Astros Rated Rookies

Donruss' notorious "Rated Rookies" subsets of the 1980's and 1990's somehow made us get the special feeling that we get now when we acquire that special insert card. I remember when Canseco hit $60.00, now you get one for about .60 cents. Here's a look at Houston Astros after they hit the RR.
1986 Ty Gainey- Played in 54 games for the Astros between 1985 and 1987, no other MLB playing time.
1990 Eric Anthony- Had a few decent seasons before hopping around the league and hanging up his spikes in 1997.
1992 Kenny Lofton- Nice stats, despite playing for eleven teams in almost as many years.
1992 Jeff Juden- Spent eight years as a journeyman pitcher, had one decent season with the Expos.
1992 Chris Gardner- Only MLB experience consists of 5 games in 1991 with Houston.
1992 Brian Williams- Another Astro on a RR another journeyman.

2004-Present Odd Ball Soccer Cards

Besides purchasing new MLS and European cards you can also find soccer stars past and present sprinkled around some speciality sets. These are great cards to add to your collection and include quite a bit of parallels.
2004 Donruss "Fans of the Game"
Brandi Chastain #205
Abby Wambach #4
Freddy Adu #202
Landon Donovan
2005 Playoff "Fans of the Game"
Heather Mitts #FG2
2007 Donruss Elite Extra Edition
Michelle Akers #84
Brandi Chastain #81
Cobi Jones #89
2008 Donruss Sports Legends
Michelle Akers #33
Hope Solo #114
Cobi Jones #48
Tatu #98
2006 Topps Allen and Ginter
Brandi Chastain #304
2007 Topps Allen and Ginter
Mia Hamm #272
Freddy Adu #157
2007 Sport Kings
Mia Hamm #11
Freddy Adu
2008 Sport Kings
Brandi Chastain #205
Freddy Adu
Frank Borghi #46
Pele #64
2009 Sport Kings
2007 Upper Deck Royalty
Mia Hamm

New News on an Old Post

I posted pre-NFL draft regarding Rhett Bomar and Bobby Reid. Here is the update:

Rhett Bomar- drafted in round 5 by NYG

Bobby Reid- not signed

Clement- signed by Hamliton Tiger-Cats and "retired" in camp

Urban Cowboy Cards

Urban Cowboy Cards

Why didn't Topps or Donruss make a card set for this movie, I mean Travolta had sets from lots of other projects. This is the best I could do, most of the cards came from the Urban Cowboy Soundtrack.

Charlie Daniels:

1992 and 1993 Country Gold Cards

2008 Donruss Americana #247

Mickey Gilley:

1992 Branson on Stage #27

1992 Country Gold #21

1992 Starline Hollywood #187

1993 Country Gold #83

Johnny Lee

1992 Country Classics #59

Bonnie Raitt

1992 Pro Set #222, #223

Kenny Rogers

1992 Starline Hollywood

Anne Murray

1992 Starline Hollywood #156

Linda Ronstadt

1992 Country Classics #93

1980's TV Shows Cars, Cards and Cats

Improve the economy, make shows like these. All you need was a bad ass car, wierd sidekick and a hot woman. Here is my list of the best 1980's shows ever:

1979-1985 Dukes of Hazzard (CBS)
The Guys: Bo, Luke, Coy and Vance Duke
The Car: 1969 Dodge Charger "General Lee"
Sidekicks: Enos and Cooter
Babes: Daisy Duke (remember she's their cousin)
Cards: 1980-81 and 1983 Donruss (Sets)

2007 Donruss Americana (Catherine Bach #27) (Cinema Stars #17)

2007 Upper Deck Spectrum of the Stars

1980-88 Magnum PI (CBS)
The Guy: Thomas Magnum
The Car: Ferrari 308GTS
Sidekicks: Rick and TC
Cards: 1982 Donruss (Set)

1981-1989 Simon and Simon (CBS)
The Guys: Rick and AJ Simon
The Cars: Dodge Power Wagon, Chevy z28 Camaro
Sidekicks: Mama

1981-1986 The Fall Guy (ABC)
The Guy: Colt Seavers
The Truck: 1980's GMC 4x4
Sidekick: Howie Musnon
The Babe: Jody Munson

