Direct from Germany

As the 2018 winter Olympics approached, I was intrigued in who will be on the hockey rosters.  Will there be any Spartans.  On New Year's Day, the United States roster was announced and Jim Slater is an Olympian.  Woohoo!!

Roughly a week later, I read that Brock Radunske will be playing for the host South Korean team. What?!!!  Evidently, Radunske has been playing in a professional league in South Korea for the last number of years.  He and few other Canadian hockey players who have been playing in South Korea obtained Korean citizenship and are allowed to play for South Korea in the Olympics.

Unlike Slater, I don't have a Radunske card. Does he have a card? After discussing with a collecting friend of mine, I learned he has a card from 2007-08 when he played in Germany.  Now time to find one.  Checked Ebay. nope. COMC.com? nope.  So Google is next. searching for shops and/or collectors who has German cards available.  Found a dealer in Germany and ordered one.  It arrived yesterday....

2007-08 German DEL

Slater and Radunske are the 17th and 18th different Spartan to a part of Olympic hockey.  I have cards of 16 of them (the other 2 don't own any cards).

Also, Radunske is 108th Spartan in my hockey collection.  He is placed between Corey Potter and Mike Ratchuk in my binders.

Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles and Other Spartan Eagles

This past Sunday the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New England Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LII.  One time Spartan quarterback Nick Foles was named game MVP.

2012 Topps Magic

Foles was a member of the Spartan squad in 2007 in which he got game action vs UAB.  In order to get more playing time, he transferred to Arizona after the season.
One cool part about the above card is that the trivia question on back asks "Who is the Eagles starting TE whose brother was once Nick's college roommate?"   The answer is Brent Celek.  Celek's younger brother is Garrett and the two roomed together while at MSU.   One last note about Brent Celek is that his college coach at Cincinnati was current MSU coach Mark Dantonio who, of course, coached Garrett and Foles at MSU.


Other Eagles in my Michigan State collecton include:

1961 Fleer

Clarence Peaks played for Philly from 1957-63

1970 Topps

Gary Ballman 1967-72

2005 Topps Bazooka All Star Relics

Ike Reese 1998-2004

2000 Bowman Chrome

Gari Scott 2001

Other Spartans in my collection that has played for Philadelphia yet not pictured as an Eagle:
B.J. Cunningham (2013)
Al Dorow (1957)
Mark Ingram (1996)
Bill Johnson (1998-99)
Walt Kowalcyzk (1958-59)
Mike Labinjo (2004-05)
Jimmy Raye (1969)
Tom Saidock (1957)
Billy Wellls (1958)

Just Hanga- ring Around

Several months ago, the local newspaper ran an article of a former Spartan football player turned inventor.   Justin Kershaw, a defensive lineman from 2005-08, came up with an alternative to the traditional clothes hanger called the hanga.

2004 Big 33 Ohio

Hanga is innovative way to keep your clothes nicer longer.  Your shirt, dress or any other piece of clothing will not get any annoying lines from a normal hanger and can easily slide right off the hanga when needed. It is also built for lifetime use.  For more information on this product, check it out here.

As a proud Spartan who wishes only the best for other Spartans, I had to support Kershaw and purchase one.  I bought one hanga with a shirt and see it works firsthand. I think it is a good product.  Very easy to use and quite durable.  If you have some clothing that you want to keep in great shape, I would recommend this product.

Tied With Bear

Earlier this January, Alabama head coach Nick Saban won his sixth national championship tying him with the legendary Paul "Bear" Bryant.   Saban, of course, is a former head coach of Michigan State.  His tenure was from 1995-99 and during that time I was able to get his autograph during one of the "Meet the Spartans" events.

I have mentioned to friends that I have Saban's auto before and their usual response is to burn it.  I don't have the hatred for Saban as most Spartan fans posses.  I am a positive man and try to remember the good things that Saban did at MSU.   He was the defensive coordinator for the 1988 Rose Bowl champion team.  He did have some big wins at MSU including beating #1 Ohio State in Columbus.  He also once hired Mark Dantonio as a defensive back coach.

