograph rookie autograph (#452/999)
#155 Antoine Cason bronze rookie (#184/250)

In addition to the various non-numbered inserts and “Common” cards. At this point, I’m missing just 19 of the “Common” non-rookie cards–but I’m not too worried about picking them up, although if anyone is interested in trading to try to complete a set, feel free to drop me a line.

While the box wasn’t that good, I’m not going to complain–the Matt Ryan rookie card I pulled in the first box will hopefully pay for both boxes, and a few of the other cards should sell for enough to make a little profit on the box–which in this case, is probably what I was hoping for.

I’ll be back to Minnesota on Sunday night, in plenty of time to watch the big opener with the Packers on Monday night. I’ll hopefully get on the “Card of the Week” track again (it’s been more like card of the month–or worse as of late), with at least one each week of the regular season.

Check out my other football related blog, atZoneBlitz.com

2008 Donruss Threads – Box #2

Well, a few months back, since we also participate in some fantasy baseball leagues, we decided to launch something similar for baseball–this BrushBackPitch.com was born. And, since I do actually occasionally buy some baseball cards too, I thought I’d include baseball cards as a topic for that blog.

Unfortunately, I haven’t written about any baseball card topics–until today, as I wanted to put my two cents out there about the Kosuke Fukudome Bowman Chrome Autograph fiasco.  Actually, Chris at StaleGum wrote about the same thing that I was planning on writing–but I’ve always felt that this “error” card trend is ridiculous, given today’s technologies, and I think something needs to be done to put a stop to it, for the good of the hobby AND the good of MLB’s name.

Meanwhile, Donruss (who I think makes some of the better football cards out there) can’t even get their MLB license back…

Anyway, I hope you’ll check out the site, and consider adding it to your bookmarks or RSS subscription list.

Check out my other football related blog, atZoneBlitz.com

New Baseball Card (and other stuff) Blog