Gary Carter: 1954-2012

"The Kid" Gary Carter passed away today at the age of 57. I say it out loud and am still shaking my head. I feel as though a part of my youth has left me, far too soon.

I had heard that he'd been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour last May. My heart sank - a lot. My gut just told me that as much as he would battle, it wasn't so much an 'if'......but 'when'.

That 'when' was today.....and it hit me harder than I expected.

I was a hockey card guy growing up in the Prairie province of Alberta, Canada, but every summer I would turn my allegiance to baseball and always desirable O-Pee-Chee packs. I remember loving the Expos cards because of the 'different colors'. The Blue, Red, White (and green on those 1981 beauties) just popped in comparison to any other cards in the set.

But it wasn't until 1983 that I found the card that would become one of my all-time favorites.


The blue uniform, the sprint from behind home plate, the perfect timing of the photographer as Gary pulls his mask off, the catcher's mitt, the chest protector, the emotion on Carter's face, the head shot inset, the batting helmet with no ear flaps, the curly hair and that smile.

Gary Carter instantly became 'my guy'.

I loved watching him play. I loved the enjoyment he exuded combined with the competitive streak that drove him.

I loved how he led those early 80's Expo teams (which had some pretty amazing players at his side).

But most of all, I loved hearing Gary Carter talk. He spoke with such enthusiasm for the game of baseball and with such a feeling of honesty when it came to his love and success in the sport.

His speech from 2003 when he was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame is just so simple, but I can't help but see in my mind - vividly - the picture he paints with his words.


I was thrilled in 1986 when he won his World Series championship and I can still visualize his 10th inning hit that led off the most amazing turn of events I've ever witnessed in sport.

As much as I wanted to see him win a ring with the Expos, just seeing him play a huge role in that championship run put a huge smile on my face.

But as much as '86 is a lasting memory for all Gary Carter fans, to me the moment that resonates most was his final game....his final at bat.

Gary returned to the Expos in 1992 to play his final major league season. In a scoreless game against the Chicago Cubs in September that year, Gary came up to bat in the seventh inning and gave the home crowd one last hurrah.

*added bonus - Harry Caray's call. Perfect.


"I saw (Cubs outfielder) Andre (Dawson) going back on the ball and I said to myself, 'Please don't catch it," Carter said at the time. "Then, when it got by him, it was like, 'Wow! Awesome!' What a great way to finish."

And today.....like that, he's gone. As much as I am sad and send my condolences to Gary's family, I can't help but celebrate all the great memories he has given me. The video highlights, interviews and baseball cards will forever bring a smile to my face.

OPINION: HOCKEY BLOGS

I like them. Simple as that.

I enjoy reading about other people's collections and 'hobby-goings-ons' and I also like seeing some cool pics from various collections out there.

I enjoy blogs that don't linger for months (I understand that sometimes people grow weary or bored with their blog......which is fine. But don't become a slave to the blog and feel obligated to post).

I like well thought out posts. It can be about anything, but I like the ones where the person writing it WANTS to write about it as opposed to writing for the sake of an audience.

While I really enjoy the blogs on my daily list of travels, I'm always excited when another one joins the club.

And so with that, I'd like to make you all aware of another hockey blog to test drive.

Kev...Kaberle...Cards

A Tomas Kaberle collector, Kev has finally dived into the world of blogging. And a heads up.....he starts things off with a doozy.

I for one am looking forward to his ramblings and words and such. Best of luck to you with your new hobby branch.

Check it out if you get a chance.


Are there any blogs out there that are 'must reads' for you on a regular basis?
Besides mine............... :)

1 vs. 100 - 22....The Second Time Around

Just one card from the massive bubble mailer barrage is headed to the '1 vs. 100' project, but this one gives me some long overdue closure.

Over a year ago, I made a trade for a card /22 which at the time would have been one of the more rare cards in my project.

I was really excited to work out a deal and even more stoked when the envelope hit my mailbox.

07/08 Upper Deck SP Game Used
#SN-DC Dino Ciccarelli /22

The excitement quickly turned to disappointment and frustration as I noticed the card had a couple of creases by the number die-cut (you can see one of them in the upper left corner of the '22').

Immediately I contacted the trader who indicated he didn't know about the creasing. Seeing it in person....it's pretty tough to miss.

I wanted no part of adding this card to my pc and so I asked for compensation. Reluctantly, he agreed.

The card still sits in my trade box to this day. A blunt reminder of a trade gone sour. Note to everyone - myself included....make sure you know the condition of your cards before you purchase them or before you send them off. Don't develop a reputation for sending 'less than advertised' products.

Thankfully, the card that plopped out of one of the numerous bubble envelopes I received Monday put that feeling to rest - finally.