Cards: 1991 Starline Hollywood #39

1982-1986 Knight Rider (NBC)
The Guy: Michael Knight
The Car: Pontiac Trans Am (KITT)
The Babes: Bonnie and April
Cards: 1982 Donruss (Set)

1983-1987 The A-Team (NBC)
The Guys: Hanninbal, Face, Murdock and BA
The Cars: GMC Vandura
The Babes: Amy and Tawnia
Cards: 1983 Topps (Set)

Thrice, Rice, Nice

Rice's football has been doing well in recent years, congrats on the Texas Bowl win. The Owls had two drafted in the fifth round (Casey and Dillard), Chase Clement will probably end up an undrafted free agent. Here are some great cards:

Rollie Fingers

As you can tell my blog is pretty random, but one thing you can tell is that I'm a card collector. My brother and I collected cards up until about junior high, mostly baseball. In college most of my pals were on the football team, so I got into some football. In grad school I played soccer and lacrosse and that led to spending five years being the second biggest soccer card dealer on the web. I've since scaled way back on the wheeling and may start collecting some kind of new oddball item. Going back to those days at the card shops, my brother loved finding cards of Rollie Fingers. I know he liked the A's but I think the mustache had a lot to do with it. This was in the late 1980's and we had a nice little card shop in the next town. Mom would take us every Friday and my brother would buy every Rollie Fingers he could. I remember he found a 1969 Fingers rookie in the nickle bin, looking back I bet the clerk placed it there to see the sheer excitement on my brothers face. That card was quickly added to his collection, it replaced his previous favorite 1972.
My brother passed away in 1997 and left his collection behind. It's still in his closet, maybe it's time to complete the collection. I think I would start with the oddballs or perhaps find a bargain bin somewhere.

Mouse, June & Jerry

Quite a connection here, when did these fellows team up?
Portland State 1975-76
Mouse Davis (HC), June Jones (QB)
Toronto Argonauts 1982
Davis (OC), Jones (QB)
Houston Gamblers 1984
Davis (OC), Jones (WR's)
Denver Gold 1985
Davis (HC), Jones (OC)
Houston Oilers 1987-88
Jerry Glanville (HC), Jones (QB's)
Detroit Lions 1989-90
Davis (OC), Jones (QB's/WR's)
Atlanta Falcons 1991-93
Glanville (HC), Jones (HC)
Atlanta Falcons 1994-95
Jones (HC), Davis (QB's)
University of Hawaii 2004-06 (Glanville came aboard in 2005)
Jones (HC), Davis (ST's), Glanville (DC)
Portland State 2007-Current
Glanville (HC), Davis (OC)

Houston Solution: 49 Years of Football

AFL/NFL Oilers to WFL Texans
Garland Boyette (Grambling)
1966-72 Oilers
1974 Texans
Willie Frazier (Arkansas-Pine Bluff)
1964-65, 1971, 1975 Oilers
1974 Texans
John Matuszak (Tampa)
1973 Oilers
1974 Texans (did not play)
Don Trull (Baylor)
1963-66, 1966-69 Oilers
1974 Texans

USFL Gamblers to NFL Oilers
Scott Boucher (Northwest Louisiana)
1984-85 Gamblers
1987 Oilers (did not play)
Rayford Cooks (North Texas)
1985 Gamblers
1987 Oilers
Greg Davidson (North Texas)
1980-83 Oilers
1984 Gamblers
Charlie Davis (Texas Christian)
1980 Oilers
1984 Gamblers
Toni Fritsch
1977-81 Oilers
1984-85 Gamblers
Billy Kidd (Houston)
1983 Oilers (preseason only)
1984-85 Gamblers
Gerald McNeil (Baylor)
1984-85 Gamblers
1990 Oilers

NFL Oilers to NFL Texans
Gary Walker (Auburn)
1995-96 Houston Oilers
2002-05 Texans

Coaches
June Jones
1984 Gamblers (WR's)
1987-88 Oilers (QB's)
Chris Palmer
1990-92 Oilers (WR's)
2002-05 Texans (OC)
Jack Pardee
1984-85 Gamblers (HC)
1990-94 Oilers (HC)
Bob Gambold
1978-82 Oilers (DB's)
1996 Terror (OC)
John Paul Young
1978-80 Oilers (ST)
1996 Terror (HC)

