Card of the Week: Modern Art Masterpiece

At 6-foot-3, former NHL goalie Cesare Maniago stood out among his peers. He played in the 1960s and 1970s, during an era where most goalies were of average height. Maniago's tall frame - mixed with an unfortunate background and a hasty "jersey re-coloring" led to one strange-looking hockey card. (Full Story)

Set Review: 1984-85 O-Pee-Chee Hockey

Perfection. There is no other word to better describe the 1984-85 O-Pee-Chee Hockey set. Hands down, it is the best hockey card set from the 1980s. It might even be the best hockey set made during the "O-Pee-Chee Era" (1968-1993). The '84-85 O-Pee-Chee set achieves perfection because of its fantastic design, excellent photography and comprehensive player selection - not to mention that it includes the rookie cards of five future Hall of Fame players.(Full Story)

Who's Going to The National this year?

If you haven't heard by now, the National Sports Collectors' Convention (a.k.a. "The National) will be held near Chicago from August 3 to 7. (link)

Not only is The National billed as the largest sports convention, but most of the card companies have special convention-only cards that you can get via wrapper redemption programs (like the Jonathan Toews you see above). For those two reasons, and because it is close to home, I will be going to the show all 5 days. 

Now I ask you, fellow bloggers and blog readers - are you going to The National? I've posted a poll (top, right), so please take a moment to vote in it.

More importantly, if you are going to the National, and would like to meet up for a bit, drop me a line at sjb44 AT hotmail DOT com.

I enjoy meeting other bloggers at card shows. Previously, I've met up with Tim (The Real DFG) and Justin G. (The Hopeful Chase), and those were some of the most fun shows I've been to. It was cool to meet people that I knew from the blogosphere, hang out for a bit and get rid of cards I don't need TRADE cards with them. 

So, if you're going to The National, would like to meet up and maybe trade some cards, let me know.

Additional links of interest:

• The National show website
• Panini wrapper redemption info & pics
• In The Game wrapper redemption info & pics
• Upper Deck wrapper redemption info & pics
• Topps wrapper redemption info

Sometimes I buy baseball cards

Although I consider myself strictly a hockey card collector, every now and then I stray a bit and buy baseball cards--but only if they are from my childhood.

As a kid in the mid-to-late 1980s, I watched quite a bit of baseball--sometimes because the Cubs games pre-empted The Transformers or G.I. Joe cartoons that I watched so religiously, and other times out of actual interest.

I bought my first pack of baseball cards in 1985, and continued buying them until 1990. But by then, hockey had taken over as my sport of choice to collect, and I sold off all my baseball cards.

Then a few years ago, I picked up complete 1985 and 1989 Topps Baseball and Traded sets.

Last week I picked up 4 more years from the "junk wax" era:

• 1986 Topps Baseball Set with Traded Set
• 1987 Topps Baseball Set
• 1988 Topps Baseball Set with Traded Set
• 1990 Topps Baseball Set with Traded Set

When I go to the National next month, I will try to find a 1987 Topps Traded set. It shouldn't be hard, but the trick is to get one for cheap. Then I will have every Topps baseball card set from 1985 to 1990. Worthless cards to die-hard baseball card aficionados, but timeless for this hockey fan.

Poll Results: Winnipeg Jets

A few weeks back, I discussed the seemingly unlimited amount of hockey fans who are rejoicing in Winnipeg's re-entry into the NHL.

I also posted a poll, asking "Are you excited about the Winnipeg Jets return to the NHL?" Here are the answers (as illustrated above):

76% -Yes
9% - No
15% - I could care less

So it seems that 3 out of 4 respondents were excited about the Jets making a comeback. The other two groups - who are not excited or could care less - account for 24% total. These numbers are based on 46 poll responses. I did not vote in this poll.

Why I'm not going to Hawks Con this year

The fourth annual Chicago Blackhawks Convention takes place this weekend. And for the first time, I am not going.

Sure, I like the Blackhawks, getting autographs and buying hockey cards. Those are three really good reasons to go.

Unfortunately, the cons outweighed the pros.

Here are the reasons why I'm sitting out this year's Chicago Blackhawks Convention:

1. The price is out of hand
Since 2008, the ticket price went up from $50 to $55 to $60 to $65. I don't think actual hockey tickets have gone up 30% in 3 years. The price goes up, but it is more or less the same thing every year. $65 might seem like a bargain for a fun weekend, until you consider the next few reasons.

2. More tickets sold every year
Not only are the tickets more expensive, but each year the Blackhawks organization sells more or them. 5,000 fans attended the first Hawks Con. In 2009, it was 7,500 attendees, and last year 10,000. So now, there are twice as many people to compete with for autographs or a seat at a panel discussion.