2006/07 Upper Deck The Cup
Honorable Numbers
#HNTW 'Tiger' Williams /22

First, let me just say. this card is 100 times better than the Ciccarelli. I am actually happy that Dino arrived creased.

To land a Tiger Williams piece for my project is fantastic. A hard signed piece with a patch (sadly not from a Leafs jersey....but UD says it's from an official game) puts this card high up on the list of faves in this project.

While it took quite a few months to knock this one off the list, it can finally be put in its place amongst the other numbers. One closer to completion.

82 out of 100 (82%)

LINDEN CARD(s) OF THE WEEK - Big Mailday....... Like REALLY BIG!

It hasn't happened much in the past. In fact, I can only remember one other time when I've arrived home to find the mailbox literally overflowing with bubble mailers.

I recognized a lot of the return addresses so I knew right away some of the cards I had received. I couldn't wait to open the packages.

So without further ado - let's get to some of the goods.


This post will focus on the Trevor Linden cards I received. No less than seven big boys to scratch of the list - and a couple of them have been on it for quite some time.

2003/04 Upper Deck
#432 UD Exclusive /50

I'm not wasting any time. I'm getting right to the good stuff. It was shortly after the holiday season when I decided to do some updating of both my wantlist as well as my database for who has what 1/1's.

I contacted the Linden collectors that I've known (and e-mail with) for quite some time to double check their lists, but I also threw out some e-mails to a couple of Linden collectors that I haven't touched base with for a couple years.

It was great to hear from them - and it made me appreciate the simple connection we have when it comes to our similar player collecting habits.

In one instance, I was not only able to get the 1/1 information I was looking for, but the opportunity to make a trade for some cards on my list came about. This was like icing on the cake.

This UD Exclusive /50 was just one of 5 cards I received in my end of the trade. An outstanding addition (as you just don't see these cards out and about anymore).

2003/04 Upper Deck
#432 Canadian Exclusive /50

What's better than one card from 2003? How about two. What made this transaction even more special was that a couple of cards were pulled from his personal collection to trade over to me. Something that I truly appreciate.

I never like to ask collectors to trade cards that are in a person's personal collection, but when he offered me the opportunity, I couldn't help but jump. I hope the cards he received in return more than compensate the kind gesture.

2010/11 Panini Playoff Contenders
#8 Draft Tandems Green /50

Another one in the list of 'cards that don't scan so good'. But make no mistake, this card is stunning in person. In pristine condition, this card has a flawless mirror-like surface.

Numbered to just 50, this card has been a tough one to track down (I balked at a couple copies when they were originally released). Really happy to land this one.

2010/11 Panini Playoff Contenders
#103 Playoff Tickets /100

What might seem as a simple parallel /100 is anything but.

Another in the 'bad scan' category, this card was yet another that wasn't on the original trade list, but rather pulled from the personal collection.

It turns this not overly rare card into one that in ultra unique.

Without question, one that will have a special place in the collection.

Now that's 4 out of the 5 I received in this trade. I'll leave the fifth 'til the end (because it gave me a good laugh when I though about its significance).

2011/12 Panini Limited
#9 Game Pucks Prime /5

I mentioned about a week ago that I had picked up this beauty off of ebay. Well, it arrived today. And boy does it ever look stunning.

Hard signed, nice big puck piece with a little bit of the Canucks logo, superb action shot. What more can you ask for.

2011/12 In The Game
Ultimate Memorabilia 11th Edition
Base /63

This was the fifth card in the big trade I was speaking of earlier. What makes it funny is that it's the most common card Trevor has in the product and yet it's the last card to come in.

That's right, I'm finished with UM11 (other than 1/1's). I never really thought I'd accomplish this goal so quickly (the product was released in mid-November).

10 different cards ranging in production numbers of 63 all the way down to just 9 copies. Add to that a couple of redemption cards and the ever popular 1/1's and this put to bed one of the most ostentatious product releases as it pertains to Trevor Linden ever.

Actually, there is one more card from that list that was still outstanding. Thankfully, the final bubble envelope of the day put that to an abrupt end.

2011/12 In The Game
Ultimate Memorabilia 11th Edition
Hot Patch /9

This card is hot - literally. Not in the 'I stole it' realm (although I picked it up for a nice low price). I mean that this card could only be found in UM11 'Hot Packs'.

I've seen 3 copies of this card prior to picking up mine and I wasn't sure I'd ever come across one. In addition to the Hot Patch cards being highly collectible, the UM11 product has just dried up considerably on the secondary market. Not much has been busted and put up for grabs.

Well, if you stuck with me throughout, I appreciate it. And I also need to give a shout out to James who was hugely responsible for the bulk of this post.

