Who's uglier??? Vote now...

There's been some great uniforms throughout the years... but there's been some nasty ones as well.

We'll limit ourselves to baseball for now. Remember these? I know you probably tried to forget....

1976 White Sox

1999 Pirates

1979 Padres

 1999 Rockies

1978 Indians

So what do you think? Go over to the sidebar on the right and vote. And no, I'm not posting a picture of the last option. I have a reputation to uphold.

Contest winners!

Time to announce the winners of the contest for a FREE Zinio ezine subscription.

Aside from the 7 winners from the Premier League year long contest, I had three extra slots to give away.

Those three people are...

 

Fan of Reds
Mark Aubrey
Bamlinden

to go along with the 7 previous winners

me!
dayf
dawgbones
commishbob
jackplumstead
Kazi
Chuck's Used Cards

for the three of you who did not get back to me in time to choose your free title.... I chose for you.

You're welcome. I hope you like it. It was tempting to send you Justin Bieber's Fan Club Monthly... but I didn't.
You're welcome.

Expect to see your first issue in your email within the next week.

2013 Topps Baseball Series 2 Variations

this list is more for my use than anything... I'm sure everyone has this already, but I can never find it when I need it, so I'm putting it here where I know it will always be.

#1 Bryce Harper
Regular Version: Rookie Cup
Variation: sunglasses

#6 Ryan Howard
Regular Version: fielding
Variation: signing autographs

#10 Adam Jones
Regular Version: diving
Variation: sunglasses

#11 Yu Darvish
Regular Version: red hat
Variation 1: sunglasses
Variation 2: signing autographs

#22 Clayton Kershaw
Regular Version: pitching
Variation: signing autographs

#26 Chase Utley
Regular Version: batting
Variation: signing autographs

#27 Mike Trout
Regular Version: sliding
Variation 1: signing autographs
Variation 2: sunglasses

#28 Prince Fielder
Regular Version: batting
Variation: sunglasses

#34 Felix Hernandez
Regular Version: throwing
Variation: wearing sunglasses

#55 Tim Lincecum
Regular Version: orange jersey
Variation: wearing sunglasses

#78 Dylan Bundy
Regular Version: pitching
Variation: standing at dugout with fans

#110 Justin Upton
Regular Version: batting
Variation: sunglasses

#122 Andrew McCutchen
Regular Version: batting
Variation: sunglasses

#127 Giancarlo Stanton
Regular Version: batting
Variation: sunglasses

#228 Adrian Gonzalez
 Regular Version: batting
Variation: signing autographs

#242 Matt Kemp
Regular Version: running
Variation: wearing sunglasses

#316 Josh Reddick
Regular Version: fielding
Variation: sunglasses (and one amazing beard)

#331 Jose Reyes
Regular Version: running
Variation: signing autographs

#362 Yoenis Cespedes
Regular Version: Rookie Cup
Variation: sunglasses

#456 Pablo Sandoval
Regular Version: batting
Variation: sunglasses

#595 David Ortiz
Regular Version: batting
Variation: giving speech, "Boston Strong"

#660 Miguel Cabrera
Regular Version: sliding
Variation: glove, sunglasses on head, signing autographs

#661 Hyun-jin Ryu
Regular Version: pitching
Variation: sunglasses

SO there you have it... basically, if you find a card with a pic on it that looks like it belongs in Heritage (Huge close up head shot) but he's wearing cool Oakleys, it's a SP variation. If he's signing autographs, it's a SP variation. If he's wearing shades while signing autographs, it's a SP variation.

And if he's giving the Boston Strong speech, it's Topps trying to cash in and make money off of an unspeakable tragedy.

State of Emergency

Calgary, my home and the third largest city in Canada has declared a state of emergency.

We are underwater. Well, over half the city. Over 200,000 people have been evacuated. All outlying communities within 100 miles are either evacuated or under water.

My home is safe... we bought in an area well above the water table.

It's just as well the Calgary Flames suck right now and missed the playoffs. Can you imagine the Stanley Cup finals being postponed due to flooding?

