He played there? Football Edition: Part 1

This "Cards for Blog" box that is sitting next to my computer has been taunting me lately. I know, I know, I need to write stuff for everyone to read while they're on the toilet or sitting on their couch with their family pet in their lap. Sometimes the box overwhelms me, but today, I figured I'd at least try to get 1 in before the weekend and my son's football team's championship game. You read that right, my 5-year-old son's team is actually playing in the Super Bowl this Sunday. Win or lose, they get a police escort back to their home field. This is actually a big deal in our town and I'm proud of my buddy for sticking it out in his first season and not complaining and learning a lot about football. Hopefully they win! LET'S GO WEST A!

With that said, on to the "He played there" Football edition! 

No one will really care, or care to remember this first one, but this one is for me. In 1993, the rookie quarterbacks were all the rage. Rick Mirer and Drew Bledsoe were two players I was actively hunting that season. I pulled a few nice Bledsoe's but only pulled 1 Rick Mirer that year. Mirer, if you had forgotten was selected 2nd overall behind Bledsoe in the 1993 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame. He was hyped as the next Montana due to both of them being former Notre Dame quarterbacks. In his rookie season, he did not disappoint. Mirer would set NFL rookie records for attempts, completions and yardage (since broken by Andrew Luck). He would finish second in the Rookie of the Year award behind his former college teammate Jerome Bettis. After Mirer's rookie season, he was never able to recreate the success he had and had bounced around with stops with the Chicago Bears, New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders and Detroit Lions, but only playing games with Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Oakland. So, for basically my excitement only, here are cards at 2 of those stops.

How was he acquired? June 13, 2000, the San Francisco 49ers signed Rick Mirer to a 1-year $440,000 contract. March 23, 2002, the Oakland Raiders signed Rick Mirer to a 1-year contract. May 10, 2004, the Detroit Lions signed Rick Mirer to a 1-year contract.

2000 Upper Deck Encore Rick Mirer #183

2004 Topps Rick Mirer #5 (showing both Raiders and Lions - a BONUS!)

From one 49er to another one. Richard Dent was a player that most, if not all would associate with the Chicago Bears. Dent was a sack master. In fact, to date, he ranks 3rd all-time in sacks in the NFL with 137.5. He was a legend. A 2-time Super Bowl Champion, Super Bowl XX MVP, 4-time Pro Bowler and Hall of Famer (2011). However, did you know in 1994, he spent 2 games with the San Francisco 49ers (earning his 2nd Super Bowl win - even though he was on injured reserve) and after a brief stop back in Chicago, he played for the Colts in 1996 and finished his career with the Eagles in 1997? Well, I didn't! It wasn't until I was putting together some Action Packed sets that I did a double take at a card I had. It was Dent as a 49er! I thought, well, this has to go in the blog. Here it is!

How was he acquired? On June 9, 1994, the San Francisco 49ers signed Richard Dent to a 2-year contract.

1994 Action Packed Richard Dent #192

On to another Hall of Famer. This next player is also an analyst. He is also considered to be one of the best receivers in the history of the NFL (depending on who you ask). He's an 8-time Pro Bowler, led the NFL in TD's 3 times during his career, has his #80 retired by the Vikings and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2013). It's Cris Carter! Carter is most remembered for his time with the Minnesota Vikings or the Philadelphia Eagles. After Carter retired in May of 2001, he began to work with HBO as an analyst. However, his retirement was short lived as he would come out of retirement to sign with the injury riddled Miami Dolphins thanks to some persuasion from his friend Dan Marino. He would play his final 5 NFL games and retire for a second time as a Miami Dolphin. He finished that season with 8 catches for 66 yards and 1 touchdown. 

How was he acquired? On October 21, 2002, the Miami Dolphins signed Cris Carter to a 1-year contract.