As for cards, these are the only two cards of Saban I have in my collection.

2005 Bowman gold card and 2013 Allen & Ginter card from Topps's baseball card set.

Who Doesn't Like Bobbleheads?

Bobbleheads  have been a popular giveaway for games for quite a few years now.  Yet as a lifelong collector I do not own any myself... until now.  I searched on Ebay to find a bobblehead of a former Spartan at a reasonable price. Found one of my all time favorite basketball player but in a different sport.

Magic Johnson as a L.A. Dodger.  As we all know, Johnson became part of the ownership group of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012.  This bobblehead was a giveaway on September 12, 2013.

Another reason I picked this one because it looks a lot like Magic.  I have seen many bobbleheads that barely look like the players.  I think they got this one down pretty good.   I have been hoping that there would be a Magic Johnson baseball card since he became part owner but I guess this piece will be a good substitute.  Right?  (Magic Johnson shakes his head affirmatively)

Congratulations Coach Shurmur

Congratulations to coach Pat Shurmur for being named the new head coach of the New York Giants.  Shurmur was the offensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings who went onto play in the 2017 NFC Championship game after a 13-3 division title.
This is Shurmur's second go around as a full time head coach.  His first was a two year stint with Cleveland Browns in 2011-12.  He had a 9-23 record.

Shurmur was one of the first recruits for head coach George Perles at MSU. By the time he was a senior in 1987, he was a co-captain and named to the All-Big Ten team as a center.  The Spartans ended up winning the Big Ten championship and the Rose Bowl also.

Shurmur does not have any trading cards depicting him nor do I have 8x10 photo of him.  The only Shurmur item in my collection is the program from the 1987 game vs Michigan.  MSU won that day 17-7 much to the thanks of intercepting U of M quarterback seven times.

2018 East/West Shrine Game

The 2018 East-West Shrine Game was played on Saturday.  The only Spartan to play in the all star game is center Brian Allen.   Allen was a co-captain for the 2017 MSU team and was named 2nd team all Big Ten team.

Allen has impressed several NFL scouts this past week during practice leading up to the game.  He has the best chance of any Spartan to get drafted in the upcoming NFL draft.
I already have two Allen cards from the 2014 Leaf  Army All American game. His base card and an auto:

Allen is of course the younger brother of former All American center Jack Allen.

2016 Panini Prizm Draft Pick auto

There is a third Allen brother, Matt, currently on the MSU squad.

Young Guns

First of all I am bringing this blog back from the dead and will try to post more regularly. The combination of being busy and building up my Spartan collection caused me to neglect this page.  My collecton is up to my satisfaction to write about and will do so with some of my recent acquisitions and plus other Spartan stuff.  OK. done with that and now back to the regular scheduled programming- Young Guns.

No, I am not talking about the old western movies from the late 80s. I am referring to the popular rookie cards from the Upper Deck hockey sets.

I finally picked up the 2002/03 Ryan Miller Young Guns rookie card last week from Ebay. Sometimes I can put the pro in procrastination. This Miller rc now completes my Young Gun Spartan collection.  Here are all 14 of them:

Before they became the popular short printed ones, there was a Kip Miller from 90/91 Upper Deck and Rem Murray from the 1996/97 Collector's Choice set.

And here are the rest of them in chronological order:

Adam Hall (2002-03)   Andrew Hutchinson (03/04)

John-Michael Liles (03/04)   Brad Fast (04/05)

Duncan Keith and Jim Slater (05/06)

David Booth (06/07) Drew Miller (07/08)

Justin Abdelkader (08/09)  Corey Tropp (2011/12)

Torey Krug (12/13)

The MSU hockey program has been down over the last decade and the lack of NHLers produced over that time is evident.  Here is to hoping with the new coach, more NHL players are produced at MSU and more Young Guns.