Apparently, the flood line is just over Row 11 of the seats. We now have Canada's worst hockey rink, but largest indoor swimming pool.

All roads into and out of Calgary are not just closed, but gone. It's almost impossible to go from the South to the North of the city, with only one road still open.

The downtown core (you can see it in the background of the pic) is closed and underwater. Not sure what city you live in, but imagine all of the skyscrapers etc abandoned because of flooding.

One of the big worries is about the Zoo. It's virtually impossible to get to right now. We may end up with an aquarium.

They're hoping the rain stops sometime tomorrow.

the end of ebay bucks, and a CONTEST!

a little while ago, I received a friendly email from our pals, ebay. They were pleased and proud to inform me that the program called ebay bucks was being discontinued in order to serve me better.

 

For those of you not in the know, ebay bucks was a program where ebay gave you back a percentage of your spending every quarter in a form of a ebay gift certificate to be spent on whatever you please.

 

Not having this extra cash to spend will certainly serve me better. No more stressing out over what to buy, or having to deal with all of that free stuff. Thanks ebay! My life is certainly better served.

 

Anyways... they informed me that I had a certain time period in order to spend what bucks I already had in my account.

 

here's some of my loot..... oh, and if you're here because of the word CONTEST in the title, just skip to the end and follow the simple instructions. Free stuff awaits.

 

I was in a football mood, so I hit ebay.uk up first. My Edwin van der Sar collection hadn't been added to in awhile. I remedied that.

 

a 2011 Futera Unique. Futera make great cards... unfortunately, I'm more likely to come across a unicorn than these cards around here. So I must resort to the evil online empire once in awhile.

 

 2007 Futera

 and 2004 Futera. The seller offered me two free cards because of this purchase...

  

 

So I grabbed Manchester United star Ryan Giggs and former Netherlands great, Edgar Davids. I miss watching him play. He was a great Nike commercial many years ago... I must find that and post it.




 


 

two cool cards from the 2008 Euros... team mates van der Sar and van Persie.
These cards have a relief effect and it's done right.

 

 

Finally a couple of shinies from the popular games that are out there. Panini's Adrenalyn XL and Topps' Match Attax.

I've always wanted to play these, but have never found anyone else who wants to. Of course, me being a full grown adult wanting to play kid's games has nothing to do with that I'm sure.

I added a dozen more footy cards besides these... but I'll save those for another day.... maybe.... Thanks for nothing ebay.

EDIT: I guess I should have mentioned that the end of ebay bucks was for Canada only...

Oh yeah, the contest... I have a contest going for free subscriptions to your favourite magazines.
No cost, no catch, no credit card required, please don't bribe me with cash... just skim the previous post, you don't even have to read it, and comment at the bottom. Easy peasy.
Have fun.

Saving the planet.... one e-zine at a time....

The kind, patient folks at Zinio asked me awhile back if I would post about their product to all the wonderful people that hang out around here.

I'm finally getting around to it. It never rains, but it pours, right? It's been one of those months.



Anyways, What is Zinio you might be asking?

Zinio is the world's largest electronic newstand. Thousands of top magazines from all over the world. All on your computer or mobile device.
Pretty sweet.

Now I was always a guy who liked to hold the magazine while reading it. But over time, I switched. Especially with the new phones and tablets... there's no reason anymore to be lugging around a magazine or newspaper.
Not to mention the whole environmentally friendly issue. If we cut out just 10% of our newspaper or magazine production... imagine the trees we could save.

Some other goodies... with Zinio you can browse or buy single issues or subscriptions from wherever you are, whenever you like. Instantly. And using the Explore feature, you can read articles, even without a subscription, and share them with your friends.

Not something I would do, but a cool feature nonetheless.

Want to try a magazine before committing to a year long subscription? Try the new Z Pass. For $5 a month, you have a subcription to three magazines a month. Next month, keep the same three or swap them out for new titles. Now that I might use... I can never make up my mind.


EDIT: Here is a link to take you to Z-Pass.... http://bit.ly/z-pass-ah

Zinio also has specials all of the time. Every month something different is featured. So keep checking back on their site and you might find something you like on sale!