2003 Topps Cris Carter #130

The next player was just inducted into the Hall of Fame (about darn time). It's Roger Craig. During his career, Craig was a versatile running back. He is the first NFL player to gain 1,000 yards both rushing and receiving in the same year. Marshall Faulk and Christian McCaffery are the only other running backs to do so. When I was growing up in the 80's, he was always a guy I didn't mind pulling from a pack of cards. Craig was a 3-time Super Bowl Champ, NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1988), 4-time Pro Bowler, Jim Thorpe Trophy Winner and the NFL receptions leader as a Running Back in 1985. I do remember when he left the 49ers for the Los Angeles Raiders. He only lasted 1 year there in 1991, but when I recently opened a pack of 1992 Upper Deck, I was shocked. Wait, Roger Craig played for the....Minnesota Vikings? The heck.... Well, yep, apparently, he spent 2 seasons there and started 4 games. So, since I didn't know about this, I had to share it with my readers. 

How was he acquired? On March 17, 1992, the Minnesota Vikings signed Roger Craig to a 2-year contract.

1992 Upper Deck Roger Craig #500

There are some really great players in this pile of cards I'm staring at, and the next one is no different. Andre Johnson will always be remembered as one of the best Wide Receivers of his era. When I actually read up on Johnson, I was stunned to see he only had 70 touchdowns in his career, but then it made sense with all the crappy quarterbacks he played with. Even with the spotty QB play, Johnson is still 11th all-time in career receptions and would make it to the Hall of Fame in 2024. In his 14-year career, Johnson would play 12 years with the Houston Texans and 1 year with the Indianapolis Colts and his final season with the Tennessee Titans. Wait, Colts and Titans? Well, I searched far and wide and I couldn't find an Andre Johnson Titans card, so you will have to suffer for the Colts.

How was he acquired? On March 11, 2015, the Indianapolis Colts signed Andre Johnson to a 3-year $21 million contract.

2015 Panini Prizm Andre Johnson #193

From one Andre to another. Andre Reed was a player that I grew up watching while with the Buffalo Bills. He was always a solid receiver. Reed spent 15 seasons with the Buffalo Bills. He is 15th all-time in touchdown receptions with 87 and 9th all-time in post-season receptions with 85. Andre would also be remembered as the leading receiver on the Buffalo Bills team that played in four consecutive Super Bowls (winning 0). He would eventually be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014. Reed, however, did play for 2 other teams after his Bills tenure. In 2000, he signed a 2-year contract with the Denver Broncos. During training camp that season, he was buried in the depth chart behind Rod Smith, Robert Brooks, Ed McCaffrey and Travis McGriff and asked the Broncos to release him. That's when he was signed by the Washington Redskins after Michael Westbrook tore his ACL to play his final season before retirement. In his only season as a Redskin, he would catch only 10 passes for 103 yards and 1 touchdown.

How was he acquired? On September 12, 2000, the Washington Redskins signed Andre Reed to a 1-year contract. 

2001 Score Andre Reed #211

While the Buffalo Bills are fresh on my mind, one of Andre Reed's former Bills teammates also ended his career on a weird team that many may not remember. Thurman Thomas was the Running Back on those famed Buffalo Bills teams of the 90's. Thomas spent 12 seasons as the Bills Running Back. He was the NFL's MVP in 1991 along with being named NFL Offensive Player of the Year that same season. He was a 5-time Pro Bowler and has his #34 retired by the Bills. Thomas would eventually be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006. After the 1999 season with Buffalo, the Bills released Thomas to clear cap space. Thomas chose to sign with the Miami Dolphins with what would be his final season in the NFL after a knee injury in November cut his season short. Thurman Thomas would sign a 1-day contract on February 27, 2001 to retire as a Buffalo Bill. 

How was he acquired? On March 7, 2000, the Miami Dolphins signed Thurman Thomas to a 3-year $3.5 million contract.

