The Origins Of A Cardboard Addict:Happy Mother's Day

It's Mother's Day. The day we celebrate all of the Moms of the world for all of their hard work in our lives.

It has taken me many years to realize that a Mom doesn't have to be just someone who birthed you. There can be other forms of Moms that have no bloodline to you such is the case growing up for me with my friend Brian's Mom or as I call her, Mom.

When Brian's father didn't want friends over, she would sneak me over. When she knew I needed a break from my own family to keep some sanity, she would take me on a quick shopping trip. When I needed a ride to football practice when my father was working she was there. When I needed someone to talk to, she was there and still is today. She checks up on me when I am sick. Is the first one who texts me Happy Birthday, Happy Easter, etc. And she has provided me some of my youth photos on here as my parents didn't take many and she did. If this doesn't make her a Mom, then I don't know what a Mom is.

Then of course there is my mother in law who buys me cards, will occasionally grab me some lunch when my wife is at work and is always willing to help run errands when we are busy. Once again, a Mom.

When it comes to my birth mother or known as my Mom, we were close when I was growing up but not so much today. She honestly is a bit of an odd duck, but she is still my mother and I still love her.

And every time I come across an Emmitt Smith card, I think of her and the memories attached. Mostly of her dancing around the room when Emmitt used to kill the Giants by himself when they faced each other. Those were some long afternoons and some crazy Monday Night football blowouts.

 

She has always been a huge Cowboys fan and still is. I am glad I didn't follow her sports interests. One of her favorite players on the Cowboys has always been Emmitt Smith. It was the love of her life at the time.So when my father and I would find his cards in packs, she sniffed them out and wanted them. It kind of made her become an offset collector even though she despised collecting overall as I have stated on here many times. But, my father and I took advantage of her love of Emmitt as an opening for us to occasionally be able to purchase cards in front of her and not always behind her back without her "consent".

I think she had up to 100 different Emmitt cards before I moved out and believe she held on to many of them up until recently when she handed them all back to my father as her interests were more towards horse figurines now.

I kind of wished I had some of them back. Especially the ones I remember using to "bribe" her with to get other cards. One at the time even had a Beckett book value of $25 which was a lot back then but I think I was able to go to a card show because of it  so it was a good trade off.

So as I type this today, I am thinking about her and not just with cards either. She was the one who got me my first Darkwing Duck toy. She was the one who would make me fried eggs,potatoes and coffee (something I probably shouldn't have had at age 7 but did) for breakfast at 4am while my father was farming and we would just sit and play a game of war. She always made sure I had something for supper even though I grew up with the eat what's on your plate or get nothing deal. And I remember watching all of the horror movies, Ernest movies and some afternoon cartoons when I got home from school. I treasure all of those moments and it makes me forget about the not so great ones.

To all of my Moms today, Happy Mothers Day. I also wanted to take a minute out to say Happy Mother's Day to all of the Moms out there who are reading this. Not just the birth moms but the oneswho are moms to others.

Rodney's Corner:1995 Score Promotional

Another day, another Rodney.

Recently my Rodney Hampton collection has been growing with help from myself and especially my friends. Friends like Wes who recently sent some along that filled some needed gaps. The lot even included a couple of cards I have never seen before.

Like today's. I didn't even have a 1995 Score Promotional card listed on my big Rodney Hampton checklist so I never knew this even existed.

 

It's simply the same Score front as the regular released base card

 

but features the big words PROMOTIONAL written across the back of the card.

I like adding in cards I haven't seen or am familiar with.

 

Speaking of being familiar and unfamiliar with. Here is a compilation of commercial breaks from 1995 I think you will enjoy and bring you back. Some of these I remember well, others I don't. Let me know which ones you do.

The Origins Of A Cardboard Addict:Mighty Max!

The 80's and 90's had some of the greatest cartoons known to man. It was an era of super heroes that all of us should recognize with some we may have forgotten about and maybe even some we haven't heard of.

