Al Toon TTM

I finally have an Al Toon auto in my Jets collection. And it only took me about 2 years to get it back.

I sent Mr.Toon a Upper Deck Legends football card and a custom generic Jets card for him to sign and promptly forgot all about it, so when I recieved them back, I was surprised. Still doesn't beat my all time record of 4 years to get Ben Oglive back.

Could be worse. Could have been like what Ben Sheets did when he took 2 years to return my card, unsigned.

Al Toon played for the Jets from 1985 to 1992. He was drafted by New York in the first round, 10th overall, of the 1985 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin. He was a 3 time Pro Bowl and 3 time All Pro player who caught for 6,605 yards and scored 31 touchdowns in his NFL career. Unfortunately, he had to retire at the age of 29 years old due to suffering at least 9 concussions. He suffred from Post concussion syndrome after his NFL career was done, but recovered enough where he was able to participate in a triathlon in 2004. I understand he serves on the Board of Directors for the Packers these days.

Another Jet is crossed off the list. I am hoping I can cross another off within a few days.

New Teixeira Adds

I got in a couple of Teixeira cards for my PC this week. One is an ebay purchase, the other was from a trade.

This is the ebay purchase. A 2010 Topps Peak Performance Game Used Jersey card with pinstripe. Love it! I love it when I can find a gu jsy card with the pinstripe on it almost as much as finding one with a piece of patch.

This next card was a trade I made over at tradingcardcentral.com. It was a trade that required cash and a trade of an autographed Bob Gibson card. Worth the trade.

2005 Reflections Mark Teixeira/Hank Blaylock Dual Patch/Auto card numbered to 25

This card is absolutely sick looking in person. It is definately the centerpiece of my Teixeira PC until I can afford a Game Used bat of his. (Are you listening Steiner Sports?)

I also added some base to the PC and the collection is growing. I just have to update the have list I have on the bottom of this page.

Hope to add more shortly.

I Knew This Was Coming

So, I'm so happy that spring training finally started. I have new Teixeira cards to show off, but what do I see in todays paper?

Source says CC Sabathia may opt out of his contract at the end of the season.

I can't say I'm at all shocked. I kind of figured that once Cliff Lee got his money from the Phillies that CC would look at the 90 plus million he was still owed for the next 5 years and think it was not enough.

I hate these opt out clauses. Arod burned the Yankees a few years back with it and CC is poised to do the same. I understand why Brian Cashman gave it to Sabathia during negotiations. He was worried that the Angels would go hard after CC once Teixeira spurned them. I'm also sure he knew this would ultimately happen once he offered the clause, so I'm sure he has a plan in case it actually comes to a reality.

I don't think that CC is feeling the pull of playing near his California roots. I think this is just a money issue. That being the case, he should get the deal he wants. CC is 40-15 3.27 ERA in 2 years in New York. He's the unquestioned ace of the Yankees staff. Losing him would be a nightmare. I'm sure the Steinbrenners and Cashman will give him what he wants to stay. Plus, he's lost 25lbs in the off season, nixing his beloved Capn' Crunch cereal in an effort to lengthen his career.

All n all, I don't see him leaving. Just gonna have pockets full of green.

Upcoming Yankee McFarlanes

I love these figures. I have a good sized collection of them. I taught I had most until I saw the check list on spawn.com and saw I still needed quite a bit of them. I'm missing the more recent figures and some of the older ones. I hope I can catch up on those during the year.

McFarlane released pics of the upcoming MLB Series 27 and Cooperstown Series 8 and I gotta say, I'm drooling over my keyboard seeing these pics.

Here is a pic of the Derek Jeter from series 27. To me, it's the best Jeter McFarlane has put out

What a great looking figure. Captures him in his classic Jeter jump and throw in the hole pose.

From Cooperstown Series 8

Lou Gehrig

Not as nice as his first figure, but pretty cool nonetheless

Catfish Hunter

He had a figure of him in a Yankee uni as a variant to the first Catfish fig McFarlane put out. Now, it's an official figure.

Rickey Henderson

Not too crazy about this one only because they used the wrong pose, in my opinion. I feel they should have gone with him leading off first base or sliding into second. This figure is also being released in an Oakland A's uni. I'm hoping this one is not hard to find.

I cannot wait till they are released. I will be spending some greenbacks on them.

2011 Trenton Thunder Bobbleheads Promotions

The Trenton Thunder has released their promotions schedule for 2011 and, yes Virginia, there are bobbleheads being given away:

Fri April 29th-Robinson Cano

Fri May 13th-Phil Hughes

Fri July 15th-Andy Pettitte Home uni

Fri July 29th-Andy Pettitte Road uni

Fri Aug 19th-Derek Jeter Thunder Home uni

Fri Aug 26th-TBA

I can only assume that the Cano and Hughes will be in Thunder uni's as well. I only have one Trenton Thunder bobble and it's a Hideki Matusi in a Yankees Cap and Thunder uni

I have never been to a Thunder game and have wanted to go to one. Trenton is about an hour and a half away from me by NJ Transit. I probably would have to take off work the days I do want to go. I'm sure the crowds are crazy for the bobbles and will be packed early.