2000 Upper Deck Encore Thurman Thomas #114

When I worked at my office job years ago fresh out of college, word got out that I had an art degree. It was near impossible to get a job in my field, so I did some freelance stuff when I could. There was a guy named Dave who was a former marine that was obsessed with the Oakland Raiders. One day we were at happy hour at Buffalo Wild Wings, and he asked if I would do a stipple drawing of Ken Stabler to hang in his home office. He said he'd pay my tab at Buffalo Wild Wings that night and also give me $250 cash. Uh, yeah! Sign me up. I spent hours on this drawing. Eventually after 3 weeks, it was finished. I was always shy about people checking out my artwork, so I asked him to come pick it up after work at my house. When we got there, he was elated. He loved it so much! I was happy that he was happy and a few months later, Dave would get laid off from that management position he had and I never saw him again. Years later, I was at a large flea market in Ohio and I ran into Dave. He told me that my Ken Stabler artwork hangs in his office downtown at his new job and people ask where he got it all the time. That really made me feel good. 

Anyways, Ken Stabler was a Raiders legend. He led the Raiders to a win in Super Bowl XI, was the NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year in 1974, a 4-time Pro Bowler and a National Champion twice during his time at Alabama. Stabler was also inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016. It's also pretty crazy that he threw more interceptions than touchdowns (194 TD's/222 INT's). When I saw the card for this blog, I didn't remember him playing for that team, but I do remember Stabler as a Houston Oiler and only because I had his 1980 Topps card. In April, I bought a 1983 Topps pack in hopes of pulling a Marcus Allen Rookie Card. Well, I didn't. The best card in my pack ended up being Ken Stabler, which I don't think my brain processed it was him at first. I put the commons in a box and in July when I went to grab that box to put out at our garage sale, I decided while I was sitting and waiting on people to sift through my bargain boxes that I would look at some cards. So, when I got to the Stabler card, I figured I would put it in this blog because I don't remember him being a....New Orleans Saint?

How was he acquired? On August 24, 1982, the New Orleans Saints signed Ken Stabler.

1983 Topps Ken Stabler #118

This player was one of the members of the "Greatest Show on Turf" with the St. Louis Rams. Torry Holt was a 7-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl Champion (XXXIV). Holt was a staple with the Rams. He is 10th in the NFL in receiving yards with 13,382 and 13th in receptions with 920. During his time in St. Louis though, he would be overshadowed at times by Isaac Bruce. He still was considered one of the best of his era though and if you asked a lot of people if he played for any team other than the Rams, they might say no, but they would be wrong. Torry Holt actually played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and also was signed by the New England Patriots. He would only play for the Jaguars though. In his final year in 2009, he caught 51 passes for 722 yards and was held without a touchdown. After being released by Jacksonville, he did sign with the Patriots but would suffer a knee injury and be released before playing in a regular season contest. Pretty wild. So, in the card below, I tried to capture both of those teams with 1 card. Let me know how I did.

How was he acquired? On April 20, 2009, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Torry Holt to a 3-year contract. On April 20, 2010, the New England Patriots signed Torry Holt to a 1-year contract.

2010 Score Torry Holt #138

When I think of Edgerrin James, I think of the Cardinals or the Colts. Edge would play in the NFL for 11 seasons. He won Rookie of the Year in 1999, was a 4-time Pro Bowler and led the NFl in rushing twice (1999, 2000). His 12,246 yards puts him at 11th all-time, and his 80 touchdowns ranks him at 15th. He still holds Colts franchise records for most career rushing yards, best career rushing yards per game average and most seasons with 1,000 yards rushing. In 2009, James' long-time girlfriend Andia Wilson passed away due to leukemia, and this led to his retirement from the NFL so he could focus on raising his children. The team he retired with that season, the Seattle Seahawks. James would be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.

How was he acquired? On August 25, 2009, the Seattle Seahawks signed Edgerrin James to a 1-year contract.