Now for those of you who have sat through my little spiel... I have a reward for you. Zinio has offered up some free subscriptions for my readers. (one less than originally planned as I'm going to keep one for myself)

So we're having a little contest. Well, two contests actually, but one is now over. After the results for the 2012-13 Premier League Contest are posted, I will have three subscriptions left to giveaway.

If you would like a FREE subscription to one of the thousands Zinio offers, all you have to do is go to www.zinio.com and browse through the titles.

Then, leave me a comment here on this post saying you would like one and mention two of the possible titles you may choose. You do NOT have to mention the one you would actually want... that's to decide later IF you win!

You must also leave me your email addy in your comment. This will be the addy I use to contact you should you win. Leave it in the form of myemailaddy AT theinternet DOT com so the spam bots don't get you.

Start shopping and good luck!

Premier League Contest - Match 38

Welcome to the last (probably) weekend of matches. Match 38. To me, that was one quick season.
Many highlights, some lowlights, but a great season all round.

Today's guest...

Thank you Amanda, you may go now....

Not a lot to play for this weekend. Only one lone spot battle for Champion's League play.

Let's look at the table.

Club	Pld	Pts
Man Utd	37	88
Man City	37	78
Chelsea	37	72
Arsenal	37	70
Tottenham	37	69
Everton	37	63
Liverpool	37	58
West Brom	37	48
Swansea	37	46
West Ham	37	43
Stoke	37	41
Norwich	37	41
Newcastle	37	41
Southampton	37	40
Fulham	37	40
Aston Villa	37	40
Sunderland	37	39
Wigan	37	35
Reading	37	28
QPR	37	25

The battle is between Arsenal and Tottenham. There can be only one. heh... Mathematically, Chelsea could be the one to miss out, but they would have to lose to Everton, while Arsenal wins AND Tottenham beats Sunderland by 17 goals.

I wonder what Vegas is giving on those odds. Even IF you won that bet, you'd never collect. Vincent Savino would have you buried under a cactus somewhere near Area 51.

So the eyes will be on Arsenal/Newcastle and Tottenham/Sunderland.  My bet is that both clubs win and the Spurs just miss out yet again.

In other matches, Sir Alex watches over his last game as Manchester United vist The Hawthorns to play West Bromwich Albion.
Elsewhere we say goodbye to Wigan, Reading, and Queen's Park Rangers.
Next season will see new participants Cardiff City, Hull City, and the winner of the Crystal Palace vs Watford match on the 25th.

All matches are on Sunday, so please post your final results on/by Monday evening.

GO United!

OH! I almost forgot. There could be a tie for the final Champion's League position. Should Chelsea draw with Everton, AND Arsenal win by exactly 2 goals, Chelsea and Arsenal will have to play a playoff game to decide the position sometime this coming week at neutral ground. (Villa Park has been chosen)

Example, if Chelsea and Everton draw 1-1, and Arsenal beats Sunderland 3-1, then we will have a tie because the only tie breaker used is goal differential.
Not likely, but still possible.

by popular request.....

at the April trade night, the owner of the shop called me over and handed me this.

 

As most of us know, these box toppers from 2013 Heritage are a wee see-through. For the box he opened for pack sales, he saved this for me for being "the resident Braves guy".

 

Oooohhh..... who could it be? I flipped over to the back, and could see a partial number. 50?

I could only see the first two digits. Could it be #500?? Topps puts stars on those even numbers! Could it be Hank Aaron?!?! Was Hank #500?!??!

 

Open it!!!

 

No.

 

It was not #500.

 

It was not Hank Aaron.

 

It was.....

 

 

A very beat up Bobby Bragan. Card #506
This baby is warped, has a few creases, and has no idea what the word 'corner' means. It's almost oval.

HOWEVER.

I happen to need this card for my Braves team set. So it will fit nicely in my binder until a replacement without that gold shield comes along.

And I think..... card #506 was card #1 of the sixth series of seven in 1964. So it's kind of a high number. Someone may no better... let me know.