Boy, do I miss cartoon days.

So it was 1993 and a new hero was about to be unleashed on my TV. That heroes name, Mighty Max!

Here is the introduction theme song to the show.

Mighty Max came out in September of 1993 and lasted for two seasons ending in 1994....sadly.
The series follows Max, an adventurous preteen boy who is contacted with a mysterious package that contained a small statue of a fowl that had Egyptian hieroglyphs on it which stated "You have been chosen to be the cap-bearer. Go to the mini-mart and wait for a sign, Mighty Max".

Max ends up dropping the statue which breaks revealing a red baseball cap with a Yellow M on it which for some reason or another he picks up and puts on. What Max doesn't realize is that the cap has the capability of transporting him across space and time. It doesn't take long for him to find it out when he ends up going to the mini-mart and is chased by an evil lava monster which the hat teleports him to the Mongolian desert where he meets his "master" Virgil and his assistant Norman.

With Virgil and Norman by his side, Max travels the world defending earth against the minions of Skullmaster who was voiced by the very talented Tim Curry. Most of the episodes follow Max battling one of the villains but there were plenty of episodes where Skullmaster would show up to try and battle Max himself. Which the final episode was a big battle between Skullmaster and Max.

With most TV shows at the time, there of course was a toy line to go along with it. It doesn't seem to be that way today as most kids would rather prefer electronic versions of toys. It's a sad world we live in.

At the time of Mighty Max, there was a girls line of toys known as Polly Pockets which were these handheld playsets with mini figures within to use in the playset. My sister had a few of them herself. Well, with Max traveling to so many locations, Mattel came out with their own line similar to the Polly Pockets but with Mighty Max line that were individual playsets with Max and villain figures within.

Of course being a huge fan of the show, I wanted every single set. But, coming from a poor family, it wasn't going to happen. I did end up getting one set even though I begged for months for the one I really wanted, Skull Dungeon.

Like the rest of my nostalgic toys, that one set was sold off. So with some help from my friend @Jake1725, I was able to grab the set from my childhood to own once again.

The set features the episode from Season 2 of Scorpio Rising. Max and gang find a crazed nuclear scientist who plans to use giant mutated scorpions to rule the earth.

Here is the outside of the playset

Nuclear Scientist

Our hero!

Playset inside

Max ready to battle!

Trying to defend his lair!

It was pretty cool to hold one of these in my hands again. The toy itself was 25 plus years old so it has been awhile. The great thing about this set that you don't find often on eBay was the fact it was reasonably priced and came as a complete set. Usually those don't go hand in hand with these. Sometimes the Max figure alone can cost what this set went for and it's also in mint condition.

Here is the commercials for the Mighty Max figures.

The show also was so popular that McDonald's came out with their own line of playsets but it wasn't as cool as they mainly came with the playset and one figure. I did own one of those as well but it wasn't quite the same as owning a real set.

I spent a lot of time in 1993-1994 wishing to become Mighty Max and with lots of imaginative play it brought me there. Today, I wished that statue would show up at my door so I can drop it and reveal the same hat. Except I would be Mighty Matt! Kinda catchy isn't it? I would use that hat to time travel and save Saturday Morning cartoons and the sport card hobby from what it all has become today. It would also be kinda sweet to battle Skullmaster to honestly and bring back 3D Doritos.

REVIEW:Cryptozoic Rick And Morty Trading Cards Season 2+GIVEAWAYS!!

After a succesful Season 1 release from Cryptozoic, they have come out with a Season 2 release of the Adult Swim's popular show Rick and Morty.

Once again let's travel across the universe and revisit Season 2's favorite episodes and more.

wubba lubba dub dub

Each box of Cryptozoic's Rick and Morty season 2 comes with 24 packs of 5 cards each. There should be two random hits per box most likely one autograph and one sketch. But, with Cryptozoic, they sometimes like to add in a few surprises in boxes. Boxes started out over $100 each but most can be found around $90 or less now.

