30 in 30 - The List Is Complete

After many hours of hunting, searching, begging and the occasional fist pump, my list of 30 sports documentaries is complete.

The six remaining movies are coming from various sources and with some help from a few friends.  Thanks to them for helping me build this list.

The final six docs include...

Seve: The Legend.  This is one I'm very excited about.  Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros was one of my faves growing up.  I learned of him during the downside of his career and didn't fully appreciate what he brought to the game.  In later years, I realized just how creative and unique he was.  He courageously battled brain cancer for three years but sadly did not win his fight.  He was 54 when he died in 2011.

This documentary celebrates his life and his career.  Here's a snipit...

His character and enthusiasm are sorely missed in the game today.

Mantle.  Done by HBO.  Need I say more?

This is an older doc (2005) so it might not have the production value that their current titles have, but I think the subject matter might make up for it.  Mickey Mantle is, to a generation of fans, THE guy.  

Never fully healthy during his 18-year career, he still managed to belt out 536 home runs.  He and Roger Maris captivated the baseball world with their chase to 61 (by the way.....that's a good movie too).

The History of the Boston Bruins.  Produced in 2009 by the NHL, this looks to have everything crammed into 90 minutes.  When I see interviews by Phil Esposito, Ray Bourque, Cam Neely, Derek Sanderson, Brad Park and footage of Orr, Cheevers, Cherry just to name a few - I get excited.

Add to that, the guy who does the voiceover (Gord Marriott) is somebody I've worked with in the past.  You guys in Canada will recognize his voice from the 'Oil Change' series.

I stumbled upon it on youtube and am excited to see this.

Fire On The Track: The Steve Prefontaine Story.  I don't know what it is about this guy, but I am always interested when I see something about him.  There have been a couple "made for TV" movies done about Pre and this doc was a must for the list when I found it.

Here's one that is coming out of left field for me (and also shows my lack of knowledge when it comes to soccer).  Sir Bobby Charlton: Football Icon is a biography.  That's all I know.  But it's done by the BBC and the first minute of the doc drew me in completely.  Really excited to learn something about a person I've never heard of.....where so many talk so highly of him.

Disposable Heroes: The Blood, Guts and Tears Side of Football is a doc from the 1980's and shows the side of the game that few see - what happens to our heroes after their playing days.  The picture drawn here isn't too pretty.  Permanent injuries, disabilities, financial difficulties and emotional pain follow many off the field.

I'll be interested to see how this aspect of the football world is portrayed (as the doc is almost 30 years old) in comparison to today.

Now.  That's 30.  But I've decided to add a couple "bench warmers" to the list just in case one of these 30 docs falls through the cracks and I'm unable to secure a copy during October.  They include:

Mario Lemieux: The Best Ever (pretty self-explanatory)

A Football Life: Tom Landry (there's nobody like him out there these days)

Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait (a soccer star....but I only remember him for his final act on the pitch)

And with that - I'm ready to rock.

My next task will be to create a calendar indicating which docs I will watch on what day.  I will also double-check the availability of each doc since the goal is to watch one a day for 30 days.

After watching each doc, I plan on doing a write-up.  Giving you my overall thoughts and a link (if applicable) should you want to check it out yourself.

Wish me luck.  Should be a ton of fun.

'30 in 30' - LIST OF MOVIES

1. Hoop Dreams

2. Murderball

3. The Endless Summer

4. Pumping Iron

5. Undefeated

6. Michael Jordan: To The Max

7. Bobby Fischer Against The World

8. Jim Brown: All American

9. Tyson

10. Knuckleball

11. Magic and Bird: A Courtship Of Rivals

12. Touching The Void

13. The Curious Case Of Curt Flood

14. The Last Gladiators

15. Sonicsgate: Requiem For A Team

16. Never Say Die: The Story of the New York Islanders

17. The Game Of Their Lives

18. More Than A Game

19. Fire In Babylon

20. The Dream Team

21. TT3D: Closer To The Edge

22. Deep Water

23. King Of The Hill

24. Inside NFL Films: The Idol Makers

25. Seve: The Legend

26. Mantle

27. The History of the Boston Bruins

28. Fire on the Track: The Steve Prefontaine Story

29. Sir Bobby Charlton: Football Icon

30. Disposable Heroes

"ON THE BENCH"