Either way, it's ALWAYS a good day to add a '64 Brave to the old collection.
Thanks Darren!

Premier League Contest - Match 37

We be awarding the trophy this weekend. Well, not on this contest, that seems to be going down to the wire.
But in the Premier League, Machester United is playing their last home game of the season, so the trophy, medals, etc, will be awarded on the pitch after their game with Swansea. There will also be a tribute to retiring manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.

I know it's the World Cup.... I'm on a deadline here and couldn't find a good one of the league trophy.

I'm sure you'll forgive me. Most of you probably wouldn't have noticed. Trophy? What trophy?Where?

Anyways.

Let's check the table and see how the qualifications for Champions League is going, as well as Wigan trying to avoid the drop.

Club	Pld	Pts
Man Utd	36	85
Man City	36	75
Chelsea	36	69
Arsenal	36	67
Tottenham	36	66
Everton	36	60
Liverpool	36	55
West Brom	36	48
Swansea	36	46
West Ham	36	43
Stoke	36	41
Fulham	36	40
Aston Villa	36	40
Southampton	36	39
Sunderland	36	38
Norwich	36	38
Newcastle	36	38
Wigan	36	35
Reading	36	28
QPR	36	25

City in purple is confirmed for Champions League.
Light blue is the fight. Three clubs for two spots. However all these clubs are locked in for Europa League.
Dark blue, well, there's always next season.
Yellow, don't relax, one slip and it's the drop for you.
Red, forget it, you're dead.

Games are Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday. So please post your comment by Wednesday lunch at the latest.

Go United!

Premier League Contest - Match 36

Welcome to Match 36!

We've got some great matchups this weekend. So let's take a peek.

 Many different colours on our table today....

Green - we know for sure United has won the Championship.
Light blue - teams battling for Champions League play next season. Only the top four clubs qualify.
Blue - clubs with nothing left to play for but pride
Yellow - Danger zone of getting dropped. But any type of result should see them through.
Orange - Chances are, one of these clubs will be relegated.
Red - it's too late. Turn out the lights. The party's over. Oprah is singing.

Club	Pld	Pts
Man Utd	35	85
Man City	34	71
Chelsea	34	65
Arsenal	35	64
Tottenham	34	62
Everton	35	59
Liverpool	35	54
West Brom	34	48
Swansea	34	42
West Ham	35	42
Fulham	35	40
Stoke	35	40
Southampton	35	39
Norwich	35	38
Sunderland	35	37
Aston Villa	35	37
Newcastle	35	37
Wigan	34	32
QPR	35	25
Reading	35	25

we have some cool matchups this weekend, including Norwich and Aston Villa in a battle to avoid the drop. I think Villa will upset the Canaries.

Matches are throughout the weekend, so please post by Tuesday afternoon.

Go United! 2012-13 Champions!

The colour of the day..... is purple.

Today's post is brought to you by.... the colour purple. And the number 9.
For there are 9 different purple cards I want to show you. Everything made sense when you were a kid. I'm not sure what happens to change all that or why.

Here, we like it simple. Some might call me simple. I've been called worse. But I digress.

I came across an online seller who had a card I wanted. Before buying it, I looked to see what else he had. This is why this post has 9 cards, and not 1.

I, like a lot of you, have a weakness for Topps Chrome coloured parallels. Orange may be my favourite. But if you've been paying attention, you'll know that today, we're talking purple.

Craig Kimbrel. I also have the black version of this card. Still need blue, red, orange, etc... etc..

Brian McCann. This one scans really well.

Tommy Hanson. I miss Tommy. I wonder how's he doing on the left coast? A quick check shows he's leading the Angels in wins and ERA (for starters). Good for you Tommy!

 

Brian Snitker. No. Wait. Dan Uggla.

The entire Braves team. It should be Michael Bourn. Find Jason Heyward.... then look down.

Brandon Beachy. I hope he's back soon.... think how good the first place Braves would be with him back pitching. Woot!

Andrelton Simmons. He threw some guy out at first from the outfield grass while sitting on his butt last night. Awesome.

