Underdog

*it wouldn't be cards over coffee without having both cards and coffee, so here we go*

Being an underdog means being someone or something that is thought to have little to no chance at winning something. 

Or it may also mean you are watching a cartoon dog from the 60's fight crime. 

I prefer the latter of the two. That was a great cartoon.

But underdog will soon be the role I will be playing again....once again, not the cartoon dog. I wished.

*takes a sip*

I have had another one of "those years" but haven't really posted anything about it on here like last year.

For today's post, I will recap the year up to this point and fill in parts I haven't touched on yet and maybe some I have a little.

1. Back in March, I was diagnosed with Diabetes. It's something that runs on both sides of my family and I figured at some point it would catch up with me, and it did. My A1C at that time was 6.8 and a three month check in after diagnosis and a weekly shot brought me back down to 5.5.

2. Back in May, my sister-in-law and nephew came for a visit, and we played some wiffle ball. Being the sports guy I am, I couldn't let this fly ball just float and hit the ground, instead I did a long reach to try and catch it and felt a "pop". So, after a couple months of PT and pain, I was told to have an MRI and I went today. The results fortunately weren't as bad as I thought they could be, I do have shoulder bursitis and tendonitis. I will know my treatment plan next week.

3. I have been having some bowel issues the last couple of months and my heartburn has returned so I spoke with my Gastro doctor who suggested I get a Colonoscopy and Endoscopy done. I will be having that done in November. I heard colonoscopy's are a blast (yes pun intended)

4. On top of this, I am getting my hernia repaired at the end of September just to make sure that isn't part of the problem for my stomach. I will be out from lifting for 4-6 weeks. This is the hernia I had last year that I should have already had fixed.

5.Other issues have kept arriving as well such as broken cars, dead washing machine and a fridge a week later which has made it tough both on finances and the hobby.

6. I have started writing again for Bags Unlimited after a ten-year hiatus. I will be doing one article a month.

And finally, the latest news. If you follow me on Twitter, you will already know what I am going to say.

After almost 25 years away from school and at the age of 42....I am going back to get a degree and hope to graduate by 2028 with an associate's degree in Design and Media Studies.

I have never gone to college in any form so all of this will be new to me.

The easiest comparison is to Billy Madison or Rodney Dangerfield in Back To School. That's how I feel. I will be online and go, "hey kids" with my hat on backwards, holding a skateboard wearing the "cool clothes".

*takes a sip with a cane nearby, well not really, it's a pencil*

All courses I will be taking will be online and there will be a lot for me to figure out as an "old man".

I will certainly be an underdog in this situation overall between health problems and figuring out my direction.

I could be Kurt Warner level underdog with everything against me.

2001 Pacific Crown Royale Cramers Choice Jumbo Award Game Used Relic

But this latest mail day, featuring Kurt Warner, reminds me that no matter the odds against you, the underdogs can come out on top.

Kurt Warner's personal story of triumph is something I should follow. He had the odds against him, but yet, he triumphed his way to the top being led by faith. If you don't know Kurt's story from grocery store employee to Super Bowl MVP, go Google it. It's a worthy read.

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post*

As you read this you may also be asking, why go back to school now. Well, I want to be the first in my family to graduate college or even go and I want to prove I can overcome my underdog story.

What this also means is that this could be my last post for a while which is why I have been absent. I need to finish signing up for classes, getting that article done and classes begin for me on September 2nd.

Hopefully I will find time to post in-between classes but life, classes and coaching 3rd-4th girls' basketball this fall/winter comes first. Then posting blog articles. I am also deep into a HUGE sorting and purging project in my collection. More details on that in my next post...whenever that may be.

Also, before I officially close out today's post, I need to thank Johnny's Trading Spot for a recent mail day. They post will be coming up next as well. Once again, there will be a delay, but I hope to hit Johnny back with a mail day of his own before that happens.

*takes a final sip for a while*

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Don't forget you can start to nominate cards for the 2025 Coffee Card Hall Of Fame!! Cards don't have to be autographs, patch cards, super star cards. It can be whatever you think is Hall Worthy! Find details and current nominations HERE.

Coffee With Alec Baldwin

Another hot day here. Feeling quite Schweddy today.

Hopefully I don't end up with some Schweddy.....

Well, use your own imagination there.

One of my favorite sketches ever on SNL has to be the Scweddy Balls skit with Alec Baldwin.

So, guess what....

 

I added his autograph.

He was also great in Beetlejuice (take note that I posted one of his co-stars autograph Geena Davis a few days ago), his narration in Thomas and Friends, voice acting in Boss Baby, and let's not forget an underrated film, Cat In The Hat. Even though Cat In The Hat had a lot of negative reviews, if you watch the movie as an adult and understand the adult humor in it, you will enjoy it. I promise.

Pretty happy with this addition, we won't talk about the recent controversy surrounding him. Let's just talk about all of the Schweddy-ness instead.

I hope everyone has a great Friday.