Mario Lemieux: The Best Ever

A Football Life: Tom Landry

Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait

OUTSIDE THE BOX - Creative Choices

"Collecting cards is just too expensive these days".  "Card producers have priced me right out of the hobby".  "There's nothing out there these days that excites me".

Sadly, the number of disgruntled collectors seems to grow with every passing year.  It could be the resistance to an ever-evolving hobby, the disinterest in what "used to be" or maybe it's just boredom with the routine that collecting can become.

Whatever it may be, I think that there's always a benefit and excitement in creativity.  Uniqueness in a set build can be something that generates drive and interest in pursuing that next card.

And by creativity........I mean from the collector - not the card companies.

Case in point - my 'Raise The Cup' project.

When I started collecting cards showcasing players holding the Stanley Cup over their head, it was more out of curiosity.  A simple comment by a reader had me search out some singles.  1 became 3, 3 became 30 and today my collection sits just under the 100 card mark.

And it's been one of the more fun projects to build.

I never know when I might find a new addition, I don't go out with wild purpose and deep pockets in search of as many as I can find.  It's been a nice, casual pc build with a huge emphasis on fun.

And what's nicer - it's not costing me an arm and a leg.  In fact, most cards have been obtained for mere pennies (with a few given to me as gifts).


So where am I going with all this?

Well, the other day I was spinning through the card blogging world and dropped in on one of my favorite blogs.  Bob Lemke's Blog.  Consisting of some great looking customs paying homage to a fantastic vintage era, amazing stories of players or events that just wouldn't get face time anywhere else and sharing ideas - creative ideas - for collecting, this is definitely a blog to check out.

It was some recent posts about "themed" projects that had a smile on my face and the hamster in my brain running quick in that wheel.

Some of the unique themed sets Bob has built from his huge card collection has not only inspired this post, but might down the road lead me to other side projects.

Just take a look at some of the great ideas he's come up with...

Bubblegum Cards

(literally)

Cold Weather Shots

Gatorade Product Placement

On The Phone

(yes....that's what cellphones used to look like)

Say Cheese!

St. Patrick's Day

The themes are endless.  Anything you can think up, you can build.

What I love about each and every one of these projects is that it can be done with the smallest of budgets.  A person can build a unique looking set without breaking the bank.

Searching for cards, tracking them down - all of it can lead to hours and hours of enjoyment.

I came up with a couple more possible ideas for hockey.

Masterful Moustaches

Punishing Checks

My Mask Is White...I Just Got Traded


And one other that Bob actually beat me to...

Can you see the theme here?

Again, whatever creative idea you can come up with.

Thanks very much Bob for giving me a ton of inspiration and a great deal of joy in seeing your various collections.  Keep up the great work!


So do you have any ideas for a collection to build?  Have you started building a creative collection?

LINDEN CARD(s) OF THE WEEK - It Has Begun....But I Haven't

The first wave of Linden cards from The Cup surfaced over the past week and while some went for very reasonable (and somewhat surprising) prices, others are just plain ridiculous.

(says the guy who has paid some stupid amounts a couple times in the past)

The cool thing about seeing these cards pop up on hobby boards and ebay is that......well.....you get to actually see the cards.  Some of these are just not going to be a part of my collection, so finding them and at least getting a scan of them is better than nothing.

I thought I'd share a couple of the biggies with you.

This is a gorgeous "laundry tag" 1/1 card.  Hard signed and everything.  I really like the photo used and the design is not too bad (for The Cup...which I'm never really overly impressed with).