Tyler PastorIwontplayaslongasAndreltonishealthynicky

and the card that started all of this, my old pal and fave, Adam LaRoche.

Not too shabby for $7.50 shipped.

Now I just have to find the rest of the Braves team set in purple. And Orange. And red... blue... black...

Premier League Contest - Match 35

Welcome to Match 35. As far as the Premier League is concerned, Oprah has sung, the party's over, Manchester United has earned the championship trophy with over a month still to play.

As far as we're concerned, the race is still on.

Being late in the year, I've assembled an All Star squad to help us get through the last few matches.

Pick your favourite, and let's get going.

Just to make it official...

Club	Pld	Pts
Man Utd	34	84
Man City	33	68
Arsenal	34	63
Chelsea	33	62
Tottenham	33	61
Everton	34	56
Liverpool	34	51
West Brom	33	45
Swansea	33	42
West Ham	34	42
Fulham	34	40
Southampton	34	39
Norwich	34	38
Sunderland	34	37
Stoke	34	37
Newcastle	34	37
Aston Villa	34	34
Wigan	33	31
QPR	34	24
Reading	34	24

I've highlighted the teams in blue that are in the race for Champions League status... as you know, top four clubs make it... with them as well as the fifth place finisher also eligible for Europa League play.

All of that means more $$$ in the coffers.

At the bottom of the table, QPR and Reading face off, with the loser being confirmed to relegation. If Aston Villa beats Sunderland, both QPR and Reading are in the drop regardless.
Wigan is in tough hosting Tottenham.

That Villa match is on Monday, so let's get your comments in by Tuesday afternoonish.

Go United! 2013 Premier League Champions!

Your long awaited 2013 NFL Mock Draft...

 

 

 

The Chiefs need help everywhere. Thankfully in the NFL, you start at the lines, and build out. And in this year's draft, top quality linemen are everywhere. We'll give Kansas City the best of the bunch. From Central Michigan, OT Eric Fisher. 6'8" 305 lbs.

Rumour has it the Jags want to move down for multiple picks. We aren't a live blog cast, (yet), so here they stay. If they really think Blaine Gabbert is their guy, they need to keep him alive. Luke Joeckel OT from Texas A&M 6'6" 310 lbs will help with that immediately.

In the words of the immortal Al Davis, "The other team's quarterback must go down.... and he must go down hard." And that's exactly why they select DL Sharrif Floyd from Florida. 6'3" 305 lbs.

The new look Eagles where  witness protection candidate Chip Kelly is hiding from multiple violation accusations from his time at Oregon. With the new up tempo offence, he'll need faster lineman. Lane Johnson OT from Oklahoma. 6'7" 303 lbs.

The Lions have had the worst secondary in the NFL for four years. Despite their need on the O-line and with Chance Wormack available, they take the top corner, CB Dee Milner from Alabama. 6'1" 199 lbs.

Cleveland. Ah Cleveland. Here we go again. I have a feeling that despite what the new people in charge are saying... going into the year with Brandon Wheedon, Jason Campbell, and Thaddeus Lewis as their QB's scares the hell out of them. Look for a reach pick here and QB Geno Smith from West Virginia. 6'3" 214 lbs

Folks, have your kids grow up to be lineman. Another team with issues here. The tackles aren't horrible, so the Cardinals go Guard with Jonathan Cooper 6'3" 310 lbs out of North Carolina.

I'm going to give the Bills and their new QB a new toy here. WR Tavon Austin from West Virginia 5'9" 174 lbs. Although with OT Chance Wormack still available, they might be tempted.....

The J-E-T-S with the first of two picks in the 1st round. They need a LOT of help. And they need some players too.... Dion Jordan will help any defence. And he'll excell in the Jets 3-4 scheme at outside linebacker. From Oregon 6'7" 241 lbs.

Going off the board a bit here... The Titans will take Ezekiel Ansah. A DL from BYU 6'6" 270 lbs. There are corners on the board, but they'll be some available in the 2nd round as well.... Ansah is too good to pass up.

