Any ideas on how to display these things?

I am sure there are some of you out there that have come across these at one point or another. I really wasn't into the idea these at the time they came out in 2006-07.  I again didn't like them when they were re issued in 2007-08.  However, since I have been trying to catalog all of my collection, I have crossed paths with these once again and I kind of like them.

My question is, if there is anyone that has these (either in hockey or football or baseball)?  How do you display them?  Did you keep them in the plastic with the cardboard backer?  Did you bust them open?  Do you have a display case full of Troll dolls that are sporting jersey's of your favorite players?  Help a brutha out.  Mine are obviously still in the plastic and these aren't my pictures but just an illustration.

Anger Management Isn't Part of Team Benefits Package

Too bad our big league counterparts can't get this kind of fire under their asses.

Well It's Official, Farewell To Billy G.

(This came from somewhere on SBNation Pittsburgh and I can only assume from Pensburgh since they are the only ones cool enough to do something like this.)

No more "My Dad Rocks, #13" signs in Pittsburgh.  The Penguins announced or at least, were rumored to have announced or....Okay, it is being reported (how's that?)...Nope, it's official.  Bill Guerin's services for the upcoming 2010-11 season are no longer needed.  I knew this was probably going to be the result for one of my all around favorite players and I think I saw the writing on the wall when they signed Arron Asham a few days ago.  Granted, Asham is more of a brawler by nature, or at least gets flagged as a bit on the "goonish" side but he has the skills to fill in as a top line winger.

The biggest point in bringing Guerin back was the salary cap.  There is no questioning his leadership and playmaking abilities.  There was never a question of his skill level or his on ice presence.  The only issue was the almighty dollar and in the end, that is what wins out.  With just over $59M to work with, the Pens were out of cap space after signing "high profile" D-men Michalek and Martin to replace the loss of Gonchar.  With only about $1.7M left, there wasn't much room for Billy G and his $2M contract.  Guerin already took a pay cut in order to stay with the team for the 2009-10 season and despite being vocal on the issue of staying in Pittsburgh for one more year, was understandibly not willing to take another cut to stay again this year. 

So what do the Pens lose?  In his short, but meaningful time with the Penguins, Guerin brought the veteran leadership to the team that had been lacking up until the second half of the 2008-09 season.  The locker room was always a tense environment up until Terrible Therrien was fired and Guerin brought a little levity to the room which was just what the team needed. 

Guerin put up 5 goals in 17 games after the trade deadline but his real contribution was in the playoffs.  Playing on the top line with Crosby, he was able to help propel the team through the playoffs, scoring seven goals and 15 points in 24 games.  11 of his 39 playoff goals game during his stay with the Pens and he now has another Cup to show for his efforts.  Career-wise, he is a +400 goal scorer in in 1,263 regular-season games.

At 39 years old, I don't think he is finished in the NHL.  There are still plenty of teams that could use his services.  The most widely speculated place for him to land seems to be Boston, where he played once before.  Wherever he goes, though, I will always be a fan.  I will also continue my quest for collecting every Billy G. card in existence (well at least one of each).  It is a daunting task, to say the least.

Thanks for the memories, Billy G.  Your services, your leadership, and your attitude toward the game will greatly be missed.

Video of Bill Guerin celebrating the Cup victory with his children.

2010-11 NHL TV Schedule -or- Another Reason To Move To Canada

The NHL released its TV broadcast schedule for the upcoming 2010-11 season on Wednesday.  For those of us in the US waiting for the big return of the NHL to nightly TV viewing, we are still going to have to wait.  However, there is some good news.  We are getting closer.

VS. has picked up a total of 78 regular season games, which is a baker's dozen more than they had last season.  They have 53 exclusive broadcasts with an additional 25 games slotted as "bonus coverage".  I'm not sure if either of these are included in that total but VS. will broadcast the All Star Game as well as the Heritage Classic between the Canadiens and Flames.  They also have featured a game per night on the final week of the season leading up to the playoffs.  October 7th is the first broadcast with five games total on the schedule and three of them on in a row. 

