Reminiscing 90's:1999 McDonalds Doug's First Movie, Doug Pen

Key notes for April 7th 1999:

April 7th was a Wednesday
Bill Clinton was President
Most Popular Movie released in April of 1999 was Never Been Kissed
Most Popular Book around this time was All Too Human by George Stephanopoulos
Billboard Hot 100 number-one single on April 7th 1999 was No Scrubs by TLC 

SPORTS N/A

FEATURED TOY:

Most of us who grew up in the 90's knew who Doug was. If not, here is a quick recap on the show that came out around the same time as classics Ren&Stimpy and Rugrats.

The show focuses on growing up with its title character, Doug Funnie, who had just moved into a new town and school in Bluffington. The show covered many topics of trying to fit in. Whether it was bullying to rumors to romance which was a big focus on the show with his classmate and main crush, Patti Mayonnaise.
 

Doug aired from August 11, 1991-January 2, 1994 On Nickelodeon before they decided to not continue on with it. It was then picked up by ABC that was bought by Disney and they played the new episodes on One Saturday Morning (man that theme is now in my head) from September 7, 1996-June 26, 1999. Luckily before the show ended, they were able to release theatrical feature-length film, Doug's 1st Movie which is what this toy is from.

I picked up this fine memory piece from a free box at a yard sale.The pen even still works and the toy is basically mint.

FEATURED CARDS:

Doug, even though the main character, seemed to always be under the radar when it came to character placement. I guess that's what you get when you move to a new town and learn life lessons of growing up.

I thought I would choose a few players cards from the 90's that I always thought were great, but never seemed to get the spotlight.

John Stockton seemed to always have Karl Malone over his shoulder "delivering". Even though John was always dishing it around and especially to Karl. Allan Houston was always under the radar for the Knicks, even though he made a key shot many times. But, when you have Patrick Ewing....

 

Chris Warren and Cris Carter were both BEASTS for their respective teams. But, it always seemed like when it came to the hobby or in popularity contests, they would never finish at the top.

 

Same could always be said for McGriff. He was a truly seasoned veteran that played for many teams but never truly stood out despite how well the "Crime Dog" played. Edgar was teammates with Ken Griffey Jr, Randy Johnson and Alex Rodriguez. That alone should be enough said, even though this guy could truly hit with the best.

 

So who do you guys have as your player(s) that were great but always felt like they were in the "shadows" of others?

(By the way, after this episode, we are going on a complete Ghostbusters streak to get ready for the new movie!)

A Hitless Product Could Survive

Back in 2014, I wrote a piece asking if Upper Deck's Series 1 And 2 Hockey is the Ideal Product, and broke down why I thought it was. After busting yesterday's 2015-2016 Series 2 box, I can also tell you, Upper Deck has built this product so well, that it would even survive as a hitless product.

Not since the 90's has a product made such an impact on the hobby with such little "hits" as Upper Deck's flagship hockey product. Collectors are buying this left and right and even through the e-pack system chasing their favorite players and the most sought after non-autographed rookie cards on the market, Young Guns.

I think this product has such a solid foundation, that if Upper Deck decided, "hey, let's make the hits even tougher to pull or let's get rid of them all together" that this product would easily survive. It's not the main focus here and collectors who have opened this product in the past I am sure strongly agree.

Here is why I think this product would work.

The base cards are a great starter. They capture incredible scenes and sometimes heartwarming moments like no other product on cardboard. There is also a big checklist which makes set and team collectors happy.

The Young Guns hold/increase value despite not being signed or numbered. It's the nice checklist and limited amount of these per box that have collectors chasing them down as the top rookie cards of their favorite players. It's been this way for years. However, the value and want of these would drastically change if they were per pack so I am glad that Upper Deck did it this way instead.

Also challenges us set collectors to chase them down. As we all know, it's all about the chase!

Even the simplest parallels are collectible/valuable in this product. There is usually only one per box and they are numbered to 100 or less. None of this 25 parallels per box stuff like some companies pile on. Upper Deck keeps it simple and worthwhile.

Sharp looking inserts that don't fall per pack help too. I know a few collectors who poured their hearts out into putting this particular insert set together. And this is just one of a few inserts you can find as Upper Deck adds new ones every year. Canvas cards shown below are unique and the Young Gun versions are tough-valuable pulls. Another, win-win.

The final and most important part of why I believe this product would work as a hitless one, the price of the product is very reasonable for both young and old collectors. All I can say is if you pay $3.99 per pack and pull one of the key Young Guns in a pack or two, I am pretty sure you will celebrating and it doesn't even need a swatch of jersey or be signed to bring such excitement. Even if you don't, you will still feel like a winner with what you do get I feel.

There is currently one jersey card in every box and I think it works right now and adds value when it comes to the top tier players, but I still think it's not needed here. I find myself immersed so deeply in the other aspects I sometimes forget you pull one per box until I stumble upon it. As for the autographs, since I have never pulled one with the astronomical odds, I already know I wouldn't miss that aspect.