Goal! Houston Soccer's All-Time Scoring Leaders

2008 Brian Ching Dynamo 11
2007 Brian Ching/Joseph Ngwenya Dynamo 7
2006 Brian Ching Dynamo 13
2000 Ato Leone Houston HotShots 25 Goals 21 Assists
1997 Paul Dougherty HotShots 50 Goals 42 Assists
1996 Paul Dougherty HotShots 36 Goals 34 Assists
1994 Nebo Bandovic HotShots 43 Goals 29 Assists
1980 Edward Marasco Hurricane 13 Goals 7 Assists
1980 Kai Haaskivi Summit 51 Goals 36 Assists
1979 Kai Haaskivi Summit 39 Goals 25 Assists
1968 Tibor Vigh Stars 12 Goals 3 Assists
1967 Paulo Borges Stars 6 Goals 3 Assists

Earl's Houston Rushing Mark Still Stands

Earl Campbell 1978-84
8,574 yards 73 rushing TD's
Lorenzo White 1988-94
4,079 yards 29 rushing TD's
Hoyle Granger 1966-70
3,514 yards 18 rushing TD's
Charlie Tolar 1960-66
3,277 yards 21 rushing TD's
Mike Rozier 1985-90
3,246 yards 27 rushing TD's
Domanick Williams 2003-05
3,195 yards rushing 23 TD's

Heisman Trophy Winners in Other Leagues

1952 Billy Vessels CFL Edmonton Eskimos 1953
1962 Terry Baker CFL Edmonton Eskimos 1966
1964 John Huarte WFL Memphis Southmen 1974-75
1972 Johnny Rodgers CFL Montreal Alouettes 1973-76
1974 & 1975 Archie Griffin USFL Jacksonville Bulls 1985
1982 Hershel Walker USFL 1983-85 New Jersey Generals
1983 Mike Rozier USFL 1984 Pittsburgh Maulers, 1985 Jacksonville Bulls
1984 Doug Flutie USFL 1985 New Jersey Generals 1990-91 CFL B.C. Lions, 1992-95 Calgary Stampeders, 1996-97 Toronto Argonauts
1989 Andre Ware CFL 1995 Ottawa Rough Riders, 1996 B.C. Lions, 1997 Toronto Argonauts, NFLE 1998 Berlin Thunder
1992 Gino Torretta NFLE 1995 Rhein Fire
1994 Rashaan Salaam XFL 2001 Memphis Maniax, CFL 2004 Toronto Argonauts
1998 Ricky Williams CFL 2006 Toronto Argonauts
2001 Eric Crouch NFLE 2005 Hamburg Sea Devils, CFL 2006-07 Toronto Argonauts

Head Bangers: XFL Head Coaches Where Are They Now?

The short lived XFL's eight head coaches, what are they doing now?

Gerry DiNardo Birmingham Thunderbolts (2-8)
Aftermath: Indiana University 2002-2004
Coaching Record:
NCAA: Vanderbilt 1991-94 (19-25), LSU 1995-99 (32-24-1), Indiana 2002-04 (8-27) 59-76-1
PRO: Birmingham Thunderbolts 2001 (2-8)
Overall: 61-84-1

Ron Meyer Chicago Enforcers (5-5)
Coaching Record:
NCAA: UNLV 1973-75 (27-8), SMU (34-32-1) 61-40-1
PRO: New England Patriots 1982-84 (36-35), Indianapolis Colts 1986-91 (18-15), Las Vegas Posse 1994 (5-13), Chicago Enforcers 2001 (5-5) 64-68
Overall: 125-108-1

Rusty Tillman New York/New Jersey Hitmen (4-6)
Coaching Record:
Overall: 4-6

Galen Hall Orlando Rage (8-2)
Aftermath: Dallas Cowboys 2002 (Running Backs) Penn State 2004-Present (OC)
Coaching Record:
NCAA: Florida 1984-89 (40-18-1)
PRO: Orlando Thunder 1992 (8-2), Charlotte Rage (6-6), Rhein Fire 1995-2000 (34-26), Orlando Rage 2001 (8-2) 56-36
Overall: 96-54-1