3. It's in a basement
The Hilton hotel in downtown Chicago is nice; unfortunately, the Hawks Con is in its basement, or concourse level or whatever they call it. The show feels less like being at a convention and more like being in a warehouse. At least the Hilton finally put down carpeting in their basement--waiting in an autograph line on a concrete floor in a basement for 2 hours is kind of a sad experience.

4. Too much time with nothing to do
Points #2 and #3 cause point #4. Because autograph lines are capped at 225 or 250 people, fans end up flooding panel discussions. But what about when those fill? Sure, there's a dealer room, but it sucks (see next point). And there's some room with "interactive" games like a slap shot speed timer or shooting pucks past a mannequin goalie. Not something you can kill an hour or two with. I was surprised at how many people were out in the lobby last year, waiting to get in line for the next panel or autograph guest. Waiting...to wait.

5. The dealer room sucks
You would THINK that the dealer room at the Chicago Blackhawks convention would have the greatest selection of hockey memorabilia EVER. Or at least a decent selection. Instead, the room has a handful of dealers, along with a bunch of vendors I have no interest in: the Marine Corps. recruitment, some local construction company, Verizon Wireless, a local lacrosse (yes, lacrosse) team. It feels more like a trade show than a dealer room. Last year, I couldn't find a Jake Dowell card, but I could have bought new windows, got on a new cell phone plan and enlisted in the armed forces . Go figure.

My final reason for not going has nothing to do with the Blackhawks Convention iteslf:

6. The National Sports Collectors' Convention is coming to Chicago this year
Yes, "The National" will be in my home town. I decided that instead of spending $130 for two passes (one for me, one for the girlfriend who really doesn't want to go anyway) to the Hawks Con, I would spend that very same amount on purchasing one 5-day pass for The National. I honestly think I'll have more fun at a 5-day card show than the 3-day Blackhawks Convention. 

Of course, part of me still yearns to go to Hawks Con. I looked at the website, and see several players that I want to get autographs from. But all the autograph-seeking I did last year made the convention less of a joy and more of a chore. Wait in this line, wait in that line...try to squeeze in at a panel discussion.

So this year, I need a break...or more accurately, a breakup.

It's not me, Blackhawks Convention, it's you. Change your ways. If you increase the ticket price, decrease the amount of tickets sold so it isn't so crowded. Move to a venue that is above ground. And lower your exhibitor prices so we get some more dealers selling hockey memorabilia, and not just a few selling the same old stuff. Do all that and maybe--MAYBE--I'll come back next year, blue Sharpie in one hand and binder of cards-to-get-signed in the other. But until then, we need time away from each other. It is for the best.

1987-88 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Pack Rip #4

My fourth pack rip of 1987-88 O-Pee-Chee hockey cards. Do I finally get a decent card? Inquiring minds want to know!

Card of the Week: Creepy Conductor

Team mascot cards are an unfortunate side-effect of minor league and junior league hockey sets. It is safe to say that the majority of us would rather get a card of a hockey player instead of some googley-eyed monstrosity. (Full Story)

Video: 1987-88 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Pack Rip #3

My third pack rip of 1987-88 O-Pee-Chee hockey cards. This one involves a major kitchen appliance. And what to do with that gum?

Some 1961-62 Topps Hockey Cards

I recently purchased 7 cards from the 1961-62 Topps Hockey set. They either have creases, rough edges or minor staining on the back. But for $3 each, I can't complain. These cards are 50 years old, after all.

Click on any of the images to see larger

#21 - Action Near the Cage - Vintage Bruins-Blackhawks action from the '60-61 season.

#49 - Earl Ingarfield - Played in the NHL from 1959 to 1971.

#63 - New York Rangers Team Photo - I love these old team photos.

#8 - John Bucyk - The Chief! Bucyk played 21 seasons with the Boston Bruins.

#64 - Going, Going, Goal! - Rangers' goalie Gump Worsley gest beat by Bruins forward Dick Meissner, who pokes in the puck at the goal line.

#20 - Boston Bruins Team Photo - Another great team shot. Team photos should be included in newer card sets, don'tcha think?

#23 - Rudy Pilous (coach) - Am I the only one who likes cards of coaches? From the back of this card...

Rudy, never a big league player himself, drove Black Hawks to Stanley Cup last season...Rudy's a big, amiable guy with real gift for handling men.

See? Hard-hitting information you can't find anywhere else but on the back of a vintage card.

Video: 1987-88 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Pack Rip #2

My second pack rip of 1987-88 O-Pee-Chee hockey cards. Learning my lesson from the previous pack rip, I did not eat the gum this time.

Video: 1987-88 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Pack Rip #1

Happy Friday! I opened a pack of 1987-88 O-Pee-Chee hockey cards, and then I did something very stupid. Enjoy!