In comments today, tell me your favorite SNL skit and what your favorite Alec Baldwin movie or television show is.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Don't forget you can start to nominate cards for the 2025 Coffee Card Hall Of Fame!! Cards don't have to be autographs, patch cards, super star cards. It can be whatever you think is Hall Worthy! Find details and current nominations HERE.

The Blogger National 2025

*sits down, takes a sip of coffee. opens keyboard, begins to type today's newest post*

The last three years I have posted a Blogger National for those of us who can't enjoy the experience of actually being at the The National Sport Collectors Convention. That way we can still connect with one another without spending the big bucks to do so. Though I would love to sit down, have a cup of coffee and talk cards with you.

*takes a sip, tips mug towards computer screen hoping you will return the favor*

I am right on time with posting this year's Blogger National, so I am hoping you all will participate in this blog bat-around.

What is the Blogger National? Well, it's a blog-bat-around where you just take one post (or multiple if you so choose) in the next few days and dedicate it to showing off your coolest cards or your most favorite cards or a recent mail day you hadn't posted yet using the blog post title, The Blogger National 2025.

I want you to try to find the cards that are show worthy to you. You know, the dazzling cards that would attract all of the people over to your table (blog).

For example, I am showing off today all of my recent Ken Griffey Jr additions that I am sure will add a sparkle to your eye.

Come check out my table,

 

Now if these didn't catch your attention, I would tell you to move on to the next table. But, I am sure they made you stand over mine for a while drinking hopefully coffee and talking to me about them.

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post*

I am hopeful many of you will join in on this. Usually my Blog-Bat-Arounds go nowhere but maybe this one will catch your attention. Last year was no to very little turnout but I am trying again!

And for those of you who read this and don't have a blog, feel free to post your cards on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Bluesky, YouTube,) and use the hashtag (and tag me if you want), #TheBloggerNational2025. I will be on the lookout for that hashtag on all social media platforms. Well, except TikTok. I haven't joined that at all yet and don't plan to.

Hope everyone has a great time with this and you can leave your blog link in comments so I can read it as well!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Don't forget you can start to nominate cards for the 2025 Coffee Card Hall Of Fame!! Cards don't have to be autographs, patch cards, super star cards. It can be whatever you think is Hall Worthy! Find details and current nominations HERE.

A Legendary Autograph And Follow

I feel really bad for those who didn't grow up in the 80's and 90's, or at least have lived through them, because they have missed out on some legends of every game.

I would say a good 80%, if not higher, players from that time are the Mount Rushmore of their positions/sports.

When I think baseball, I think Ken Griffey Jr. The swing, the home runs, the incredible outfield plays, the no steroids in a steroid era. 

When I think hockey, it's the Great One, Wayne Gretzky. Yeah, his goal record was just broken by Alex Ovechkin, but Gretzky was a champion and still owns plenty of other records.

When I think basketball, it's Michael Jordan. I don't think any one player has ever dominated a sport like MJ. Go ahead argue with me on that one. The closest you could come to is Joey Chestnut and the sport of eating isn't a real sport.

And when I think of football, yeah there is Tom Brady but look at some of the controversy that comes with him, but did any player dominate the sport like the one from Detroit? Barry Sanders played on some really bad Lion's teams, but that dude could ball despite what was around him. Who else can take a ten-yard loss and turn it into an 55-yard gain? NOBODY. Find another player that could run like that without turning on your Playstation and using the cheat codes.

There isn't one.

For me, he was the GOAT. 

Some of you may be like, "aren't you a Rodney Hampton fan?". Absolutely and Rodney had some great seasons, but there was nothing like watching the smooth-running style of Barry Sanders. Watching it in slow-motion is even more incredible.

I sometimes imagine what it would have been like if he hadn't retired early. Can you imagine the records he would have broken? But I also get retiring early to protect your body and never having a down season.

It was a GOAT move.

So, when I entered Barry's autograph on Twitter giveaway for the billionth time, I almost had an aneurysm when I found out he not only followed me but also announced me as one of his winners for a signed photo.

 

It's real^^^^^^^Look^^^^^I still can't believe it!!!

And a week later...

 

This arrived! How cool is that?!

Thanks Barry! I appreciate the autograph! This will be hitting the mancave shortly!

This had got to be one of the coolest moments in my life, definitely by far for Twitter. A follow from the legend and his autograph.

If you are reading this today and am like who in the world is Barry Sanders? I would look him up on YouTube if I was you. I promise you won't be disappointed! The only disappointment is the fact you didn't know who he was to begin with and see what you missed out on.

It's getting late but had to keep my ten-day streak alive of posting (which technically is dead now since it's publishing after midnight when I was trying to finish it before). I am dead tired now and going to bed.

Good Night!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Coffee With Geena Davis

I am going to be honest, I love sports, but I am no sports movie fan.

There are very few sports movies I enjoy and watch time and time again. I just feel like most sports movies are beating the same old storyline into the ground. Someone rises up from a tough life and becomes some superstar. Been there, seen that.

I like movies that are a little outside of that.

So, my favorites are on a very short list. Well, three I would consider classics I could watch time and time again.