In sports terms, this is the contract year for VS.  They have every opportunity to boost thier chances for a renewal for next year or go down in flames trying.  I think if the network has any chance to survive in the stable of Comcast networks, they have to come out of this season with a win.  No one is going to keep tuning in for Bull Riding, Indy Car Racing, and the occasional MMA fight alone.


As for everyone's favorite network, NBC, their season begins on January 1st with the Winter Classic.  This years WC game is being hosted at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh and pits the Penguins against their conference rivals the Capitals.  Basically it is Gary Bettman's wet dream with Ovechkin vs. Crosby facing each other on the "most watched" hockey game of the year.  Break out the napkins. 

NBC will keep their coverage going throughout the rest of the season with the game of the week featured every Sunday until the playoffs, including the "Let's Copy Canada" day, otherwise known as Hockey Day In America on February 20th.  The controversy here is whether or not coverage will be regionalized.  Last year it wasn't and most of America was forced to watch either the force-fed network coverage or nothing at all.  In looking at the schedule, it appears like the same old teams we have grown accustomed to on NBC are back with little to no changes.  At this point, there are a dozen or so teams without a spot on the schedule and, as pointed out by some other media outlets, the flex scheduling options are so piss-poor that there are clearly going to be more than just the initial 12 without games. 

Of course for our Canadian brethern, they get the royal treatment.  TSN and TSN2 will air 124 games while CBC and Hockey Night In Canada have 87 games (is that a tribute to their gold medal hero?)  As usual, RDS will show all Canadiens games.

As for the flagship network station, the NHL Network has 75 games scheduled in the US and another 31 in Canada.  This is more than have ever have and now that they are available in HD for most carriers, I am excited.  Of the three networks in the US that broadcast games, their announcers and color grind my gears the least.  More details on the upcoming season of TV viewing can be obtained over at the official NHL site.

Again, the increased coverage can be nothing but good for the game of hockey.  More exposure means more advertising, meaning more revenue and the occasional conversion of a fan or two doesn't hurt either. 

42 Days and counting.

Guess Who Legally Became An Adult Over the Weekend???

The Pittsburgh Pirates streak of losing seasons!!!!! 

Hooray, Beer!!!

There was an interesting write up in the Post-Gazette by beat reporter Dejan Kovacevic that recapped the history making night against the Mets.  The best quote...

             "Three more years, and it could drink away some of the pain." 

Classic!!

As far as streaks go, it is now the longest in baseball history...wait, did I say baseball?  I meant to say in any of the top four sports in North America.  To compound matters, the Pirates are now the only team in baseball with four 10-game losing pitchers and another that was demoted at 9 loses (Charlie Morton).  All these events in the wake of the Pirates "releasing of the books" for the last year's finances saying they made a $5 million profit!!  Sadly, that is less than both 2008 and 2007.

I am not going to get into the ridiculousness of baseball finances but will simply point to the pillar of all things spending related and that is the NY Yankees organization. Bottom line??  If you want a winner, you have to pay a winner.  At this point, there is really no reason for the Pirates to increase their payroll.  They are so bad, the only thing they would do is become mediocre.  My solution is to sit on the money, wait till some of these young prospects develop, try to compete with the sub par teams, then spend the money so they can at least rise above .500. 

So now the streak is old enough to buy tobacco, adopt a child, get married/divorced without parents consent, start a 401K in their own name, and operate the compactor at their minimum wage job.  I can't wait to see who the streak votes for in November now that it can legally vote.  My vote goes for new ownership.

Trade Post (sort of) - - Under the Bridge

If the first thing that came to mind was the Red Hot Chili Peppers song, they you are 100%, absolutely WRONG!!

This is a Troll post.  And not just any Troll post...a package from Troll post. 

Once upon a time in a far away land, there lived the Collective Troll.  At one point sometime ago, he called out for participation in a group break of epic proportions and all you needed to do to get a spot was...well, I don't remember exactly what we had to do.  It had something to do with buying our way in with cards or something of that nature.  At any rate, this all went down sometime last millennium and I think everyone had forgotten about it until a few weeks ago when we were all reminded that there were packages awaiting arrival at our doorsteps. 