As a season ticket holder with the Staten Island Yankees, I had wondered why they don't have give a ways like this. The Brooklyn Cyclones have tons of give a ways and sell out every game, promotion or not. I spoke with the head of Marketing for the SI Yanks and was told that they did want to give away a bobble head to the season ticket holders, but would have had to raise the prices of the plan in order to do so. That idea was vetoed by the ticket holders. What's baffling to me is, as a ticket holder, I was never asked. Now to keep costs, they eliminated the second gift they give out and kept the cap, which I never wear anyway because it's cheaply made.

I'm thinking I may be at some Thunder games this season. I love watching the young kids play anyways and the bobble heads are a plus. I'll be looking at the Robinson Cano give a way as my first potential game.

I'll post pics of the bobbles as they become available

Does Your Better Half Understand The Obsession?

So, I'm sure we all have experienced this. You date someone and everything is going great until the game starts. Usually, your significant other will leave the room and leave you to watch the game. If they stay and watch with you, then you know you have someone special. One, who should be treated very well for tolerating your screams of joy when your teams win, or you throwing your can of Budweiser and ruining the carpet. But what about your other obsession?

That's right, I'm talking about the sports memorabilia collecting. The cards in boxes, the autographs, the McFarlanes or Starting Lineups you've had since 1990, still in their original packaging, or the walls of signed photos that take up valuable real estate. Space where pics of her parents can go. Or how about those long hours you spend on a line, getting an autograph for your PC? Yes, I am going somewhere with this.

I had a rather interesting conversation a while back and it stuck in my head ever since. I used to work with this young lady a while back. One day, at the company Christmas party, the table I sat at got around to discussing what we do in our spare time. I mentioned that I am a collector of sports memorabilia, with a concentration on New York Yankees. The aforementioned young lady looked up and said, I would never let my boyfriend collect that junk.

(Here's where I turn into the Miz) Really? Really?

Now, I know not all women are like this. I have seen couples where both are collectors and are very happy together, or at the very least tolerant toward one another as far as their personal interests go. But what about the ones who aren't? Do they have to sneak around to collect or do they just give it up? Honestly, I can't ever imagine stopping. I love being a collector. Anyone I wind up with would have to accept it if they truly love me and want to see me happy. Naturally, I do have friends that can't understand why I love buying sports cards or anything that bears my team's logo. They'd rather use their money for other recreational activities.

So, I hope everyone who does have a collection of some sort has a special someone who understands and supports the habbit. Maybe even have a collection of their own or share in yours. Ether way, As long as they're understanding, that's all you can ask.

Good Bye Andy. Thanks For The Memories

Yesterday, Andy Pettitte officially announced his retirement at a press confrence at Yankee Stadium. Yankees manager Joe Girardi, Yankees GM Brian Cashman and former Yankees CF Bernie Williams were in attendence to Pettitte's farwell address to the media. In his press confrence, Pettitte admitted that he was woring toward coming back for the 2011 season, but after some soul searching, decided he didn't have the hunge to compete and that his wanting to be with his family outweighted his desire to come back for another season.

So after a 15 year career, in which he won 240 games, was a 3 time all star, a 5 time world series winner and the all time winningest post season pitcher, Pettitte hangs up his cleats. I can't say that surprises me. I would have figured if he was coming back, he would have said so after the Yankees failed to land Cliff Lee. Instead, Pettitte never said a word and lingered before finally letting the world know. I don't begrudge a man for wanting to be with his family. Plus, Andy was as much a Yankee as Derek Jeter is in the years Pettitte played here, save for three seasons as a Astro. I can tell you one thing, Pettitte will be missed. After CC and Hughes, the rotation is an uncertainty. AJ Burnett needs to get his head on straight, a few rookies will be vying for the 4th and 5th spots in the rotation along side Freddie Colon, Bartolo Colon and possibly Mark Prior. Not exactly a rotation I would want to take into war against the likes of Boston, Tampa, Detroit, Texas and Minnesota. Baltimore will be improved, Seattle may get better and Oakland is worth keeping an eye on. The Yankees are not guarenteed a playoff spot and will have to make a trade of some sort to improve the rotation to contend.

In honor of Pettitte, I give you two of my favorite Pettitte cards in my Yankees collection:

1996 Leaf Certified Andy Pettitte on card autograph

2008 Upper Deck Game Jersey gu jersey card.

Good bye Andy. Your will be missed