Why do you collect what you collect?.

The question is plain and simple...WHY DO YOU COLLECT WHAT YOU COLLECT?..but yet the answer may not be as simple. For me, I started collecting back in late summer of 1993. Just took a random grocery shopping trip (back when they used to sell cards in grocery stores) with my father and for some reason we bought two packs of hockey cards. Then went back the next day and grabbed two more. Then four more..this time two baseball as well. Soon by the end of the week we had a big stack going and from there on it increased. By 1995, was really into collecting buying any product and sport could get our hands on.

One of the first big pulls I remember is this:

 

I loved Skybox and their shiny insert cards that stood out. At that point, it was the best pull in my collection. I tried to chase down all of the Paydirt inserts.

We continued to buy cards and mainly focused our efforts onto the three sports we watched. Basketball, baseball and football. On a ride home from the gas station, our new found place to buy cards, my dad who was busting behind the wheel, don't try that either, almost drove off the road when this was discovered in a pack of our 97-98 Topps Chrome basketball.....a rookie card refractor of Vince Carter. The hottest player on the market with the hottest card that had a BV of $300+ back then. I remember screaming with excitement!! How could I not! We no longer have the card as my dad sold it not much longer after despite my biggest efforts to keep it. But was and still is one my most exciting pulls.

Also around this time we were dead set on collecting Ken Griffey Jr. The man was a beast at the plate, was a great role model and was just a hobby icon. I started searching for every Griffey card I could get my hands on. I remember staying up late to check the scores and to see if he had hit a home run and if he was the league leader...used to hate when McGwire and Sosa took the lead. Especially knowing what we all know now about the steroid allegations it bothers me more.

And of course no Griffey Jr collection was a Griffey Jr collection without one of these:

It took my summer savings but I found it worth it! I still have it to this day among the other 300+ Griffey cards in my collection. I was actually featured in Beckett Baseball for my collection of Griffey cards and other items such as Cheese cans, Oreo wrappers, Empty cracker boxes, Wheaties boxes, card plaques, magazines and so on.

A few years later I took a year break from the hobby after moving out of my parents house. My dad and I split our collection the best we could and I took my part. I still kept what I owned in storage but my dad sold off his part and left the hobby for good. Which was sad because there was a lot of great cards including a Dan Marino autograph but I didn't have enough funds to pry them away from him. I still to this day don't understand why I dropped out of the hobby at that time..but I did and I missed the huge boom of the jersey and auto card takeover in that time.

So it was 2002 when I dug back into the hobby. Picked up a few hobby boxes from the same gas station, (which no longer sells cards because customers were stealing from them) Out of a Fleer box, I pulled a Derek Jeter jersey card with pinstripe. Being a Yankees fan I was pretty stoked about the Jeter especially with a pinstripe.Was still collecting Griffey even after his move to Cincy.

  

From there I was really back into the hobby buying any baseball and football cards I could. I dropped basketball card collecting after Jordan had left. However, when the news broke on steroids, Griffey's injuries kept accumulating driving down his value (even though value for me is not what I collect for) and when the rookie cards for baseball were getting more confusing around 2006 and seeing how the hobby had evolved into a rookie card hobby I decided to drop baseball and focus my efforts onto football which is my favorite sport to play (which I did as TE, OT, DT, DE) and watch and always had been.

Football cards seem to be the most popular, the most valuable out of all of the sports in my opinion and that is why I collect what I collect right now. Baseball would be second then followed by basketball, hockey and then a battle between racing, UFC, and so on. And since then, that's been my main sport. I do sprinkle in a few other sports here and there when there is a popular rookie (example Strasburg, Harper, Lebron, Lin, Taylor Hall) I must have but other than that, including Griffey, I don't buy them most of the time. But then I sometimes have that random itch where I just want to try a different sport and will.

Now that you heard my short version of why I collect what I collect...I pass the question onto you..the readers...WHY DO YOU COLLECT WHAT YOU COLLECT? Feel free to comment below why or any thoughts on my story.

Random Card Of The Day: Terelle Pryor 2011 Rookies And Stars Longevity Rookie Card

It will be interesting to see how some more playing time on the field suits Pryor as he makes his first NFL start today with the Raiders. Will he be able to play with NFL defenses...time can only tell if he is the future for the Raiders while Carson Palmer brings him along or if he will be another failed  Raiders QB experiement.

Any thoughts on Terrell Pryor?

January Monthly Giveaway!