The few e-mails we ping-ponged back and forth recently gave me a chance to get to know him just a little better. He shares the same enjoyment, passion and camaraderie towards his collection as I do. And being able to share a little bit of that with one another really made this trade a special one.

It makes me appreciate all of the great collecting relationships I have developed over the years. It's without a question one of the most important aspects of the hobby to me these days.

It makes me proud of my collection and my hobby.

SCRIBBLES & SCRIBES - Mistaken Identity?

It never ceases to amaze me. The level of laziness, sloppy work, lack of caring or all of the them combined when it comes to some of (actually....make that MOST OF) the signed hockey cards out on the market.

This card was briefly in my grasps (as I moved it on to a player collector) and the sight of his signature inspired this post.

Alexandre Burrows
SCRIBBLE

Now, upon initial viewing, you might say "Hey, I've seen worse". And you'd be right.....if his name was Mason Raymond! This is Alex Burrows' autograph. Initials - A.B.

I guess there's a bit of fun it trying to decipher the reasoning of these scribbles out there, but that's not what an autograph should be about.

Drayson Bowman
SCRIBE

Now on the other hand, here's a signature that offers up zero guessing in determining the penstrokes.

With effort and purpose, Drayson has laid down a great looking autograph. You'd immediately think that he's somehow related to the legendary Scotty Bowman.

But no......they are not.

The looping D and B really give off a cool look. And the Bowman is very controlled and legible.

Thanks Drayson. You prospects take note.

OPINION: MURPHY'S LAW

I have encountered numerous instances of Murphy's Law at the workplace, at home and when it comes to my hockey card hobby.

Have you ever called somebody in, complaining that your computer doesn't work....only to have it run like a fine engine when they arrive?

Have you ever noticed that the people who are late to a movie tend to want to sit it the back of the theatre?

Have you ever "called in sick" to work and then legitimately get the flu the next week?

Well, today at the local card show, I got smacked with one of Murphy's little laws.

And I should have seen it coming.

Friday around suppertime, I was doing a little ebay surfing and came across an auction for a Trevor Linden card. A parallel from the new Panini Limited release.

I've been pretty lazy with pursuing cards from this set as most of them are going to pop up down the road (and probably for a lot less than they're going for now). But I noticed a Buy It Now auction for a card numbered /49 with what I felt was a pretty good price.

Why was it a good price? Well, another auction for the same parallel was just ending and the final price finished higher than the new BIN auction.

So a couple of clicks later and I purchased it. A nice looking Capitals card, paralleled to just 49 copies. For $7, I thought it was a great buy.

Fast forward to today. I made my way over to the local card show, and was on the hunt for new Linden cards.

Can you see where I'm going with this one?

Now, a lot of the dealers know that I collect Linden, so they often pull cards out to show me before I even ask.

I made it to one table and the seller reaches for his new stack of Limited Ruby cards.....numbered to 49.

Sure enough....

2011/12 Panini Limited
Legends (Capitals)
#28 Ruby Spotlight /49

He pulls out the exact card I just bought the night before. I shook my head and laughed. Of course, I asked what his asking price was on the card.

"Three bucks".

Of course it was. He couldn't have said $15 to make me feel good about my ebay purchase.

So I forked over some change and walked out with what will soon be a double for my Linden collection.

If there's any consolation....I know I'll be able to recoup most (if not all) of my money in selling/trading this copy.

So...lesson learned. If it's not a supremely rare card, don't go buying it the night before you go to a card show.

How I hate Murphy sometimes. :)

TO THE BIKE SPOKES!!! - Roman Hamrlik

Sometimes hockey cards give you a glimpse of your favorite players off the ice. Case in point...

Paul Kariya

Doug Gilmour

Ouch. Most times.....that's not a good idea.

Here's another one that creates the argument "Should I stop collecting?"

1996/97 Upper Deck Be A Player
#133 Roman Hamrlik

Roman Hamrlik.....or should I say Rico Suave. What is this card all about?

Do I really need to know that he towel dries his hair? Do I need to know that he likes to pout his lips? Or maybe he just bit his tongue. And do I need to know that he likes to stare blankly into camera lenses?

If I were a mind reader, I'd say he's thinking "Concentrate....... concentrate..... look at my nice white towel."

How this became a hockey card is beyond me. It makes me appreciate the other cards in the set where the jersey logos have been completely airbrushed off. They actually look nice now.

Oh, by the way, Rico prefers heavy metal music....particularly Metallica. I'm sure they're happy to hear that.

Rico, for your absolute non-hockey pic, this is an easy trip....


PPPPPPPFFFFFFFTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!

TO THE BIKE SPOKES!!!!!!!

(actually, this might just bypass the binder and go straight in the trash. It's one creepy looking picture)


The real Rico Suave. Separated at birth?