Mr. Basketball

Incoming MSU guard Cassius Winston of University of Detriot Jesuit High School and Academy was named Michigan's Mr. Basketball.  The yearly award honors the top senior basketball player in the state since 1981 by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan(BCAM).
Winston is the 14th Mr. Basketball that will end up playing for the Spartans.  Along with Winston, they are:

2015    Deyonta Davis      Muskegon High
2012    Matt Costello        Bay City Western
2010    Keith Appling       Detroit Pershing
2009    Derrick Nix           Detroit Pershing
2004    Drew Neitzel         Wyoming Park

2006-07 Topps #244

2002    Paul Davis             Rochester High
2001    Kelvin Torbert      Flint Northwestern

2000-01 Michigan State

2000    Marcus Taylor       Lansing Waverly

2001-02 Upper Deck MVP #209

1999   Jason Richardson   Saginaw Arthur Hill
1993   Jon Garavaglia       Southgate Aquinas

1994 Classic #9

1990   Anthony Miller       Benton Harbor

1992 Front Row #65

1988   Matt Steigenga       Grand Rapids South Christian

1989-90 Hoops #149

 1981   Sam Vincent           Lansing Eastern

Also of note is that the BCAM is naming Retro Mr. Basketball winners. Starting in 2010, they are naming one honoree for each decade with the year ending with number of the current year.  For example, in 2010 they selected Mr. Basketballs for 1980, 1970, etc.
So far, the only Spartan that was given a Retro Mr. Baskeball is Pete Gent

1990 MSU Collegiate Collection #130

Gent is most famous for playing the Dallas Cowboys and writing the book, "North Dallas Forty".

School's Out for ....Good!

I came across a bit of sad news this week.  Farmington Hills Harrison high school will be closing at the end of the 2018-19 academic year.  Of course, this also means the end of one of the most successful high school football programs in the state of Michigan.  Under the direction of coach Herrington, the Harrison Hawks has a win/loss record of 403-94-1 since their establishment in 1970.

The Detroit area high school has produced several future Spartan football players.  I know of five off the top of my head and they are:

1992 Wild Card WLAF #106

John Miller (1985-88).  An All-Big 10 in 1987 and 1988 as a safety.  Miller went on to play parts of two seasons with the Detroit Lions in 1989 and '90.  My fondest memory of Miller was when he intercepted U of Michigan four times during the 1987 game on their way to winning the Big Ten title and Rose Bowl game.   Currently, His son, Grayson, is a member of the MSU football team.
The above card of Miller is one of three that I own of him-all with the World League of Football (WLAF)

1997 Jogo CFL #179

Mill Coleman (1991-94)  Mill "the Thrill" was a star wide receiver for MSU who went on to play for Chicago Bears practice squad and the CFL for the Montreal Alouettes.  Personally, Coleman was a classmate and baseball teammate of mine as a kid. He started out in high school in my hometown and moved away for better opportunities.  Don't blame him.  He went on to win a state title and break state passing records.  At MSU, he was converted to WR.
The above is one of two Coleman cards that I own.

2007 Topps Draft Picks & Prospects #111

Drew Stanton (2003-06)  Stanton was the starting quarterback during John L. Smith's tenure at MSU.  Not much of in highlights but did manage to pull off the biggest comeback in NCAA history.  MSU was down by 35 in the third quarter and came back to win 41-38 vs Northwestern in 2006.
I own 19 different Stanton cards including the above one

2011 Panini Gridiron Gear #226

Mark Dell (2007-10) Dell was one of the early stars of the Mark Dantonio era. Still remains in top 10 all time in receptions and receiving yards. 
The above is Dell's only card that exists which of course I own.

2016 Leaf Draft #2

Aaron Burbridge (2012-15)  Burbridge will go down as playing a part of the one of the most successful Spartan teams in history. Winning multiple Big Ten titles, a Rose Bowl and a Cotton Bowl victory and playing in the football playoff.  He was all Big Ten as a senior in 2015 and was named the conference's WR of the year.
This Burbridge card is one of three that I own.