Jim Criner Las Vegas Outlaws (4-6)
Aftermath: Kansas City Chiefs (Scout)
Coaching Record:
NCAA: Boise State 1976-82 (59-21-1), Iowa State 1983-86 (17-25-2) 76-46-3
PROS: Scottish Claymores 1995-2000 (26-34), Las Vegas Outlaws (4-6) 30-40
Overall: 106-86-3

Al Luginbill Los Angeles Xtreme (7-3)
Aftermath: Detroit Fury 2003
Coaching Record:
NCAA: San Diego State 1989-1993 (31-25-3)
PRO: Amstredam Admirals 1995-2000 (30-20), Los Angles Xtreme 2001 (7-3), Detroit Fury 2003 (8-8) 45-31
Overall: 76-56-3

Kippy Brown Memphis Maniax (5-5)
Aftermath: Houston Texans 2002-2005 (WR), Detroit Lions (WR), University of Memphis (AHC)

Jim Skipper San Franciso Demons (5-5)
Aftermath: Carolina Panthers 2003-Present (AHC)

The Draft Status of Rhett Bomar and Bobby Reid

Here's a look at how Division I Subdvision transfers have done over the years:
Spergon Wynn (Houston Episcopal High School '95)
University of Minnesota 1995-1996
Southwest Texas State 1998-1999
6th round pick Cleveland Browns 2000
Cleveland Browns 2000
Amstredam Admirals 2001
Minnesota Vikings 2001-2002
British Columbia Lions 2003-2004
Winnipeg Blue Bombers 2005
Toronto Argonauts 2006

Wes Pate (Arp High School '97)
Louisiana Tech 1997-1998
Stephen F. Austin State University 1999-2001
7th Round pick Baltimore Ravens

Josh McCown (Jacksonville High School '98)
Southern Methodist University 1998-2001
Sam Houston State University 2001
3rd Round pick Arizona Cardinals 2002
Arizona Cardinals 2002-2005
Detroit Lions 2006
Oakland Raiders 2007
Miami Dolphins 2008
Carolina Panthers 2008-Present

Casey Printers (DeSoto)
Texas Christian University 1999-2001
Florida A&M University 2002
British Columbia Lions 2003-2005
Kansas City Chiefs 2006
Hamilton Tiger-Cats 2007-2008

Dustin Long (Port Neches-Groves High School '00)
Texas A&M University 2000-2004
Sam Houston State University 2004
Signed as a free agent by the Dallas Cowboys 2005
Hamburg Sea Devils 2006

Rhett Bomar (Grand Prairie High School '04)
University of Oklahoma 2004-2005
Sam Houston State University 2006-2008

Bobby Reid (Northshore High School '04)
Oklahoma State University 2004-2007
Texas Southern University 2008

From Pokes to Pros: OSU to the NFL

Look at OSU Coaches who coached pro ball:
Jim Stanley 1973-78 (35-31-2)
1983-1984 Michigan Panthers (24-15)
(1983 USFL Champions)
Jimmy Johnson 1979-1983 (30-25-2)
1989-1993 Dallas Cowboys (44-36)
(Super Bowl XXVII and XXVIII Champions)
1996-1999 Miami Dolphins (36-28)

Sooner or Later: From OU to the Pros

University of Oklahoma Head Coaches who jumped to the pro ranks:
Bud Wilkinson 1947-1963 (145-29-4)
(National Champions 1950, 1955 and 1956)
1978-1979 St. Louis Cardinals (9-20)
Chuck Fairbanks 1967-1972 (52-15-1)
1973-1978 New England Patriots (46-40)
1983 New Jersey Generals (6-12)
Barry Switzer 1973-1988 (157-29-4)
(National Champions 1974, 1975 and 1985)
1994-1997 Dallas Cowboys (45-26)
(Super Bowl XXX Champions)

Dallas Cowboy's Running Backs

For some reason I was thinking about those late 1990's Denver Broncos runningbacks and that led me to think of the Dallas Cowboy's transition from Tony Dorsett to Hershel Walker to Emmitt Smith. Let's compare AFC to NFC bloodlines.