To start off the new year we have decided instead of doing weekly giveaways, we will stick with a monthly one. The weekly giveaways seemed to have lost interest of many of you so we think switching to a challenging monthly one where you control your own destiny of winning. We really enjoy watching the competition. And as always there are daily deadlines and some twists involved on some days.

The Daily challenges will change as the sports do.

Every month the prize lot will include 2-3 autos or jersey cards. Mix of inserts. 2 unopened packs of something. And other odds and ends. The lot is based on what we get and put together. Each month the size of the lot will be different as well.

The contest will run for 20 days.

Here are this months prizes.

7 rookie cards

Nate Diaz #to88, others are numbered too

2 unopened packs of Elvis cards

4-5 diecut Hockey inserts from Classics Hockey 2012=2013

Panini Peyton Manning Career set

Joe Mauer and Chuck Person jersey card both are numbered.

Good Luck to everyone!! And when this month is over...look for February's with a variety of sports and different cards as well! Remember ....the more entries...the more prizes will be awarded! We will award up to 3 winners with AT LEAST 15 PARTICIPANTS EVERY DAY. We have seen other daily contests have 4 times that at least so we know we can do better.

Thanks to everyone who participates and good luck! First entry will be posted on January 1st.

This months prize lot has an estimated value of $65-$75.

*Contests open to U.S. Residents only. SORRY!

Random Card Of The Day: 1997 Leaf 8x10 Darrell Green Autograph Card

Still stunned I picked this bad boy HOF auto at a local card show we had here for only a $1. Not to mention, it was in a great condition. A lot of these autos from 1997 Leaf could be easily damaged on the corners because of their color scheme and the collector I bought this from didn't appear to have collected in years when I was discussing cards with him. He ended up having about 12 different of these autos all of which I bought. The last 8 I got for $5.

Whats the biggest "steal" you have ever gotten at a Card Show?

More For You Guys!!

We are always having our brains racking for new ideas to get you, the fans and readers, more involved with the blog. We introduced our Fan Forums with every sport from baseball to soccer to movies and TV to discuss the sport and cards of it. Even a place for you guys to trade between each other. We update all of this EVERY DAY!

But here are some more NEW ideas to get you all involved and a way to show off your collection, favorite cards and your hits from a break! Whether your break or collection is big or small.

• We have decided to revive the Fan Favorite Card Thursday so if you have a favorite card and want to show it off, just email us at sportcardcollectors@hotmail.com with your card pic and why its your favorite. Just a sentence.
• We are also creating something called Fan PC. Can't get yourself into Beckett? We want to see your collections and share them with others on here!! If you collect a team or player or non sport or whatever just send us a pic of your collection (you can pose with it as well) or some of it also with a small to medium write up about the collection and why you started it and you can include some numbers on it (how many cards, autos, jersey cards, other) and make sure you include your name or screen name you use on the blog. Send us your pics and write up to sportcardcollectors@hotmail.com.
• We are also starting a Fan Box Breakers. Just as we post ourselves where we break down a box to show others what the contents were from it. Send us a pic of your break of any packs whether hobby or retail, big or small and we will post it! Here are examples below:

Hobby or Retail Packs:

Whether its one, two or three!

Hobby Boxes:

 

Blaster Boxes:

Of any sport or any brand or product of any year (prefer newer).

Send us a picture of some of  the following:

• Base Card-just one
• Inserts (one of each kind you pull and all can be put into one pic unless its a huge pull or a very low numbered one)
• Autographs
• Jersey Cards
• Anything that catches your eye
• Also do a small write up with your thoughts on your break with what you paid and got in return. Was it worth what you paid for it? What were your thoughts on the cards? Design? and so on.
• Send your submissions to sportcardcollectors@hotmail.com.

We don't always get to open every product to review or break it down so seeing product that you guys break would be a nice addition to help other collectors decide.

Hoping some of you will jump in on some of these ideas and join in! Don't forget the Forums are also always as well. Though the blog is run by us, we welcome you to join in as well and be apart of it!

Thanks for all of the support!

 Note: We will read all submissions before posting them. Please keep submissions clean and no language. We will email you back our thoughts on your email before posting it.

Box Breakers: Momentum Football 2012

Here is the final of the FOUR Christmas present breaks I got to do early! This was my first go at Momentum football. I was impressed by the cards...just not by who and what I got for the price you pay. Here is the gallery of a box break!

4 rookie autos..the best being Fletcher Cox # to 25

Anything with Russell Wilson on it works

The Keyshawn Johnson is a patch

Blue parallel. But wanted to show the base design as well.