I knew I had the Pirates in the break and after jogging my memory by reviewing many old posts on the Troll Blog, I got a pretty good idea of what I was going to expect to see.  What arrived was so much more, though.

There in my mailbox sat a 330 count box of wonder and amazement.  Not only were the cards that came from the break in there, but there were unopened packs, older Pirates cards, some roller derby stuff (which is always awesome!!), and even some Steelers items.  I was blown away by everything that was in there so I thought I would share some of it with the world. I'm not posting everything, nor am I posting much from the actual break.  I am going to post some of what I think are the highlights.

1994 Stadium Club Andy Van Slyke

I post this card, not for its value or scarcity.  No, this one sums up the Pirates existence from the date this card came off the production line until today.  This is exactly how Pirates fans feel.  Exhausted? Tired? Exasperated? Frustrated? Confused? Angry?  The answer to all of these questions is YES!!  This has to be my vote for the greatest modern era Pirates card of all time.

1985 O-Pee-Chee George Hendrick and Lee Mazzilli

These are the first two OPC Pirates cards I have in my collection from the 1980s.  Although, George is still a Cardinal but we will let that slide.  This was a shocking discovery since I have so much 1980s stuff.

2008 UD Baseball Heroes Roberto Clemente and 2008 Stadium Club Honus Wagner

Here are two modern cards with vintage players.  Not just any players but two of the greatest Pirates of all time.  The 1971 World Series MVP and the man with the most famous and recognizable baseball card of all time.  Reprints, tributes, and retro cards are the closest I will ever get to owning a real Honus Wagner.

1978 O-Pee-Chee Dave Parker/Rod Carew Batting Leaders

Another OPC only this time, an oldie.  When I started collecting, I really didn't even know that OPC was had a card set.  In fact, until I started collecting hockey cards back in the late 80s, I didn't know OPC existed at all.  What an awesome duo to have on a card, though.

1976 Topps Duffy Dyer

There really isn't anything all that special about this card.  Dyer didn't have what you would call a stellar career.  He was Manny Sanguillen's backup for most of his tenure with the Pirates until Manny was dealt to the A's for Chuck Tanner (yes, the manager).  He came back the following year but by that time, Dyer and Ed Ott were well entrenched as the 2 catchers.  What I thought was cool about this card is that Dyer is the name of the town directly west of where I currently reside.  I doubt Troll knew that, or maybe he did, but what a coincidence.  I wonder if Duffy's family tree goes back to mid-1800's Northwest Indiana?

1998 Topps Roberto Clemente Commemorative Set #300

This card comes from a 19 card commemorative set issued back in 1998 which was the 25th anniversary of Roberto Clemente's death.  I have seen this set going from anywhere between $50 to $100.  Now I have a card from it.  It looks like the original, it is glossy, and it is foil stamped. 

A variety of Topps Steelers cards from 1977, 1978, 1980, and 1985. 

These were very unexpected since this was a baseball break and these are clearly not baseball.  They are much cooler though.  4 Steeler greats of the past.  Lambert and Blount are both in the HOF.  Larry Brown played on all four Super Bowl teams in the 70s first as a tight end and then as a tackle.  Mike Merriweather played for the Steelers from 1982-1987 and made the Pro Bowl as a linebacker in 84, 85, and 86. 

2009 Allen & Ginter Ryan Doumit Relic

This is my third A&G relic of a Pirate.  It's Ryan Doumit.  While it's a cool card, I don't know how I feel about Doumit.  Is a catcher, first baseman, outfielder?  Who knows?  It could change on a whim.  He did hit a homer tonight in a losing effort to the Mets.

1987 Fleer Johnny Ray Autograph

I have no idea how he got this autograph, all I know is it is now in my collection.  Johnny Ray, one of the all time best Pirates 2nd baseman, was a personal favorite of mine (in the pre-Bonds era).  The other great thing about this card...look what he is swinging there.  Here's a hint...It's not a bat.

Thanks again Troll.  You are a gentleman and a scholar and a real class act in this hobby.