There you have it on why I think this product would be set without hits. Upper Deck has built a great product from the bottom up without many hits already, I think removing what's there for hits wouldn't change the outlook on how collectors feel about it.

So what do you guys think? Do you agree with me? Would this product survive without all of the bells and whistles of hits? What other products do you think would/could survive? Or do you think every collector is so set on hits that it would be silly to take them out at this point?

Nuttin But The Hits:2015-2016 Upper Deck Series 2 Hobby Box (Eichel Sighting/100)

BLOGGERS NOTE: This is a new segment. One thing about my Breakin Wax series was that it was supposed to be a quick breakdown of a box break but instead turned into a full review every time. Yes, I do have reviews but those are specifically for newer releases. So to separate confusion, Nuttin But The Hits will literally be what it says. It's still enjoyable and gets everyone straight to what they wanna see.

• 2015-2016 Upper Deck Series 2 Hobby Box
• 24 Packs Per Box, 8 Cards Per Pack
• One Memorabilia Card Per Box
• Six Young Guns Rookies Per Box
• Four UD Canvas Cards Per Box
• Four UD Portraits Per Box
• Five O-Pee-Chee Update Per Box
• One O-Pee-Chee Rainbow Foil Parallel Per Box
• Two O-Pee-Chee Retro Updates Per Box
• $70 Per Box

My Young Gun finds:
Like my usual Young Gun pulls, nothing too big here.







My rainbow foil O-Pee-Chee update rookie find

My Canvas pulls weren't great so I didn't bother posting those this time same as my UD Portraits. Not sure if in the future of this segment if I will post all of my hits or just key ones.

My jersey card wasn't that great either. I have never pulled anyone big on these. However, I set my new best on a Series 1 and 2 best pull on the next card....

This O-Pee-Chee Update Rookie Black Border #'d 51/100 of hot rookie Jack Eichel. Sharp looking card all around with the throwback design and touch of rainbow foil. Of course as everyone knows, I like shiny things.

Overall, not a horrible break with Eichel saving it in terms of hits. But, with the Young Guns you just never know which rookie will up their game later on. That has happened to me before.

This has always been a product I never mind digging into more than once.

What are your thoughts on this years Upper Deck Series 2? What was your best hit of all time from the product?

Opening Day..... Gallery Of Fun

To celebrate Opening Day in baseball, here are a bunch of random baseball cards I found in my blogger albums. Most of these you may have seen, but say you may have not.

Let's get this gallery on and hope everyone enjoys a great day of baseball!

Pack pulled this a couple of years ago

Cool card, player I don't respect however. Sorry Bonds fans.

Dufex!

Miss this guy playing. Yankees do to.

I never did finish my rainbow of him...

Always liked his signature

He was better in pinstripes.....

Always the type of players I pull in Bowman....

USA...USA...USA...

 Found this in a mystery box

Obvious card had to be here.

90's! Don't make inserts like this anymore.

Yard Sale pickups a couple of years ago

Wished this was in a Yanks uni, but I still like it

This is actually a picture, but still awesome and was a must post

There is nothing wrong with posting extra Yankees today...

One of my favorite 2015 pickups...

So good luck to your MLB team if they play today, unless you are an Astros fan, cause I am just going to leave you with this image...

Sunday's With Rodney:1996 Topps Laser

Die cut and unique, yes please!

Today's Rodney Hampton card is just that.

1996 Topps Laser football cards were issued in one series which was made up of 128 cards. The cards are all etch foil stamped and die cut. The players name and team are etched in foil down the side of the card while the other 2/3rds of the card is the featured player.

The back of the card has the etching from the front and lots of red and a small player photo. There isn't much in terms of on-the-field stats, but does breakdown other stats.

Random Card On My Desk: 2014 Donruss Press Proof Derek Jeter

Year: 2014

Brand: Donruss

Team: NY Yankees 

Card Type: Parallel

Card Numbered:182/199

Sorting: Will be placed in a top loader with BV above $20 

I don't usually pull Derek Jeter too often when it comes to parallels/inserts, but lucked out in a hobby box of Donruss with this one.

SCC 4YR CONTEST WINNER! (Notes too)

Well, that was fun. The combo of people spreading the word earning extra entries and just regular entries gave the SCC 4-Yr contest a total of 36 entries. Not my biggest contest, but one of the better ones. Thank you.

I have enjoyed reading ALL of the great feedback and appreciate the kind words from some as well. I can't believe the turnout on Random Card On My Desk as the main missed segment. The second most missed was Reminiscing 90's. With so much want for these both compared to other segments, I have decided that both of these segments will.....MAKE A RETURN! However, there will be a few slight improved changes to both of them. You will see that today in a new Random Card On My Desk later. These segments have been brought back, but won't be every day and will fall into a cycle with others.