2009 Topps Mayo Edgerrin James #260

I am going to end with an NFL legend. Like, legit. Nicknamed "Johnny U" and "The Golden Arm". Johnny Unitas was someone older people in my family told me about when I was growing up. They also were quick to point out that he was from Pittsburgh. He was even drafted by the Steelers in the 9th round in 1955. The coach at the time (Walt Kiesling) thought Unitas was too dumb to QB and NFL team and was not given any snaps for the Steelers. He was eventually signed by the Baltimore Colts in 1956 after he worked construction in Pittsburgh the season before. Unitas wouldn't look back. During his illustrious 18-year career, Unitas was a Super Bowl champion (V), 3-time NFL Champion ('58, '59, '68), 3-time NFL MVP, NFL Man of the Year, 10-time Pro Bowler, led the NFL in passing and TD's 4 times and a 3-time passing rating leader. So, yeah, shame on you Steelers! Unitas would wrap up his career as a San Diego Charger in 1973 after spending the previous 17 seasons with Baltimore. In that final season, Unitas would look like a shell of himself, with 471 yards passing, 3 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in 4 games where the Chargers would receive 3 losses. Looks like Johnny U definitely knew when to hang them up. After his retirement, he spent some time as a color commentator and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979. Units would pass away from a heart attack on September 11, 2002. RIP.

How was he acquired? On January 22, 1973, the Baltimore Colts traded Johnny Unitas to the San Diego Chargers for future considerations (which ended up being a cash payment of $150,000).

1973 Topps Johnny Unitas #455 (in Colts uniform - sorry I don't have the 1974)

Well, that's all I got for this installment. Good luck to my best buddy tomorrow. I hope you win your first and possibly only championship of your life. I'm very proud of you and love you very much! If you ever read this that is.

If you made it this far, thanks. for. reading.

He played there? Hockey Edition: Part 4

Been a while. Hopefully my readers haven't bailed on me!

LIFE UPDATE:

Sorry for the big gap in posts. My youngest son has been playing tackle football for his school. It's been a lot for us as a family because it's 5 days a week and my oldest son still has his guitar lessons and is now in Cub Scouts. Due to my sons' activities, I haven't really had time for cards. I also had purged a lot of cool stuff on eBay and will probably keep doing so. I wish I had more time for cards, but reality has been setting in and with my youngest being active in baseball, football, soccer and possibly lacrosse in the coming months, I think I might just sell off most of my cards. I do want to keep blogging though, so when I can, I'll try to get on here and post. On to the next installment of, "He played there? Hockey Edition."

In the 90's this guy was a household name. He dated an actress, a teenage tennis star and even was signed by Nike. He was the first guy I remember wearing white skates (besides the stories I heard when I was little about the California Golden Seals). You guessed it, Sergei Fedorov. When I was in middle school, I wanted those darn white Nike skates so bad. It wasn't until I played in the beer leagues that I acquired a pair. One night my brother and I ventured into Play It Again Sports and I found a brand-new pair of them in my size for $40. I have no idea who turned them in but thank you. I skated those things for 4 years. After I realized how heavy they were, I ditched them for the sexier, newer Bauer skates. Now, I realize that I should have just hung on to those. In used condition, they're basically worth a mint. 

Fedorov was a superstar. He was one of the players who defected from the Soviet Union in order to pursue his NHL career. Most of you know him as a Detroit Red Wing. He was elite and helped the Red Wings to win 3 Stanley Cups during is 13 seasons there. Sergei was even a Hart Trophy Winner during his time there as the NHL's most valuable player. The guy could do it all. He played center, wing and even defense occasionally. In the 2003 offseason, Fedorov signed with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks after a contract dispute with Detroit. Fedorov would only play for Anaehim for 85 games before being dealt to the Columbus Blue Jackets along with a 5th Round Draft Pick for Tyler Wright and Francois Beauchemin. In Columbus, Fedorov's play would decline. His best season there was his first (2005/06) where he would play 62 games and put up 43 points. During the trade deadline, Columbus would deal Fedorov to the Washington Capitals where he would play 70 games total from 2007-2009 before heading back to his native Russia to complete his career in the KHL playing for Metallurg Magnitogorsk from 2009-2012. Fedorov would play in 1,248 games in his career and score 483 goals, 696 assists for 1,179 points.  Also, after retirement, Fedorov would coach in the KHL for CSKA Moscow from 2021-2024. In 2015, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

How was he acquired? February 26, 2008 the Columbus Blue Jackets traded Sergei Fedorov to the Washington Capitals for defenseman Theo Ruth. 

