I wanted to take today to post about something very personal to me. I have many family members and friends who are police officers and I lived in the Seattle area for 15 years so I felt the need to speak my mind on this situation.
If you have not read, 4 police officers were ambushed and murdered in a coffee house in Lakewood, Washington. The officers were in uniform and meeting before their shift started, a single gunman entered the shop, fired at the officers without any provocation then simply walked out of the shop. Currently there are no suspects and minimal leads for the authorities to follow.
I am greatly saddened by this event; I want to send my condolences and respects to the families of the victims and the officers of the Lakewood Police Department. I can only hope that the suspect is captured quickly and justice is swift.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
2009-10 Panini NBA Limited- Glass Cleaners
Today’s post is just a random thought about an upcoming release, more specifically an upcoming insert that will be part of the 2009-10 Panini Limited NBA set scheduled to be released January 6, 2010. I will do some research on the set and write up a preview at a later date but I just wanted to say how much I really like the “Glass Cleaners” insert.
At first look they appear to be similar in appearance to UD’s SPx Shadow Box inserts and to add to the positive list is that the cards contain on-card signatures of the NBA’s top rebounders both past and present. I am really looking forward to the NBA Limited release.
At first look they appear to be similar in appearance to UD’s SPx Shadow Box inserts and to add to the positive list is that the cards contain on-card signatures of the NBA’s top rebounders both past and present. I am really looking forward to the NBA Limited release.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Blowout Cards Black Friday
Blowout Cards will be offering some great deals for Black Friday beginning 11/27 at 6:00 AM EST running through 4:00 PM EST. For a look at the teaser you can check out their forums to see some of the deals they will be offering.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
The First NFL Thanksgiving Day Game
Most will recognize the name Jim Thorpe, he was an early-20th Century sports figure who made a name playing professional football and baseball and lets not forget his 2 Gold medals in the 1912 Olympics. He made great strides for the Native American movement in professional sports spending most of his time playing for the Canton Bulldogs in the NFL and the for the New York Giants in the MLB and he even played also among the first inductees in to the NFL Hall of Fame when it opened in 1963.
Most people probably will not recognize the name Fritz Pollard though. Fredrick “Fritz” Pollard, along with Bobby Marshall, became the first African-American player in the NFL. He later went on to become the first African-American coach in the NFL. He was also part of the success of the 1920 Akron Pros who went undefeated and won the NFL Championship. He was eventually enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame in 2005.
I decided to create a card containing both Jim Thorpe and Fritz Pollard because of their connection together. One was among the first African-American players in the NFL and the other was among the first Native American players in the NFL. Both players were dominant during their playing days and they met to play in the first NFL Thanksgiving Day game. It was November 25th, 1920, 91 years ago today, and the game ended in a 7-0 win for Pollard and the Akron Pros on their home field League Park.
Most people probably will not recognize the name Fritz Pollard though. Fredrick “Fritz” Pollard, along with Bobby Marshall, became the first African-American player in the NFL. He later went on to become the first African-American coach in the NFL. He was also part of the success of the 1920 Akron Pros who went undefeated and won the NFL Championship. He was eventually enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame in 2005.
I decided to create a card containing both Jim Thorpe and Fritz Pollard because of their connection together. One was among the first African-American players in the NFL and the other was among the first Native American players in the NFL. Both players were dominant during their playing days and they met to play in the first NFL Thanksgiving Day game. It was November 25th, 1920, 91 years ago today, and the game ended in a 7-0 win for Pollard and the Akron Pros on their home field League Park.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Winner!
Recently Card Corner Club started up a social network and as part of the “festivities”, they were giving away cards and held a drawing for one of five prizes. The prizes included some nice giveaways including a 2007 Bowman Football Chrome hobby box, a McFarlane 2 pack, UD RC Premier Basketball and Football box sets and a Matt Stafford relic/auto card. And as luck would have it, I was one of the winners; I was selected to win the UD RC Premier Basketball box set. I am more a football collector but I was happy to just have been selected a winner.
The set itself consists of the first round picks of the 2007 NBA Draft and anyone who has read my blog knows that I am a Kevin Durant fan, but I only collect cards from his Seattle days because I refuse to support Clay Bennett and his OKC Pirates. So this box was a wonderful selection for me because Durant is plastered across the front of the box.
The cards are actually designed pretty well, consisting of the rookie in an action pose from the 2007 Rookie Photo Shoot. The background is a de-saturated photo of the arena in one of the team’s colors and there is an “energy” burst beneath the player. The front banner lists the player, the team name and logo and some silver foil.
The set itself consists of the first round picks of the 2007 NBA Draft and anyone who has read my blog knows that I am a Kevin Durant fan, but I only collect cards from his Seattle days because I refuse to support Clay Bennett and his OKC Pirates. So this box was a wonderful selection for me because Durant is plastered across the front of the box.
The cards are actually designed pretty well, consisting of the rookie in an action pose from the 2007 Rookie Photo Shoot. The background is a de-saturated photo of the arena in one of the team’s colors and there is an “energy” burst beneath the player. The front banner lists the player, the team name and logo and some silver foil.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Hand of God II
Being of Irish decent I support the Emerald Isle when it comes to sports. In yesterday’s World Cup qualifier between France and Ireland an injustice prevailed and directly affected the outcome the game when France’s Thierry Henry palmed the before it could go out then controlled the ball before passing it to William Gallas who headed the ball in for the winning goal.