The base set looks great and is high gloss like you would expect from Cryptozoic. There are 45 cards in the set to collect.  Each base card features episodic images from the season.

 The card backs features a quote from the episode it features on the front.

 I would assume in every box you would get a base card set as I did. It's usually the norm with a Cryptozoic product.

There are base card parallels to find as well. I didn't find any info on the odds of landing them but I got roughly 6 in the break so I would guess 1:4 on the foil (was hard to capture that with my camera phone)

And here is a gold foil stamp parallel. There is a stamp up in the right hand corner.

Now onto the inserts or as they call them in this set, chase sets. Surprisingly, unlike products past I was nowhere near collecting the chase sets full sets in one box. It would definitely take more than one to do so or pick up singles to fill in your needs.

Overall there are 7 to chase.

 Face The Music has 9 cards and fall 1:3 packs.

Interdimensional Cable II  falls 1:3 packs and has 12 cards in the set.

 Characters falls 1:3 packs and has 12 cards to chase. I really liked the design on these.

I can't remember a time I saw die cut cards in a Cryptozoic product, but I like it! These Crimes Of Rick Sanchez falls 1:6 odds and has 12 cards to collect.

 Beth Knows Best falls 1:6 packs and has 9 cards to collect.

Now onto some stickers fun. They are not only stickers, but serve as a puzzle on their backside as well. Fun collectible.

 One design

 Second design

Now onto the pulls from my box. Overall sketch cards and autograph cards fall 1:24 packs each.

 Look at this amazing 1/1 Sketch card! What a beauty!

And my autograph is of Tress Macneille who voices the Caretaker. Al autographs are on card which is awesome. Many have inscriptions on them as well. I just happened to pull the one that doesn't.

Here is the overall look at signers,

• Justin Roiland as Mr. Poopybutthole, Cromulon, Eyeholes Man
• Sarah Chalke as Beth Smith, Plushy Beth, Xenobeth, Goddess Beth
• Spencer Grammer as Summer Smith
• Tara Strong as Tinkles, Doctor
• Keith David as The President, Reverse Giraffe
• Tricia Helfer as Donna Gueterman, Federation Robot
• Tress MacNeille as Caretaker, Roy's Mother
• Kurtwood Smith as General Nathan
• Gary Cole as Alien Doctor
• Alan Tudyk as Chris
• Kevin Michael Richardson as Mrs. Refrigerator, Frankenstein, Hamurai
• Cassie Steele as Tammy Gueterman
• John Kassir as Blim Blam
• Gary Anthony Williams as Assilimated Alien #4, Business Alien

Some great signers in there. I really wanted a Chalke, Strong, Smith or Cole.

Other hits not found in my box include,

• Printing Plates fall 1:424 packs
• Totally Fabricated Memorabilia cards. I believe those fall 1:60 packs.
• CZ STR PWR - Red falls 1:144 packs
• CZ STR PWR - Blue falls 1:288 packs
• CZ STR PWR - Gold is /25
• CZ STR PWR - Black is a 1/1

OVERALL THOUGHTS: If you are a fan of the show, you will totally dig these trading cards. The autograph checklist is also very strong and there is some cool innovative totally fabricated cards to land as well along with the other hits.

It covers As Morty once said, "Nobody exists on purpose. Nobody belongs anywhere. We’re all going to die. Come watch TV." or in this case, come break a box of these.

Now onto the CONTESTS. Yes, plural!

First, the one on Twitter. RT my review of this product, have a U.S. shipping address for a chance to win this,

  

Second contest, comment below (also have a U.S. shipping address) with your thoughts on this product and have a shot to win this,

 

RANDOM WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN AT SOME POINT. USUALLY AFTER A FEW DAYS.

Please take a minute out to thank Cryptozoic for this box to me to review and do these amazing giveaways with. Please visit them on all social medial platforms and check out their website, HERE

Players Of My Past #3:Tino Martinez

While all other Yankee fans I grew up with were immersed in Derek Jeter, I was excited for their first baseman which they acquired in a trade with Seattle.