2008/09 Upper Deck MVP Sergei Fedorov #297

When I was in college, I had broken up with my longtime girlfriend. Eventually, I started talking to another girl whose dad was a huge hockey fan. Any time I was at their house, her dad would take me down to their basement to show me all of his hockey memorabilia. Some of the plastic and glass cups he had from the 80's and 90's were so cool. I gravitated towards this bunch of Nordiques glasses he had. There were several of Marian and Peter Stastny. One day, he and I were down in the basement talking and he noticed I was checking out the glasses, and he said, "Why don't you take a Marian and Peter glass home, I have 4 or 5 of each." I didn't hesitate and put those bad boys in my truck so fast. Eventually the girl and I wouldn't hang out anymore, but I missed her dad. He was cool! In 2012, I saw him at a restaurant with his wife, and I had the waitress send him a beer on me. Before he left, he stopped by my table and gave me a hug and chatted with me and who would eventually be my wife for a few minutes. What an awesome guy.  

Peter Stastny was a legend. Like Fedorov, Stastny and his brother Anton would defect from Czechoslovakia for the NHL. In his first season in the NHL with the Quebec Nordiques, Stastny would win the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year by posting 39 goals and 70 assists (which would set history as a rookie record). Peter was so good that he would post 6 consecutive 100-point seasons. In 1981, Stastny's brother Marian would join his 2 brothers, and all 3 Stastny's brothers were playing for the Nordiques. Peter would play with his 3 brothers for 4 seasons before Marian left to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Eventually, Peter would be traded from the Nordiques. On March 6, 1990, Stastny was dealt to the New Jersey Devils for defenseman Craig Wolanin and future considerations who would turn into Randy Velischeck. After 3 and a 1/2 seasons with the Devils, Peter Stastny would sign with the St. Louis Blues. Stastny's Blues tenure was derailed by knee injuries. After 23 games in 2 seasons, Stastny would retire. His 2 sons, Yan and Paul have both played in the NHL. Stastny was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1998.

How was he acquired? March 9, 1994, the St. Louis Blues signed Peter Stastny to a 2-year contract. 

1994/95 Upper Deck Electric Ice Peter Stastny #60

Growing up, I never thought I would see the day where Ray Bourque and Brian Leetch played for any team other than Boston and New York, but the NHL is a tricky devil sometimes. This past NHL season saw Matthew Schaefer tie a 25-year-old record by scoring 23 goals as a rookie. The guy he shares that record with, well, none other than Brian Leetch. Leetch was a staple for the New York Rangers in the 90's and early 00's. With the Rangers, Leetch would win 2 Norris Trophies as the NHL's Top Defenseman, he would win a Stanly Cup in 1994 and hold 12 New York Rangers defenseman records. It's crazy to think with such a resume as Brian Leetch has that he would ever leave the organization. However, that's exactly what happened in 2004. After a down year in 2003/04, the New York Rangers would trade Leetch to the Maple Leafs. Leetch played only 15 games for the Maple Leafs. After a lockout of the 2004/05 season, his contract with the Leafs would end and he would suit up for one final season in 2005/06 with the Boston Bruins. He would skate 61 games for the Bruins, put up 5 goals and 27 assists for 32 points before calling it a career. 

How was he acquired? March 3, 2004, the New York Rangers traded Brian Leetch and a conditional 4th Round Draft Pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs for defenseman Maxim Kondratiev, forward Jarkko Immonen, a 2004 1st Round Draft Pick (Kris Chucko - selected by the Calgary Flames after a trade) and a 2005 2nd Round Draft Pick. 

2003/04 Topps Traded Brian Leetch #TT30

There have been so many former St. Louis Blues and Pittsburgh Penguins in these posts. This next one is no different. The trade of this player would bring in a player that would set up Brett Hull for many goals. Bernie Federko was a St. Louis Blues legend. In 1976, the Blues would select Federko 7th overall in the NHL Draft. Federko would play for St. Louis for 13 years. During his tenure with the Blues, he would be named for 2 All-Star games (1980 and 1981) and also set 6 Blues records. Federko was always a fan favorite in St. Louis and even had his number 24 retired there in 1991. Federko was eventually inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002, but before that, Bernie would play one last season with the Detroit Red Wings. Topps didn't have time to photograph him with his new team, so he received the air brush treatment with his first card during his season with Detroit (Pro Set would add him to their 1990/91 set after Bernie had retired). The guy who the Blues received from the Federko trade? None other than Adam Oates, who would form the Hull & Oates line and shoot Brett Hull into superstardom. So, it appears the trade definitely worked out for the Blues.