The Sandlot-Comedy, a giant beast and backyard baseball like I used to play with my friends. Boy, I miss those days.

 Little Giants-a bunch of "losers" get together and play football against some all-pros. Some laughter and the legendary actors of Rick Moranis and Ed O'Neill (need both autos still). Childish humor, but solid for this childish adult.

And then comes the sports movie with probably the most famous one-liner that everyone will know.

A League Of Their Own. A comedy/drama loaded with big names, great story and the classic line, "There's NO crying in baseball!!"

 

And I picked up the autograph of who I consider to be the star of the show. Well, on the field, Geena Davis who has also been in a ton of other big movies like Beetlejuice, Thelma And Louise and the Stuart Little movies just to name a few.

Davis plays Dottie Hinson who went from waiting for her husband to return from the war to the super star catcher on the field. Everyone laughed at the thought of a women's baseball league after World War II threatened to shut down the MLB season, but things changed quickly once the girls started to play led by the popularity of Dottie. It kind of reminds me of the WNBA. They had no fans, were probably about to close up shop then Caitlin Clark comes in and drives revenue up by selling out arenas.

Interesting.

Another thing I thought was cool about the movie and Geena, is that I read somewhere that she performed some of her own stunts in the movie including the famous "split catch". That's pretty cool.

There is just a lot of moments in the movie and the story is one that kept my attention. I like also the mix of humor and drama. It may actually rank as my favorite sports movie of the three. Don't tell anyone this ;)

In comments, let me know some of your favorite sports movies, your favorite Geena Davis film, and if you liked or have seen A League Of Their Own.

Hope everyone has a great night or morning depending on when you are reading this.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Don't forget you can start to nominate cards for the 2025 Coffee Card Hall Of Fame!! Cards don't have to be autographs, patch cards, super star cards. It can be whatever you think is Hall Worthy! Find details and current nominations HERE.

Unfinished Cup:1996 Zenith Noteworthy

I have so, so, so (times this by infinity) sets that I need to finish up.

There are some that are so close that I need to just finish so I can cross them off and move onto the next. But, instead, I end up adding more sets to that chase.

What is wrong with me?

While I wait for analysis on that question, I will show off another set that I need to finish that I am only a few cards away from completion on.

 

1996 Zenith was one of my favorite products to rip in the 90's. The inserts were stunning; the base cards were the best I have ever seen (this was before Spx hologram ones) and it felt like high quality all around.

With so much opening of it back then, I began to piece together some sets I wanted to chase including the base. I will post those numbers at some point. I finished up the 1996 Zenith Z-Team which was one of the best designed ones of the Z-Team run. Which now leads me to wanting to finish up the Noteworthy insert.

Noteworthy captured noteworthy performance numbers from the previous season. These inserts fell 1:12 packs and is an 18-card set.

I have officially narrowed it down to just four cards needed and here they are:

1996 Zenith Noteworthy

3,6,13,15

If any of you have these, please hit me up at sportcardcollectors@hotmail.com. Thanks in advance!

Hope everyone has a great Saturday and once again, thanks for any help.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

This Mail Day Was Rocky

*sits down in day surgery waiting room for his wife, has chocolate milk by side instead of coffee since couldn't find the decaf. this will be a long morning*

One of my favorite threads on X, hate calling it that, is Tuesday's Non-Sport buy, sell, trade thread as my collection leans more towards collecting a lot more non-sport.

I will spend a good ten minutes weekly scrolling through to see if anything catches my eye. Sometimes I will go back the next day and look just to double check.

It may say Buy, Sell, Trade on the thread name, but most of that thread is all about the SELLING aspect (my finances are not in order to do any buying), but there are some fellow collectors on there as well who still enjoy a good ole fashioned trade.

This past week's edition after a couple of weeks of finding nothing I needed or wanted to contact anyone about, @GCRTtravelers posted out a piece I had to have for my nostalgic collection.

It was a Mighty Morphin Power Rangers autograph piece from the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Movie.

 

The autograph featured on the piece is from the second Red Ranger on the show Rocky DeSantos. The piece is signed by the actor Steve Cardenas.

It didn't take long after contacting @GCRTtravelers , that he and I came to a trade agreement and within two quick days the piece was in my hands.

That's the kind of trade I like!

Thanks again to @GCRTtravelers for the trade and for not making it a real "rocky" experience! I hope others on that thread jump on trading more as well. I think it would be a great experience for all.

*takes a sip of chocolate milk before finishing up today's post. needs coffee for sure after wife is done small procedure*

This is the second autograph in my Mighty Morphin Power Rangers collection. My other one is Jason David Frank who was my favorite on the show. His is signed on an action figure from the Mighty Morphin movie. My next big want is Kimberly. I need my childhood crushes autograph and found out she doesn't do TTM so will have to find another route.

I hope everyone has a fantastic Friday full of coffee...and cards. 

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Don't forget you can start to nominate cards for the 2025 Coffee Card Hall Of Fame!! Cards don't have to be autographs, patch cards, super star cards. It can be whatever you think is Hall Worthy! Find details and current nominations HERE.