It showed it's face on ebay tonight and the bidding has been feverish.  I threw in a bid just for kicks (knowing it will go for a lot more).

Haven't decided if I will bid on it again.  I've got a bit of time to think it out.

Here's the preverbal 'King Of The Castle'.  And it's a redemption card.

If you can't read it, it says Dual Shield - autographed.  My guy and Ryan Kesler.  Wow!

I can only imagine how nice this card will be when it arrives in the mailbox.  Not my mailbox though.  It's listed on ebay for over three times what I'm willing to pay (and I thought I was willing to pay a lot).

I did contact the seller and he's looking for most of his asking price.  I told him good luck and I hope he gets it.

I don't know if any Linden collectors will be shelling out that much for literally a piece of cardboard though.  Maybe there's a Kesler collector that's over the moon right now.

If it was the actual card and not a redemption, I might be slightly more inclined to go for it.  But we'd still be way off in prices.

I didn't think I had a shot at it anyways.  It's just fun to see it hit the open market and people (like me) go crazy about it.

For the record, that's two of the three 1/1 cards (not including press plates).  Geez.  That was quick.

Oh.......The Cup.  Will it ever end?

Custom Creations - Getting Back On The Horse

With the summer months now past us and the leaves slowly changing color, I'm bound and determined to pick up on a number of custom card projects that have been patiently waiting for me (along with a few of their eventual recipients).

To all of you who have been sitting by the mailbox - disappointed day after day all summer - thank you for not razzing me endlessly.  I will do my best to get this stuff done sooner than later.  Believe me, it bugs me as much as it must bother you.

Way back in March, I came up with a cut auto for a sweet Gordie Howe signature.  I really liked the way it turned out.  The person who asked me to create it also had a Darryl Sittler card in mind.  This weekend I finally put together the finishing touches on it.

He is sending 2 different signatures so I wanted to make sure that the signature window and the card design in general worked for both.

It took me months to track down a decent Sittler photo for the front of this card.  I scoured numerous resources and found nothing that worked for me (either the photo was too small or it was in black & white or it was Darryl wearing a helmet, etc.).  I came upon this photo in a kids book about hockey.  I was at a huge book sale this summer and (surprise) I headed right to the sports section.  I grabbed every hockey book that looked interesting.

It definitely paid off.

The back of the card came together a lot faster.  I didn't go overboard with the text on the back.  I put together a trial version of the card and am really pleased with how it turned out.

Now all that's left is to take the actual autographs and build the cards for real.  That's always a tense time.  Fun - but tense.


I also continued working on one of the biggest projects I have ever undertaken.  I'm not going to share pics until I am fully finished, but no question about it, it will be one of the most challenging projects to date.

It's a ton of fun working on these again.  It makes me want to clean the plate off so I can get back to building stuff for myself again.

OPINION - Canada Cup 1987 Still......

still, still, still, STILL, STILL

STILL!!!!!!

still captured me, captivated me, had me hanging on the edge of my seat and reminded me of a time when hockey was everything to me.  I loved it.

This past week, TSN re-broadcast the 1987 Canada Cup 3-game final series between Team Canada and Team USSR.  It was 25 years ago this week that the series took place.  In some ways it feels like it happened yesterday but at other times it feels like it happened a lifetime ago.

Shown in pretty much their entirety (say for the intermissions), it was a glimpse into the game the way I remembered it as a kid.  And I ate it all up and licked the plate.

Gretzky in his prime, Lemieux as the new kid (who towered above everybody else), the KLM line (Larionov, Makarov, Krutov) who were absolutely magical and an jam-packed, electric crowd.

I was 14 at the time this series originally took place and although it's 25 years after the fact, I still soaked it in with all the same feelings and emotions as I did back then.  I haven't enjoyed hockey this much in a long time.

During the intermissions, there was a current panel consisting of Team Canada coach Mike Keenan (maybe the one time I could tolerate the guy....just a bit), defenceman Larry Murphy (who had the series of his life) and Igor Larionov (man he's awesome).