Third Ryan Broyles auto pull for me this year!! Hope he turns out to be like Calvin Johnson

Didn't think I even came close to getting my money back on this break. I do like the design of the cards and the thickness of these are like no other.I have been wanting to give this product a try because of its design and hit possibilities. It may not show in my box but there are some great pulls to be found in this product. Had to rate this break a little low for cost vs return.

I rate this break a:

2/5

Overall I got some great boxes for Christmas. I didn't mind opening them really early.  Here is what the four were again,  Momentum, Crown Royal, Rookies and Stars, and Totally Certified if you missed any of them just go to the Box Breakers tab at the top of the blog. I enjoyed the products and they were fun breaks. Wished and hoped I could have done a lot better. But hey, it just was my luck lol. Maybe next year. 

Now that you have seen all of them what were your thoughts on how I did? 

Box Breakers (Christmas Edition): Crown Royale Football 2011

Here is one of FOUR Christmas present breaks I got to do early! This is one of my favorite products...but this time around the product didn't award me quite as well as my first time around.

Base Cards..the best looking out there.

Inserts

Best Pulls from the box

The Phil Taylor is # to 25

Can't go wrong with a Giants auto

I love the look of this product and my first break of it was terrific. But this one wasn't nearly half as exciting. 4 autos in a box doesn't happen to often. Usually you get two autos and two jersey cards. Not going to argue over getting four autos cause we all know how much jersey cards are over produced, just wished one had been a Rookie Silhouette or a bigger name player.

I rate this break

3/5

Random Card Of The Day: Pro Set Santa Claus Card

 

I hope santa will be doing this for me this year. Filling up my tree with NFL cards (will take any sport but mainly NFL) and sport related presents.

Also we here at Sport Card Collectors want to wish you and your family a very, very Happy Holiday and a Very Merry Christmas!

Have a great one and hope you share with us any pulls you may get!

Box Breakers: Rookies And Stars Football 2011

Here is one of FOUR Christmas present breaks I got to do early! I have broken this product before and did better. I would say this was the best break out of the four Christmas ones.. Here is the gallery of a box break!

Base Cards

Rookies

Jonathan Baldwin jersey..I dig the design but disappointed by the jersey number

Nice pull from the box

Nicks is numbered to 99

Why..Phil..why did you have to appear in my box!!

Finally this Powell pulls might pay off. He seems to be the future for the Jets. And I really dig these manu-autos.

Can't say this was a great break...but for the price that was paid for it..it works. The Ingram was nice and would be nicer if he got more playing time like he has more of recent. But I like multicolor patches.

I would rate this break a

3/5

Random Card Of The Day: TY Hilton Certified New Generation auto

I love to watch this guy play. Whether its special teams or as a wide out this guy has some talent. I hadn't even heard of him until he started making plays for the Colts and it appears to me that him and Luck have a very bright future together. Could I call them the next Manning/Wayne..well its too early for that. But you can tell these two have the Colts heading in the right direction again.

Box Breakers (Christmas Edition): Totally Certified Football 2011

One of my favorite Panini releases in 2011 and something I did very well out of the first time around...Here is one of FOUR Christmas present breaks I got to do early! This break wasn't as much fun with not great player hits..but the real draw is the design of these cards...just stunning! Here is the gallery of a box break!

Each box guarantees 6 hits including one auto/jersey rookie card. Boxes run depending on where you buy them between $85-$100

Base Cards..some of the best designed!

The rookie jersey auto hit per box

Nice patch of Vincent Jackson if he can get out on the field...Mallet makes me want Brady to retire with 2 hits in one box

Shorts was a good pickup

This doesn't look like much in terms of pulls...but the value is there to almost pay for the box. The Mallet was one of the nicer hits for my Christmas present breaks.

I rate this break a:

3/5

#SCC20DaysofChristmas Day Winner Announced!

Congrats goes out to....
Miami Vice who holds onto the win. Please email us at sportcardcollectors@hotmail.com with your address.

And a big thank you goes out to all who participated. We hope you had fun and were challenged. Next months will begin on January 1st. It will run for 20 days just like this one with challenges from the Bowl Games, NBA, NFL, and maybe NHL if it ever returns. As seasons change so won't the sports. The end of the contest will run similar to this one where you are bidding points...however the difference this time will be you will only be able to bid up to 10 points to make things even more interesting. The daily points will still be 2 and 1 with a few twists and bonus points in-between. A prize lot has already been put together and will be posted a few days before the contest. All contest entry headers will say the day such as January 1st, 2013.

And you never know when we might sneak a quick contest in between for fun so make sure you check back. We might not always announce them.