How was he acquired? June 15, 1989, the St. Louis Blues traded Bernie Federko and forward Tony McKegney to the Detroit Red Wings for forwards Adam Oates and Paul MacLean.

1989/90 Topps Bernie Federko #107

This next one still burns. I still remember the day the Penguins acquired him. My brother lost his ever-loving mind. The day he was traded here to Pittsburgh, I had just gotten home from my weekly beer league hockey game and looked at my phone to see 2 missed calls from my brother. So, I showered and then called him back and my brother thought for sure we were winning the Stanley Cup after acquiring him. Sadly, it didn't really work out for the Pens and Jarome Iginla. I had previously talked about Jarome Iginla here. 

How was he acquired? The Calgary Flames traded Jarome Iginla to the Pittsburgh Penguins for forwards Kenny Agostino, Ben Hanowski and a 2013 1st Round Draft Pick which would be Morgan Klimchuk.

2013/14 Score Gold Jarome Iginla #408

From one Pittsburgh Penguin to another (sorta) Pittsburgh Penguin...well, former General Manager that is. When I was a kid, my cousin worked as an editor for the Philadelphia Flyers newsletter. My brother and I would receive it in the mail and also my cousin would send us signed goodies from whatever Flyer we wanted an autograph from. One time, I asked her to get me an autograph from Ron Hextall. I was a forward on my hockey teams I played for then, but when I would play with the neighborhood kids, I would strap on the goalie pads and one of the goalies I admired was Ronny Hextall. My cousin eventually came through, and she sent me a signed 1991/92 Score Ron Hextall card that was even personalized to me with To: Bryan on the front. That card was special to me. One summer morning my brother and I were arguing about something in the hallway. My brother ran at me and tackled me to the ground, and I hit my elbow on the wall and it hurt. With me being on the ground, my brother ran into my room and locked the door. A minute later he came out and he had my Ron Hextall autograph in his hands. I begged and pleaded for him just to put it back in my room, but he took the card in his palm and crumpled it. I was so mad I blacked out and punched everything in front of me, eventually landing a few good ones on my brother before my mom finally broke it up. However, the damage had been done. I never got to ask for another autograph from my cousin because Hextall was traded a week later to Quebec. It's definitely a traumatic memory for me as a kid. My brother and I certainly never got along until later, but we had some brutal arguments when we were growing up. 

Hextall was the son of former NHL players Bryan Hextall who also played for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 70's. Ron was a legend for the Philadelphia Flyers. He wouldn't shy away from a fight, and he even was the first goalie to ever score a goal in the regular season and also in playoffs. In his rookie season, he would win 37 games and win the Vezina Trophy as the most outstanding goalie. During his career, he would win a Vezina and a Conn Smythe Trophy. His only Stanly Cup would come as an Assistant General Manager with the Los Angeles Kings in 2012. Also, another notable fact about him is that he was included in the historic trade that brought Eric Lindros to Philadelphia.

How was he acquired? June 30, 1992, the Philadelphia Flyers sent Ron Hextall, Peter Forsberg, Mike Ricci, Steve Duchesne, Kerry Huffman, Chris Simon, $15 million in cash, a 1993 1st Round Draft Pick (Jocelyn Thibault) and a 1994 1st Round Draft Pick (Nolan Baumgartner) and future considerations to the Quebec Nordiques for forward Eric Lindros.