Another thing I wanted to clear up was the yard sale pickups segment. That hasn't gone away, it was the people who used to have the yard sale that has. I tried all of last year to hunt down that huge sale I went to it every year bringing home the masses for under $20 and it seemed from my research that the people moved far away. I didn't know them that well personally to stay in touch but knew their names. Let's hope I can find a new yard sale or that the people didn't really move and took a year off.

Anyways, a big month of March giveaways comes to a close with the final giveaway being the biggest of them all. Which that one winner takes home a pretty sweet lot.

Here is the results after 7 randoms....

There were 36 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1. Daniel Wilson
2. defgav
3. Roger Miller
4. Itsa Hitson
5. Dave Kaltenmark
6. Brad Jorgensen
7. Twitch
8. CaptKirk42
9. Tracy LeVeaux
10. Fuji
11. Trevor P
12. GRADY M
13. Scott N.
14. @EEFFL
15. Matthew Chrisman
16. Swing And A Pop-up
17. Matthew Chrisman
18. gcrl
19. Jon
20. Roger Miller
21. Scott N.
22. skunkman
23. Jon
24. Josh D
25. J-Mac
26. Superduperman99
27. Jeff
28. the bowl cut kid
29. Trevor P
30. The Lost Collector
31. Stephen Furlong
32. cynicalbuddha
33. Adam Kaningher
34. defgav
35. Daniel Wilson
36. Ozsportsfan

Timestamp: 2016-04-02 10:18:14 UTC, IP: 72.169.80.99
You have randomized this list 7 times.

Congrats to Daniel Wilson!! Please email me your address to sportcardcollectors@hotmail.com with the subject line, SCC4YR and I will try to get your package out as soon as I can. I will also pass your address on to BCW Supplies. You will have 48 hours from now to claim. If not claimed, it will be re-given away in a future contest.

Thanks to everyone who entered. Look for more contests in the future and please make sure you drop a thank you to Panini America and BCW Supplies for their support!

Mail Day Saturday:Reader's Mail Day Part 2:Odds&Ends

Last segment of Mail Day Saturday, I shared Part 1 of reader Grady M's packed box of goodies. Today is part 2 of what was hiding within and there are still two more parts after this!

Up first we find ourselves looking at some NBA inserts including big names like Jerry West, Pete Maravich and the one and only, Larry Bird.

Donruss Scoring Kings inserts. Dirk!

The last season of Kobe and this is my first card addition of his in some time. I should probably pick up a few others before he steps away.

There was even some NASCAR in there. Even though they are not in existence anymore, you simply just gotta appreciate what Press Pass brought to trading cards. They were spot on every time.

 

And to be completely honest, these base cards for Topps WWE look awesome. The color scheme and sparkle background is what entertainment is all about.

 

Not too shabby of a mail day so far. But, things get even better after today. Stay tuned for next Saturday's Part 3.

CONTEST REMINDER SCC 4-YEAR!!!

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY SPORT CARD COLLECTORS 4-YEAR BLOGVERSARY CONTEST THAT ENDS TODAY!!! WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED TOMORROW!!!

ENTER RIGHT HERE:
http://sportcardcollectors.blogspot.com/2016/03/contest-sport-card-collectors-4-year.html

GOOD LUCK TO ALL THAT ENTER!!

Collectin' Griffey:1995 Collectors Choice A.L. HR Champ

In this new segment, I thought to go along with my Rodney Hampton posts on Sundays, that I would also take apart my Griffey collection (my biggest PC) and get some of my favorite cards from that PC posted up too.

Up first, this has gotta be one of my favorite base cards. The 1995 Collectors Choice. I must also say thank you the biggest Griffey collector I know for this addition a few months ago, The Junior Junkie.

First off, no border full color photography and Upper Deck at its best. Secondly, that is one lucky lady sitting there. She was the winner of the 1994 "You Crash The Game" contest where she not only got to meet Ken Griffey Jr. but also got to be on his base cards with him. If you look closely she is wearing a very "classic" Upper Deck hat and shirt.

The closest I ever got to Griffey, was back in 1998 when the Red Sox played the Mariners. I had the opportunity of going to the game and even though my seats weren't the best (I was in right field), I still got to see my childhood idol play. On that day he went 1-3, 2 walks and the one hit which was a double that hit the wall near me. The Mariners dominated for most of the game leading 7-2 in the 9th only to lose it by giving up 7 runs in that final inning that included a monster game winning Grand Slam HR by Mo Vaughn.

I was also lucky that day too because Randy Johnson was on the mound so I got to see two Hall Of Famers on the field. Let me tell you what, if you haven't ever seen that guy in person, just picture the Green Giant with long hair. Holy moly, he was tall!

Anyways, back to the cardboard.

The back of the card is a great example of how a base card back should be done. Well balanced with player name, photo, stats, and write up. This was a great year design on Colletors Choice as a whole.

 

How many of you got to see Griffey play? Meet him? Thoughts on the base card?