Fan Favorite Card Thursday: Arron Stout's 3 Doug Martin Cards

 Here is what Arron had to say about the Doug Martins:
"my buccaneers drafted martin so I thought I should find some cards..... glad I did!!!!!"

It has been a long time since we have done one of these. But we love to do em! So if you got a card or cards to share please pass them along! We will post em right here. You can also show your friends and family by either posting a link to this post or to the blog in general.

Just email us the pics at sportscardcollectors@hotmail.com with your pics and a small write up.

My Big Ole Surprise Epic Mail Day-TTM

It was a usual day...I went to go get the mail looking for Christmas cards but to my surprise none were found. However this envelope with my handwriting with my signature S.A.S.E.was there.

I thought to myself..I don't remember when I had last sent out a player request. It had been at least a few years. I had given up on doing them since I had only 11 returned out of 40 or so. The odds seemed against me. The one thing I never really did was target star players. Because with star players they won't get back to you. But I took a swing a couple of times. Seems like this is probably the one and only time it worked.

Well, I got to the car and ripped open the envelope and found this:

I was pretty excited to say the least. I have landed people like Roy Williams WR and Michael Turner but this guy was huge. Most of the time I got people who no one has heard of. I guess patience and trying pays off in the long run.

Random Cards Of The Day: Allen York Panini Rookie Autos

Even though the NHL is still in a lockout...hockey cards are still out on the market and if this is the only puck we will see this season we might as well show off a couple of rookie autos of a possible up and coming player for Columbus.

Leave us your thoughts on either the NHL lockout or the cards!

Random Card Of The Day: R.A. Dickey 1997 Bowman Rookie Card

 

 

R.A. Dickey is soon to become a member of the Toronto Bluejays as long as he signs an extension by Wednesday which we all assume he will.  This is a huge move again for the Blue Jays who have already re-shaken their roster this offseason. They have already gotten pitchers Mark Buehrle and Josh Johnson this offseason. If the Dickey deal goes through it would be hard not to see them as a front runner for the Wild Card if not a front runner in the AL East.

REVIEW: PANINI TOTALLY CERTIFIED 2012-2013

One of my favorite football products I got to try this time in basketball form. And it did not disappoint and even came with an extra hit.

 First off, I would like to say thanks to the WONDERFUL people at Panini America for providing us with this box to review. Here are many places you can find Panini America: official site, blog, Twitter, and Facebook.Make sure you do too! Best in the Biz!

Box Break Down:

• 6 Packs Per Box, 5 Cards Per Pack
• (3) Autographs and (3) Memorabilia Cards Per Box!
• Boxes run $120.

 

 

BASE CARDS:A micro-etched pattern that is stunning and almost makes the players jump off from the cardboard. One of my Top 3 base card designs. One that you want to put a set together of. But that might take you awhile since you don't get many cards per box.

The base breaks down as so 300-card base set with at least 75 Rookie Cards

 

 

 

INSERTS:Totally digging these. Yep..pun intended. Micro etched parallels galore!! Almost got one or two per pack. And I still like the Kobe Anthology pack thats included as well. Nice design showcasing his history in the league and a chance at Kobe memorabilia and autographs.

AUTOGRAPHS: Once again we find the micro etched technology again. This time with an autograph on it. I like the design of the micro etched rookie auto cards with the Star in the background as we know any of these can become stars someday. Harrison Barnes was a nice hit and a Totally Red parallel hit. The Glen Rice is our bonus hit of the box as each box guarantees 3 autos but we had already gotten all 6 hits when Rice was found stuck to the back of another card. No complaints here it was Totally awesome to find a bonus.

JERSEY/PATCH CARDS: This box didn't provide much for terms of explosive patch or more than one color jersey cards but believe me..they are out there and they are a thing of beauty. The memorabilia cards have parallels like rest of the product which makes for a Totally good time.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: This product is beautiful. I like the micro etched technology. My only complaint would be how easy they could chip. Other than that..wow. I like chasing the parallels and they sell well on the market too. A jersey card that would normally look plain with a one color swatch still stands out because of this technology. 6 hits in a box with half being autos. A decent price of $120 for the amount of hits. I would give it another shot for sure and recommend it to you as well. There is a lot of value to be found and you too will Totally dig this product.

RATINGS:  Bloggers Note: Our ratings are based specifically on the blaster, box or packs we opened and do not express what the overall product could bring. Ratings based on a 1-5. 1 Being the lowest and 5 being the highest.
                Packaging: 4
                Base Design: 5
                Insert Design: 5
                Memorablila/Autographs: 5
                Blaster, Hobby Box, or Pack Value: 4