Denver:
1980-1983 No 1,000 Rusher
1984 Sammy Winder 1,153-4
1985-1988 No 1,000 Rusher
1989 Bobby Humphrey 1,151-7
1990 Bobby Humphrey 1,202-7
1991 Gaston Green 1,037-4
1992-1994 No 1,000 Rusher
1995 Terrel Davis 1,117-7
1996 Terrel Davis 1,538-13
1997 Terrel Davis 1,750-15
1998 Terrel Davis 2,008-21
1999 Olandis Gary 1,159-7
2000 Mike Anderon 1,487-15
2001 Terrell Davis 701-0
2002 Clinton Portis 1,508-15
2003 Clinton Portis 1,591-14
2004 Reuben Droughns 1,240-6
2005 Mike Anderson 1,014-12
2006 Tatum Bell 1,025-2
2007-2008 No 1,000 Rusher

Dallas:
1970-1971 No 1,000 Rusher
1972 Calvin Hill 1,036-6
1973 Calvin Hill 1,142-6
1974-1976 No 1,000 Rusher
1977 Tony Dorsett 1,007-12
1978 Tony Dorsett 1,325-7
1979 Tony Dorsett 1,107-6
1980 Tony Dorsett 1,185-11
1981 Tony Dorsett 1,646-4
1982 Tony Dorsett 745-5 Strike Season
1983 Tony Dorsett 1,321-8
1984 Tony Dorsett 1,189-6
1985 Tony Dorsett 1,307-7
1986 Tony Dorsett 748-5 Herschel Walker 737-12
1987 Herschel Walker 891-7 Strike Season
1988 Herschel Walker 1,514-5
1989 No 1,000 Rusher
1990 Emmitt Smith 937-11
1991 Emmitt Smith 1,563-12
1992 Emmitt Smith 1,713-15
1993 Emmitt Smith 1,486-9
1994 Emmitt Smith 1,484-21
1995 Emmitt Smith 1,773-21
1996 Emmitt Smith 1,204-12
1997 Emmitt Smith 1,074-4
1998 Emmitt Smith 1,332-13
1999 Emmitt Smith 1,397-13
2000 Emmitt Smith 1,203-9
2001 Emmitt Smith 1,021-3
2002-2003 No 1,000 Rusher
2006 Julius Jones 1,084-4
2007-2008 No 1,000 Rusher

Houston Pro Soccer History

Houston Stars (USA 1967 & NASL 1968)
Houston Hurricane (NASL 1978-1980)
Houston Summit (MISL 1978/79-1979/80)
Houston Dynamos (USL/IND/LSSA 1984-1990) Houston Internationals (1991)
Houston Alianza (LSSA 1988-1991)
Houston Express (SISL 1988/89-1989/90)
Houston Force (USISL 1994)
Houston Hotshots (CISL/WISL 1993-2001)
Houston Hurricanes (USISL/USL D-3 1996-2000)
Houston Toros (USL PDL D-4 2002-2003)
Houston Stars (WPSL 2005)
Houston Dynamo (MLS 2006-Present)
Houston Leones (USL PDL D-4 2007-Present)

Houston Sports Figures in the Hall of Fame

Baseball:

Jim Bottomley (Houston Buffaloes 1921)

Dizzy Dean (Houston Buffaloes 1930-1931)
Leo Durocher (Houston Astros 1972-73)

Chick Hafey (Houston Buffaloes 1924)
Nellie Fox (Houston Colt 45's & Astros 1964-1965)
Eddie Matthews (Houston Astros 1967)
Joe Morgan (Houston Colt 45's & Astros 1963-1971, 1980)
Robin Roberts (Houston Astros 1965-1966)
Nolan Ryan (Houston Astros 1980-1988)

Tris Speaker (Houston Buffaloes 1907)
Don Sutton (Houston Astros 1981-1982)