Larionov summed it up best by saying that the 1987 Canada Cup was a "masterpiece of hockey".  Spot on.  Even though he was on the losing end of the series (all 3 games ended 6-5...one in OT, one in double OT and of course the unforgettable Lemieux goal late in game 3) Larionov looks back at the series as something truly special.

If you are in the mood for some exciting, fast-paced, offensive hockey I urge you to check it out.  I'm not sure if they'll re-broadcast it or have it up on their website, but track it down.  You'll be glad you did.

One more time...


Chills - everytime!

30 in 30 - Three More For The List

Well, it's getting closer to October 1.  That's the day I have slated to start my '30 in 30' project.  So between now and then I will have to finish my list, track down all the docs on the list and get the popcorn ready.

Here's three more sports documentaries I'm adding to the list...

Deep Water is the story about the first solo, non-stop, round-the-world boat race and the psychological toll it took on its competitors.  The main focus is on an amateur sailor named Donald Crowhurst and takes place in 1968.  Facing isolation for nine months on the high seas, this movie claims it is "an unforgettable journey into one mans heart of darkness".

Why not.  Here's the trailer...

From the archives of the NFB (National Film Board) of Canada comes King of the Hill.  No, not the animated show on Fox, but a documentary about Chicago Cubs star pitcher (and one of the greatest Canadian ballplayers of all time) Fergie Jenkins.

Could be a fun watch just for the 70's footage alone.

Last comes a documentary that has eluded me for years.  I knew it existed (because I vividly remember seeing chunks of it on TV back in the 90's).  Inside NFL Films: The Idol Makers is about (duh) NFL Films.  Produced by National Geographic, this is a stunning look at the team that puts together the tremendous stories of the NFL - not just the sport, but the people.

I NEED TO TRACK DOWN A COPY!!!  This one is a must see.

Here's the trailer.

Man I want to see this one bad.  I've checked ebay and there are just a couple of VHS copies available....and I'm seriously thinking of pulling the trigger.

'30 in 30' - LIST OF MOVIES

1. Hoop Dreams

2. Murderball

3. The Endless Summer

4. Pumping Iron

5. Undefeated

6. Michael Jordan: To The Max

7. Bobby Fischer Against The World

8. Jim Brown: All American

9. Tyson

10. Knuckleball

11. Magic and Bird: A Courtship Of Rivals

12. Touching The Void

13. The Curious Case Of Curt Flood

14. The Last Gladiators

15. Sonicsgate: Requiem For A Team

16. Never Say Die: The Story of the New York Islanders

17. The Game Of Their Lives

18. More Than A Game

19. Fire In Babylon

20. The Dream Team

21. TT3D: Closer To The Edge

New additions.....

22. Deep Water

23. King Of The Hill

24. Inside NFL Films: The Idol Makers

OPINION - The Choice Is Yours

In the ever-advancing world of sportscards there have been concepts that have flourished and those that have failed.  There are also others that have yet to be placed in either pile.

Sticker autographs, video cards and even 'The World's Longest Card' have been developed in hopes of creating not just the initial "wow factor", but to create longevity and a unique niche in the market that will catapult a company to new heights.

I came across this concept tonight included in the upcoming Upper Deck Exquisite Football product and am still on the fence about it.  Take a boo and then we'll talk.


My first reaction was "This is pretty cool".  Different and unlike anything I've ever seen before.  But then I thought more about it.

What if my guy was a part of one of these cards?  How would it work for my Trevor Linden collection?  I realized at that moment that as a player collector, I enjoy having the decision of what cards are created made by someone other than me (especially when there are dozens and dozens of potential options available).

If Trev was ever included in one of these products, I think I would just go for 2 or 4 of his autographs and fill the card that way.  I would cringe at thinking "Do I include him with Lemieux or Gretzky?"

I don't want that choice.

So what are your thoughts on this "Create your own card" concept?