Finally. Chance Wormack OT from Alabama, 6'3" 320 lbs come on down. Look for the Bolts to plug him in at guard.

another need, another lineman. RT D.J. Fluker from Alabama. 6'6" 335 lbs. Can the Dolphins afford to feed him?

if Sanchez is your guy (snicker) then you gotta help him out. TE Tyler Eifert from Notre Dame 6'6" 251 lbs will help. Great hands and a nightmare for linebackers.

more line help. Sound familiar? This time on defence. DL Sheldon Richardson out of Missouri. 6'4" 295 lbs.

I'm just going to flat out say it. Barkevious Mingo. Yes. That's his name. LB from LSU, 6'5" 242 lbs. Not much against the run, but will find the QB.

The Rams first of two picks. Everything I've heard or read for the last two months say the Rams go safety here. And I agree. That probably means they draft a punter. What do I know, anyway? S Kenny Vaccaro, Texas. 6'1" 215 lbs.

For the first time in a long time, the Steelers need help at linebacker. With James Harrison let go, Jarvis Jones will step right in. Georgia. 6'3" 241 lbs.

Da Boys are thrilled to see DT Star Loyulelei fall to them at 18. Nose tackle is a key position in the NFC East, and Star will help Pro Bowler Jay Ratliff take a rest after an injury plagued year.  Utah. 6'4" 320 lbs. Besides.... where else did you think a guy named Star would end up?

another team with need of line help. The Giants O-line is old. Dallas Thomas, OT from Tennessee helps right away. Can also play guard. 6'5" 300 lbs. I love a guy named Dallas playing for the G-Men.

Here we go. Insert joke here. Urlacher? A memory. Mant Te'o. LB from Notre Dame. 6'2" 255 lbs. The Bears hope the hype is worth it.

One of the league's top defences gets better. Safety Eric Reid from LSU. 6'2" 208 lbs. Mike Zimmer is smiling.

with safety taken care of in their first pick, I'll continue to imrove their D by adding the top LB left... Alec Ogletree. Georgia. 6'3" 252 lbs. The Rams D is now a whole lot better.

The Vikes traded their top WR, so, they need to draft a top WR. This isn't as difficult as some people think. Cordarrelle Patterson out of Tennessee. 6'3" 205 lbs. A little immature, but Minnesota likes that. Just avoid boat rides.

the Colts have other needs, but when D.J. Hayden falls to 24, their grab him. Corners of theis quality are hard to find. An injury hurt his draft stock, but if anyone likes comeback stories, it's Inday nad Chuck Pagano. Out of Houston, 5'11" 195 lbs.

The Vikes will use their second pick of the round to help their defence. DT Sylvester Williams will plug in and stuff the run. Something the Vikings have forgotten about recently. North Carolina, 6'3" 320 lbs.

I wasn't going to do it, but what the heck. I'll draft a running back in the first round. And what better place than here? Green Bay hasn't had a number one back since Ahman Green. So we'll give them RB Eddy Lacy. Alabama 6'0" 220 lbs.

Houston needs someone to take pressure off of Andre Johnson. WR Justin Hunter, Tennessee 6'4" 205 lbs is that guy. He's fresh and needs coaching, but will turn into a beast with a little patience.

No way the Horse Heads figured on Bjoern Werner falling to 28. So strategy goes out the window as they select the 6'4" 255 lb linebacker from Florida State.  Elvis who?

The Pats nab the top rated corner left, Xavier Rhodes. 6'1" 215 lbs out of Florida State. Besides, he wears glasses, which means he's smart. And Belichek likes smart.

Atlanta helps their depleted defence with CB Desmond Trufont. 6'0" 185 lbs out of Washington. He'll start opposite of Asante Samuel and might evern return kicks.

More weapons for Kaepernick. TE Zach Ertz from Stanford. (the Harbaugh connection) 6'6" 245 lbs. With the addition of Ertz and Anquon Boldin.... look out NFC West.

With the last pick of the 1st round, Baltimore selects LB Arthur Brown. 6'1" 228 lbs from Kansas State. The Ravens 'backers are old and slow... Brown will help solve that.