Basketball:
Charles Barkley (Houston Rockets 1996/97-1999/00)
Ricky Barry (Houston Rockets 1978/79-1979/80)
Clyde Drexler (Houston Rockets 1995/96-1997/98)
Elvin Hayes (Houston Rockets 1971/72, 1981/82-1983/84)
Moses Malone (Houston Rockets 1976/77-1981/82)
Calvin Murphy (Houston Rockets 1971/72-1982/83)
Hakeen Olajuwon (Houston Rockets 1984/85-2000/2001)

Football:
Elvin Bethea (Houston Oilers 1968-1983)
George Blanda (Houston Oilers 1960-1966)
Earl Campbell (Houston Oilers 1978-1984)
Dve Casper (Houston Oilers 1980-1983)
Sid Gillman (Houston Oilers 1973-1974)
Ken Houston (Houston Oilers 1967-1972)
John Henry Johnson (Houston Oilers 1966)
Charlie Joiner (Houston Oilers 1969-1972)
Jim Kelly (Houston Gamblers 1984-1985)
Bruce Matthews (Houston Oilers 1983-2001)

Don Maynard (Houston Texans 1974)
Warren Moon (Houston Oilers 1984-1993)
Mike Munchak (Houston Oilers 1982-1993)

Hockey:
Gordie Howe (Houston Aeros 1973/74-1976/77)
Mark Messier (Houston Apollos 1979/80)

Cards from Sports Movies

Baseball:

1948 Swell The Babe Ruth Story

1984 The Natural (Robert Redford NNO)

1988 Gatorade Bull Durham

1988 Pacific Eight Men Out

1992 Upper Deck Mr. Baseball (Tom Selleck #SP4)

Basketball:

1994 Sky Box Blue Chips

1996 Upper Deck Space Jam

2008 Upper Deck Semi-Pro

Boxing:

1979 Topps Rocky II

1987 Topps Rocky IV

Football:

2005 The Longest Yard

Soccer:

Escape to Victory

Pete Rose Expos Cards

I don't know why, but I have always wanted a card of Pete Rose on the Expos. Ninety-five games, seventy-two hits, two wives and a few cards of Pete on the Expos.
1984 O Pee Chee #300 (he's in a Phil's uniform)
1984 Topps Traded #103T
1984 Fleer Update #U102
1984 Stuart's #17 (regional issue)
1985 Fleer #640
1985 Donruss #254

Houston Soccer Cards

I've been collecting soccer cards for years, buying and selling cards of all types. I'm still looking to piece together my 1980 Houston Hurricane team set. I currently have nine of the oversized cards. The players I have include; Howie Charboneau, Dan Geerling, Stewart Jump, Paul Hammond, Nicky Megaloudis, Mark Stahl, Roland Sikinger and John Stremlau. These cards are sponsored by Klein's Jewelry. I used to own an indentical set of the Edmonton Drillers. Another Houston set I'm trying to finish is my 1994 Dabbon Yogurt Houston Hotshots set. These black and white cards must have been handed out at games. The players in my collection are Juan Cobo Aboleda, Chico Borja, Oliver Finidori, Arash Noamouz, Shannon Presley, Shawn Ray and Fredy Sanguinetti.

Mass Produced Sets of Defunct Leagues

I've always been fascinated by the rise and fall of rival sports leagues. There have been a fair amount of cards produced with some pretty interesting results. Some leagues, such as the American Football League have successfully merged with it's more established counterpart. Other leagues like the ABA and WHA found ways to ship their domainate franchises to the big arenas. Others have vanished without a trace, here is a list of mass produced sets, this does not include regional issues.


Basketball:

Topps ABA/NBA (1971/72-1975/76)

Football:

Fleer AFL (1960, 1961 AFL/NFL, 1962-1963)

Topps (1961 AFL/NFL, 1964-1967)

Topps USFL (1984-1985)

Pro Set WLAF (1991)

Wild Card WLAF (1992)

Ultimate WLAF (1992)

Score WLAF (1996)

Topps XFL (2001)

Hockey:

O Pee Chee (1972/73 & 1973/74 WHA/NHL, 1974-1975-1977/78)

Soccer:

Topps NASL (1979)

Pacific MISL (1987/88-1989/90)

Pacific MSL (1990/91-1991/92)

Soccer Shots MSL 1991

Pacific NPSL (1992/93)