Autographs are Rolle-ing In

I recieved another autograph in the mail just recently.  It is of former tight end Butch Rolle.

Rolle played for MSU from 1982-85 and in the NFL from 1986-93 for the Bills and Cardinals.  As a Bill, he was primarily used as a blocking tight end and short yardage receiver, particularly near the goal line.  If you look behind his 1990 Score card pictured above, through the 1989 season, Rolle had nine career receptions and five were for touchdowns.
He finished his career with 38 receptions and 11 touchdowns.

More TTM Success!

I received back one of my through the mail attempts on Saturday. It was success and  I even got a bonus.  I sent away for Ralf Mojsiejenko's autograph.  He was a kicker/punter for MSU from 1981-84.  The years I started to watch MSU sports.  I sent Mr. Mojsiejenko his 1986 Topps rookie card to get signed:

As you can see, a success. But I also got this one back also.  I didn't even send that card.  His 1989 Topps Traded auto, pictured with the Washington Redskins.  It must be a 2 for 1 promotion going in the Mojsiejenko household right now.

By the way, sending away for autographs is a great use for your extra cards from the junk wax era.

Didn't Know It Existed

During my last trip to the local card shop, I was flipping through the Detroit Tiger binders looking for a few cards for my baseball card collection.   Then I came across this card for my MSU collection.  I saw his name and it seemed rather familiar.  It is kinda hard to keep track of the baseball players from MSU as they are rarely on television like football, basketball or even hockey.  So, I try to keep up to date from the local newspaper and news.

2009 Bowman Prospects #BP39

I checked the back of the card and it confirmed my familiarity. It said "Michigan State". 
Jon Kibler is my 39th Spartan baseball player and will be slotted between Steve Juday and Jack Kralick in my baseball binder.  Kibler never made to the big leagues, so he doesn't count toward the MLB Spartans.
I also picked up a Kirk Gibson 2012 Topps Heritage card. He is pictured as the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks:

Spartans in Sochi

There are two Spartans who are playing hockey during these Winter Olympics.

2002-03 Between the Pipes rookie card

One is Ryan Miller.  The Buffalo Sabres goalie is a backup for Team USA behind Jonathan Quick.  He will be starting against Slovenia in the preliminary round.

2005-06 Upper Deck MVP rookie

The other is Duncan Keith.  A defenseman of the Chicago Blackhawks.  He is a member of  Team Canada as they attempt to defend the gold medal.
Both Miller and Keith were a part of their teams during the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010 also.

Happy Valentine's Day

1990 Collegiate Collection #149

Carlton Valentine was a forward on the MSU team from 1984-1988 after playing for DeMatha High in Maryland under Hall of Fame coach Morgan Wootten.  
Other than the 1986 sweet sixteen team, Valentine did not experience the successes of modern day Spartan basketball teams.  He was a valuable member off the bench during his sophomore on that team and by his senior season he led the team in both and scoring.
Carlton is the father of guard/forward Denzel Valentine on the current team.  He coached his son at Lansing Sexton High where they won two state championships.  Carlton's oldest son, Drew, is a graduate assistant on the 2013-14 season after finishing his playing days at Oakland University.
If you look close at the card. Carlton Valentine wore #45 jersey, the same as Denzel is wearing right now.

TTM Success!

I have been sending autograph requests to former players through the mail off and on.  This past week I got one back signed.  A Success!
A pretty good one too.  How about a 10x All Star, winning MVP awards in two of those games, 1974 NL MVP,  5x pennant winner and named MVP in two of those series, winning a World Series in 1981, 4x Gold Glove winner and a NL record 1,207 games played.

You would think that would be enough for the Hall of Fame for Steve Garvey, guess not though.  I think he will make it someday on the veterans committee.  Regardless, I am a proud to finally have a Steve Garvey autograph in my MSU collection.

2014 Senior Bowl

I look forward to the Senior Bowl each year and see what, if any, Spartans is selected.  Not only because a possible MSU player gets to play with and against the top seniors in NCAA, but they release a set each year of the players.
The Spartan in the 2014 edition is All- Big Ten defensive back Isaiah Lewis.  He was named as replacement for fellow Spartan db Darqueze Dennard, who decided not to play.
I have most of the Senior Bowl Spartan cards of the past.  I am missing the 2002 Josh Thornhill Sr Bowl card, which is also my most wanted MSU football card.  I am also missing all of them prior to the 2000 game.  If you have any of these, lets work out a deal.

Super Bowl Champion Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks won the latest Super Bowl. It gives me a chance to show you my Seahawk Spartan cards. In my collection, I only have four different Spartans with cards in their Seattle uniform.
They are:

1990 Oroweat Seahawks

Willie Bouyer.  He was the starting WR opposite of Andre Rison in the 1988 Rose Bowl.  He was a member of Seattle's practice squad team before playing in one game for them.  One side note of Bouyer, I have cards of him from NFL, CFL and WLAF. My only 3 league guy.

2008 Topps

T.J. Duckett followed his older brother's footsteps and decided to attend MSU.  The big bruising running back had a fine career at MSU and became a 1st round draft pick of Atlanta. He finished his career playing one year with Seahawks in 2008.

2007 Score

Julian Peterson was a Seahawk from 2006-08.  His last two of his five Pro Bowl appearances was as a Seahawk after playing for the 49ers. 

1985 Topps

Daryl Turner was a Seahawk from 1984-87.  He was the deep threat opposite of Hall of Famer Steve Largent in Seattle's offense.  He has a career yards per reception of 18.5 and amazingly of his career 101 receptions, Turner scored on 36 of them.

Big Will

With my newest Ebay purchase, I now have all 2014 NFL rookies from MSU.  William Gholston of Tampa Bay.  This card has him in MSU uniform and is the Sign of Times autograph insert from SP Authentic.

Big Will is my 207th Spartan football player and is placed between Steve Garvey and Kirk Gibson in my binders.  Yes. Garvey and Gibson. They both lettered in football as well as baseball at MSU

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Current Michigan State Offensive Lineman Travis Jackson carved out a niche in Spartan lore with his "Yes! Yes! Yes!" chants.  If you don't know Jackson borrowed the chant from WWE wrestler Daniel Bryan and used it as a celebration after a touchdown against Michigan and part of the post game celebration in the locker room after each MSU victory this past season.
I had been procrastinating in picking up this card from the 2010 Big 33 Ohio set, but since his "Yes. Yes. Yes" dance has become so popular, I could wait any longer in acquiring it.
Spartan Nation agrees:

And as for my collection, Jackson is #205 for MSU football players and is placed between Sedrick Irvin and Carlos Jenkins in my binders.