Now I do have to say that Henry has class because he has since come out and admitted the handball, but unfortunately this is considered a done deal. There most likely will not be a re-play of the game and the score will go down in the record books as a 2-1 win for France. This is a situation where we need to accept it as it is and commend Henry for being honest about the situation. I think this will go down in infamy along with Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal in the 1986 World Cup against England.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
2009 Elite Basketball
Panini has posted a slideshow giving a look at the upcoming 2009 Elite Basketball set scheduled for release next week, Nov 25th. It looks to be a typical Panini release with lots of great pictures, lots of inserts, interestingly designed backgrounds, sticker autos and ill placed relics.
I admit it, I am a Donruss fan! I loved the Diamond King puzzles from the 80s and some of my favorite sets in the 90s were the Diamond King and Studio Heritage releases.
But...it seems as if Panini has limited designs that are reused over and over. I seriously hope that this is a temporary thing while Panini and Donruss work out details and eventually new and creative designs are released. I will continue to support the company in hopes that things change and refreshing ideas begin to flow from their designers. Hopefully Panini is watching the forums, message boards and blogsphere and keeps an open mind on the future.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Is It The End For AI?
My favorite a-hole, Allen Iverson, has been waived by the Memphis Grizzlies. I never thought that Memphis was a good fit for AI especially considering he would be sitting behind O.J. Mayo and Iverson is not someone who thinks he should ever be a backup.
At this point there does not seem to be much of an option for him, not this early in the season anyway. As the season grinds on and players get injured or later when teams begin clamoring for playoff position there may be a few buyers but AI may need to wait for the phone to ring. Hopefully when the time comes he ends up going somewhere that he can be used to his strengths… scoring points.
I never collected Allen Iverson cards while he was with Philadelphia, I thought he was an ass who could score but when he traded to Denver I started pulling AI cards out of almost every product. I figured it was time to give him a chance. Now I will grab up the occasional AI card when I see something interesting.
At this point there does not seem to be much of an option for him, not this early in the season anyway. As the season grinds on and players get injured or later when teams begin clamoring for playoff position there may be a few buyers but AI may need to wait for the phone to ring. Hopefully when the time comes he ends up going somewhere that he can be used to his strengths… scoring points.
I never collected Allen Iverson cards while he was with Philadelphia, I thought he was an ass who could score but when he traded to Denver I started pulling AI cards out of almost every product. I figured it was time to give him a chance. Now I will grab up the occasional AI card when I see something interesting.
Friday, November 13, 2009
#23
In 1997 Major League Baseball retired #42 to honor Jackie Robinson, new players are no longer able to wear that number. Last night following the Cavaliers/Heat game LeBron announced that he will be switching from #23 to #6 after this season ends and is asking the to NBA retire #23 league wide.
He explains his reasoning as his way of showing respect to Michael Jordan, which seems pretty humbling: As LeBron put it “There would be no LeBron James, no Kobe Bryant, no Dwyane Wade if there wasn't Michael Jordan first.” On the surface this seems as a respectful offering from one of today’s top players, he sees how the history of the game has set the standard for today’s stars. LeBron wore #6 during international play and it has been rumored that he wears #6 in practice on occasion.
According to NBA rules LeBron has until March to formally request the jersey number change if he remains with Cleveland. If he signs with a new team he will be able to select any jersey number at that time. There are only about a dozen players in the NBA that wear #23 and so far one of them, the Suns Jason Richardson, has come out in full support of LeBron’s suggestion.
Would this be a wise decision for the NBA? History says, “Yes”. When Jordan came back wearing the #45, jersey sales increased, the same thing happened when Bryant switched from #24 to #8. This could turn out to be a positive for the card companies too. Collectors will be racing to pick up the new releases to get LeBron in his new jersey number. Upper Deck having the exclusive with LeBron could profit as well.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Our Veterans
Today’s post is not about sports, but instead it is about Veterans Day. Today is the day that we recognize our veterans, both past and present. Almost everyone has a connection to a veteran, be it you, a parent, sibling, aunts or uncles, cousins or other. My family is no different both past and current. My brother is currently in the Army and has done 3 tours in Iraq; his wife did 2 tours in Iraq before retiring earlier this year.
No matter what your political beliefs are we need to always support our soldiers. The soldiers that have been to Iraq or Afghanistan need to know that we appreciate what they have done for us. Please take a moment to tell them.
Veterans Day is directly connected to WW1; the Armistice that ended the war was signed on November 11th, 1918 at 11am (11/11 at 11am). There is only 1 living American veteran from that war, Frank Buckles, he is our last thread to that era.
Support the troops, let them know we care and have not forgotten what they have done for us. To support the troops currently serving overseas you can send a care package directly or anonymously. Talk to soldier’s commanding officer, spouses or families to send a package directly or you can make donations through non-profit organizations like Red Cross or USO.
No matter what your political beliefs are we need to always support our soldiers. The soldiers that have been to Iraq or Afghanistan need to know that we appreciate what they have done for us. Please take a moment to tell them.
Veterans Day is directly connected to WW1; the Armistice that ended the war was signed on November 11th, 1918 at 11am (11/11 at 11am). There is only 1 living American veteran from that war, Frank Buckles, he is our last thread to that era.
Support the troops, let them know we care and have not forgotten what they have done for us. To support the troops currently serving overseas you can send a care package directly or anonymously. Talk to soldier’s commanding officer, spouses or families to send a package directly or you can make donations through non-profit organizations like Red Cross or USO.
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