Ebay Win!

My latest Ebay purchase is of David Garner:

Garner pitched for MSU for the three years and then was drafted by Chicago Cubs.  He decided to sign with Chicago instead staying for his senior year. Time will tell if he made the right decision.
Garner is my 41st Spartan baseball player. He is placed between Wayne Fontes and Steve Garvey in the binder.

The card is from the 2013 Donruss Elite Extra Edition set. Frankly, I didn't know this card existed for awhile. The only reason I found out about it is that I have saved Ebay interest of "Spartans". So when I go on Ebay, A pictured collection of "Spartans" auctions are shown on front page.  Of course, I have to make sure they are MSU Spartans.  The Garner happened to be there to be noticed.
I recommend this tool on Ebay for other collectors

Way To Go Flozell!!

Over the past weekend, it was announced that former Spartan All American Flozell Adams donated $1.5 million dollars to the Spartan Stadium renovation project.  The donation is named in honor of her late mother and will go to the locker room.
Adams,nicknamed "The Hotel",  was 2nd round pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 1998 and became a 5 time Pro Bowler with them.  He finished his career as a Steeler in 2010 and played in his only Super Bowl.
In my collection, I have 12 total Flozell Adams cards including:

1998 Press Pass

1998 Upper Deck rookie card

2004 Bazooka Pro Bowl jesey card

I also have an 8x10 autograph photo of him pictured as a Spartan.  I would also mention part of my wantlist is his 2009 Upper Deck America's Team insert card.

Spartan Family Mourns .... Earl Morrall

Former Michigan State quarterback passed away on Friday at the age of 79.  While at MSU he was an All American in 1955 and led the Spartans to a Rose Bowl victory in 1956.
 Morrall also on MSU's baseball team.  On the diamond, he was a part of MSU's 1954 Big Ten Championship team as a backup infielder.

2003 TK Legacy

Morrall was drafted in the first round by San Francisco 49ers but his name became known as a Baltimore Colt and Miami Dolphin.  He could be considered as the greatest back up quarterback in NFL history.  As a Colt, when Johnny Unitas was injured, he stepped in and won the 1968 NFL MVP and led the Colts to a Super Bowl.
While with Dolphins, Morrall stepped in for injured Bob Griese and started 9 of the games for Miami's undefeated 1972 season.  Morrall played a total of 22 seasons in the NFL after retiring in 1976.

I have a total of 28 Earl Morrall cards. I will show some here:

1964 Philadelphia

1969 Topps

1997 Upper Deck Legends autograph

Spartan Family Mourns... Princess Lacey

Today I am going to take a break from my regular programming.  Instead, I will honor a fallen member of the Spartan family.
Princess Lacey Holsworth was a eight year old girl who had been fighting cancer for the last three years.  She befriended MSU star forward Adreian Payne couple years ago during the team's visit to a hospital where she was staying.  Here is a nice piece about their relationship from the Big Ten Network's program, The Journey:

Sadly,  this past Wednesday, Princess Lacey lost her battle with cancer.  Through her toughest times, she always had a smile on her face, kept a positive attitude and loved unconditionally.  We all should do the same in our daily lives. Love like Lacey:

More than just cards...

I added another addition to my Michigan State collection today, but it is not a trading card.

The latest issue of Sports Illustrated has sophomore guard Gary Harris pictured on the cover along with members of the Izzone.  Plus a cameo of Mateen Cleaves.
Every time a Spartan is on the cover of Sports Illustrated, it is a must buy.  Especially if they are in the green and white.  I now have about dozen issues of Spartan Sports Illustrateds dating back to 1979.  Which of course is with Magic Johnson after winning the 1979 title.
I also have a couple Sporting News covers including a 1979 Magic Johnson also.