1992/93 Upper Deck Ron Hextall #523

When you've played for 9 teams in your career, it may be hard to keep track of what teams a player has suited up for. Insert defenseman Paul Coffey. How many teams can you name that he's been a part of? Penguins, Flyers, Oilers, Kings, Red Wings...sure. What about Boston Bruins? Check. Carolina Hurricanes? Check. Hartford Whalers? Check. Chicago Blackhawks....uhhhh....check? The 4-time Stanley Cup Champion certainly has had to pack his suitcase a few times, and I remembered a lot of the teams he played for, but the 2 I didn't remember were the Blackhawks and Bruins. Coffey was one of the best defensemen of all time. He won the Norris Trophy 3 times, the Stanley Cup 4 times, played in 14 All-Star games and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004. He owns countless records and is 2nd All-Time in defenseman goals, assists, and points.

1998/99 Upper Deck Paul Coffey #66

Time for another former Penguin I suppose. From one to the next! Any time the Penguins brought in a proven veteran scorer, it would fire my family up. When the brought in Luc Robitaille, it was no different. We were all so excited to see him suit up with Jagr, Francis, and Larry Murphy. It was something to get excited about. What I didn't see happening was Tomas Sandstrom outscoring Robitaille the season he played for Pittsburgh, but it happened. Robitaille was a Los Angeles Kings staple when I was growing up. He is one of the lowest drafted players to record 1,000 points in their career (9th Round Draft Pick - 171st overall in 1984). In his first season, Robitaille won the Calder Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the Year beating out Ron Hextall for the award. He would go on to score more than 40 goals in each of his first 8 NHL seasons and cemented himself as one of the greatest Left Wings to ever play in the NHL. In 1,431 games with the Kings, Penguins, Rangers, and Red Wings, Luc posted 668 goals, 726 assists for 1,394 points. However, in the lockout shortened season in 1994, he would post 42 of those points (23 goals, 19 assists) with my hometown Penguins. Robitaille was an 8-time All-Star, Stanley Cup Champion (with Detroit in 2002 and 2 as an executive with the Kings in 2012 and 2014) and would be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009.

How was he acquired? July 29, 1994, the Los Angeles Kings traded Luc Robitaille to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Rick Tocchet and a 1995 2nd Round Draft Pick (Pavel Rosa).

1994/95 Leaf Limited Luc Robitaille #88

If you hear the nickname "The Professor", you might think of the street baller. Before the streetballer, there was Igor Larionov. He is considered one of the best Russian players ever. Drafted in the 1985 NHL Draft, however, Soviet authorities prevented him from actually playing in the NHL. After 8 years of being outspoken over the NHL snub, he was finally allowed to join the team that drafted him, the Vancouver Canucks. Larionov would play for Vancouver for 3 seasons before being left unprotected in the 1992 NHL Waiver Draft where he would be claimed by the San Jose Sharks. From 1993-mid 1996 Larionov would then be traded to the Detroit Red Wings. This is when his career took off as he was one of the "Russian Five" for Detroit. With the Red Wings, Igor would win Stanley Cups in 1997, 1998, and 2002. In 2003, Larionov would play in his last season in the NHL by suiting up for the New Jersey Devils in 2003. Igor Larionov was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2008. 

How was he acquired? Igor Larionov was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft in Round 11 at 214th overall.

1990/91 Bowman Igor Larionov RC #63

I'm capping this series off with the #1 overall selection in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. It's Joe Thornton. "Jumbo Joe" spent most of his career with the Boston Bruins and San Jose Sharks. He's 14th all-time in career points with 1,539. Thornton is a 6-time All-Star, Hart Trophy and Art Ross Trophy winner and was even a NHL 2K cover athlete. He will go down as one of the best playmakers to ever play the game. His #19 was retired by the San Jose Sharks in 2024. However, he also played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and retired as a Florida Panther. Read that again...as a Florida Panther. I do remember this, but a few people I know didn't. In Jumbo's only season in Florida, he played in 34 games, scored 5 goals and had 5 assists. Shortly after his retirement, Lanny McDonald came calling and Joe Thornton was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2025. 

How was he acquired? On August 13, 2021, the Florida Panthers signed Joe Thornton to a 1-year contract.

2021/22 OPC Platinum Sunset Joe Thornton #176

That's a wrap for hockey. If you have been reading these, thank you so much! Until the next time...

