The 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville will forever be remembered as the Connor Bedard draft. The collecting world was watching closely and Upper Deck had a big presence as the sponsor of the event. But as I was watching everything unfold on TV and through a couple of days of grinding NHL Network Radio on Sirius XM, I started to think about how it was the 20th anniversary of the … [Read more...] about 2023 Event Marked 20th Anniversary Of First NHL Draft Hockey Card Show
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Luis Arraez Run At .400 Brings Back Memories Of Tony Gwynn
On June 16, Luis Arraez went five-for-five as his surging Miami Marlins beat the Washington Nationals. Arraez got more attention three nights later, when he went five-for-five again. It was the third time in June Arraez had collected five hits, joining Dave Winfield, Ty Cobb and George Sisler as the only players in baseball with three five-hit games in the same calendar … [Read more...] about Luis Arraez Run At .400 Brings Back Memories Of Tony Gwynn
Pacific Trading Cards Founder Mike Cramer Set to Release Book
If it's not the greatest book ever written about the sports card hobby and industry, there has certainly never been another one like it. Former Pacific Trading Cards President and CEO Mike Cramer has written a book that chronicles his life as a collector and how he built a sports card manufacturing company and became one of the most important people in the history of the … [Read more...] about Pacific Trading Cards Founder Mike Cramer Set to Release Book
XFL: Why I Still Love He Hate Me
If you are a football junkie – for me that term would be an understatement – 2023 will go down as the year where the offseason last only five days. The XFL kicked off Saturday with four games over the first weekend. The football fan in me was completely stoked to turn on the games and check out the new league. The collector in me made me do a deep dive into the league and … [Read more...] about XFL: Why I Still Love He Hate Me
Remembering Don West: The Ultimate Hobby Pitch Man
The world of sports collectibles has lost a true icon and a larger-than-life personality. Don West, the longtime pitchman of sports card packages on Shop at Home TV, passed away Dec. 30 at the age of 59. He had been battling brain lymphoma for about a year and a half. Perhaps Don is more well known as the commentator for TNA Impact Wrestling. If it was humanly possible … [Read more...] about Remembering Don West: The Ultimate Hobby Pitch Man
When Pinnacle Imploded At The NHL Draft
The NHL Draft is a big day on the calendar for the hockey collector. Montreal will be buzzing with fans and collectors this weekend as Upper Deck once again plays a major role as title sponsor. When I look back on my time in the industry, probably the best thing I was responsible for was the annual card and collectibles show at the draft. It’s nothing to gloat about, though, … [Read more...] about When Pinnacle Imploded At The NHL Draft
How 9/11 Brought the Hobby to a Temporary Standstill
I still remember that day minute-by-minute. If you were alive at the time, chances you do, too. How could 20 years go by so quickly? I was living near Seattle at the time, and my job at Pacific Trading Cards required me to travel about once or twice a month. When I had to go to New York, I always stayed at the World Trade Center Marriott. If you had ever been to the twin … [Read more...] about How 9/11 Brought the Hobby to a Temporary Standstill
NHL Hobby Draft Busts of the Last 20 Years
The NHL Draft is always a date that hockey collectors circle on the calendar. Pundits and analysts will try to grade the draft – who were the winners, who were the losers, and who graded a B-minus or a C. Of course, there is no way of knowing how any draft plays out for at least a few years. The NHL Draft is not like the NFL or NBA Drafts. In those leagues, players go … [Read more...] about NHL Hobby Draft Busts of the Last 20 Years
Music Loses an Icon, Hobby Loses a Celebrity Collector
Music may have lost a legend recently, but the hobby lost one of its most passionate celebrity collectors. B.J. Thomas passed away on May 29, 2021, less than a week after publicly announcing that he had Stage 4 lung cancer. Thomas was a musical icon of the last half century. His career really took off with his 1966 million-selling cover of Hank Williams’ “I’m So … [Read more...] about Music Loses an Icon, Hobby Loses a Celebrity Collector
Panini Channels 1990s for Revolution Basketball
If your collecting habits run old school but not that old school, an upcoming basketball card product might catch your eyes. It’ll certainly keep them busy. With a release date of March 23, 2015-16 Panini Revolution Basketball is a throwback to the same brand issued across multiple sports by Pacific Trading Cards back in the 1990s. Panini now owns the rights to the various … [Read more...] about Panini Channels 1990s for Revolution Basketball