Tino Martinez was the guy I pretended to be when I was in the backyard with friends playing when I wasn't Ken Griffey Jr. Of course in my play with friends they were teammates. Everyone knew I was Griffey Jr and Tino in pinstripes. If only Griffey could have been a Yankee and got that much needed ring.

There was just something about Tino's play I enjoyed and the fact he had a cool name. Not to mention, he was actually a Yankee.

I always got excited when I found his cards in packs, but he didn't quite catch on collecting wise like Griffey Jr did for me. I did manage to hold onto what I did have of Tino over the years and here are my Top 5 favorite ones from then.

No surprise to me that three of the five come from Upper Deck. They were the best on the market and I bet still would be today if they had a piece of that license.

 

Upper Deck Time Capsule insert.

 Photography is always key with Upper Deck

 and it speaks volumes with a photo like this

Topps Mystery Finest were some of my favorite inserts of the time. I will never get sick of those and still have some that are unpeeled for the fun of it!

And finally, Topps Gold Label. These cards were always beautiful.

Martinez ended up leaving the Yankees after the 2001 season when they brought in Giambi instead for first base and finished his career not so spectacular with the Cardinals, Rays and back with the Yankees before retiring.

Overall though, you can't argue with a career that landed him four World Series rings, two All Star appearances, one silver slugger award, a .271 batting avg with 339 career home runs.

Tino was one of the greats for the Yankees especially in their late 90's dominance. I was glad I was able to watch him among many other amazing players in that same time frame. Especially the ones that played for my team.

REVIEW:2018-2019 Topps Chrome Bundesliga Soccer

Another chrome release??? Um yes please!

This time we take a look at the greats from German football league. This is the first time a Bundesliga product gets its first traditional release to get full distribution in the United States. So should be interesting how that goes.

The format in chrome sticks to the same format as other sport releases. So let's check it out.

In every box of 2018-2019 Topps Chrome Bundesliga soccer has 18 packs of 4 cards per pack. There is one autograph per box and each box costs $55 roughly.

There are 90 cards in the base set with all of the stars. The base card design is riding the wave of the baseball one.

There are lots of parallels to chase as well as you would expect with a chrome product. My box didn't come with any base refractors and was full of color ones instead. There are supposed to be roughly 6 base ones per box but I am not complaining with all this color.

Blue are /150 that fall 1:8 packs

Blue Wave /75 falls 1:15 packs

Green /99 and falls 1:15 packs

Gold /50 that falls 1:29 packs

Orange /25 that falls 1:58 odds.

Other parallels to find are
Red /10, Red Wave /10, and SuperFractor 1/1.

Now time for the inserts. All inserts have the following parallels, Gold /50, Orange /25, Red /10, and SuperFractor 1/1.

Top 11 falls 1:108 and has 11 cards

Superstar Sensations falls 1:5 and has 18 cards to collect

Future Stars falls 1:6 packs and has 18 cards to chase.

And a slight boom of a red parallel that falls 1:717 packs. These are /10 as I stated above and this was a pretty solid player to find by my research.

And my autograph pull. A gold /50.

Other hits to find not in my box include,

• Future Stars Autograph
• Superstar Sensations Autograph
• Top XI Autograph

OVERALL THOUGHTS: It's chrome people!!! Those of us in the hobby will eat this right up and if we are die hard soccer fans and watch this league that's even better. Will be interesting to see how this product does in the U.S. but even though I don't know a lot of the names I still enjoyed breaking this box and finding the ones I do know.

Another way to possibly break this product to try it out without having to pay full box price was to talk a breaker into breaking some.Which I suggest Midwest Box Breaks when you do so.

Please make sure to take a minute out to thank Topps for providing this box for me to review and to be able to add cards to the giveaway on Twitter I am hosting. Please follow me there to enter @SportCardCollec. Also follow Topps on all social media sites and visit their SITE, as well.