Can’t take it with you

My wife’s grandfather passed away in September at the age of 95. It was a sad time, but we got through it by recalling memories and supporting each other. I was also proud of my oldest son who insisted on going to the funeral because he wanted to say goodbye. He’s a smart kid and he understood what was happening. When my great grandmother passed away when I was 11, I don’t even think I was ready for something like that. My son handled it better than I did back in 1994 and at the time of my wife's grandfather's passing, my son was only 7. Of course, after a death in the family there is usually a reading of a will. Well, that is where things started getting sticky with my mother-in-law and my wife’s aunt. I just want to stay out of it. One night my wife was on the phone with her mom (on speakerphone in our bedroom) and I guess my wife’s grandfather split things so terribly that it’s starting a divide between my mother-in-law and her aunt. It’s a messy situation. My oldest son heard part of the conversation and if you didn’t know, my son is ridiculously smart. He’s reading at a 6th grade level in 2nd grade and has reading and math scores in those nationwide tests in the 97th and 99th percentile for kids his age. Well, he is picking up what is happening between his grandma and my wife’s aunt and he asked me, “Daddy, what will you leave me when you die?” This is a question I had thought about many times. Do my kids want all these cards I have compiled for years? If someone dumped a collection of stuff that I didn’t have much interest in on me after they passed, I might be a little upset. So, I simply asked him, “I will leave you all my cool cards in my office. Wouldn’t that be cool?” He looked at me confused and said, “No daddy, they would remind me of you and if I looked at them, I would get sad. I wouldn’t want any of them.” 

I know my son is only 8, but I really believe he wouldn’t want any of them, even when he's older. So, I said, “What if I left you my posters, art, guitars and electronics?” He smiled and I knew that he was trying to be nice about the cards. He really doesn’t want anything to do with them. That night I tossed and turned in bed. Eventually, I just got up out of bed and went down to my office. I looked over my 2 PC boxes and really went through the cards; determined to narrow these PC boxes to just 1. After it was said and done, I had One-Touches and top loaders lining my small computer desk (see below.) I spent the next afternoon scanning and listing cards because I can’t take this stuff with me. I sure as heck don’t want to be a burden on my sons or my wife. So, since November I have sold off a bunch of my collection. Also, I have been limiting the cards coming in which is helping cut down the pure volume of cards that I own. 

Pile of unnecessary, but cool 

This photo was just the beginning.

Am I leaving the hobby? I have to think about that one, but for now, no. I'm certainly not having much fun like I had previously. I've been averaging around 2-3 cards purchased per month since November and that stuff is mostly for sets I'm working on. I've moved out probably close to 1,500 cards since that time, with a huge lot scheduled to go out to a friend of mine in May. Collecting cards, sorting, scanning, it all used to be something that I could come down into my office for some "me" time and relieve any stress I may have had. I don't really get that from my collection anymore. Maybe it was my son's disinterest, or maybe this has been something that has built up over time. All I know is when I look at these boxes, I don't get happy, I get stressed, angry and there are days when I just plain ignore it. Also, any time I'm on social media I see videos of guys looking up comps on their phones to argue on price, breakers hitting multiple of the chase cards at a time with total outrage and backlash in the comments, teenage kids carrying around card cases at shows with cards worth 5 figures, people telling everyone to "block this guy" because he scammed them or people complaining about what grade their card got. It's exhausting. There are barely any posts that I see that are happy that revolve around cards unless I'm reading someone's blog posts and even then, some are dipping into the negative factor to collecting and I get it. That's what also sucks. My kids are smart to have no interest in this stuff. Like I have said previously in my blog, I got into this hobby because it helped me learn to read. I have happy memories of those times. They outweigh the current memories of card collecting. 

Am I done blogging? HELL NO. I have a huge box of stuff labeled "Blog Stuff" that I can blog about for a while. Occasionally, I don't mind picking up something I feel is blogworthy and I'm also working on a few sets (1989 Topps and 1994 Topps Special Effects Football), so I can always throw a few posts about progress and whatnot. Also, I have a ton of TTM stuff to post about as I have received some responses, so stay tuned.

As always, thanks for reading.