2009 SP Threads #187, 2009 SPx, SPx Rookies Silver, and SPx Rookies Silver Holofoil #179, and 2009 Upper Deck #254 Sebastian Vollmer

Yeah! Sebastian Vollmer cards are available. I'm a little surprised. Offensive linemen generally don't have the most sought after cards so card manufacturers don't produce many of them. Add that Vollmer isn't from a high profile school and wasn't a high profile player (he wasn't invited to the NFL combine), and it's even more surprising that he has cards. Maybe his fascinating story helped.

Sebastian is from Germany and didn't even play football until he was 14 years old. When he came to UH, he spoke little English and was a tight end. After back surgery, he switched to playing tackle. In his senior year, he was named All Conference USA.

He was then selected in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft by the New England Patriots. He was the first European player to ever be drafted in the NFL. He got some playing time beginning with the first game of the season and has been starting since week 6.

All of the images appear to come from one event. Considering these are all Upper Deck products, I guess that's not too surprising. Very disappointing that there aren't any pictures in a UH uniform.

First we have Upper Deck #254.


Next we have SP Threads #187.


Finally we have SPx #179. This comes in three variations: Base, Silver, and Silver Holofoil (not shown). The Base is numbered to 799, Silver to 399, and Silver Holofoil to 25.

SPx Base


SPx Silver

New Checklist November 18, 2009

OK... The checklist hosting issue has been solved. Please use the links to the left to access the player and card checklists in both PDF or Excel format.

As part of resolving the issue, I have updated the checklist itself. I know it has been 5 months, but fear not, I have been keeping the list updated this entire time. I just need to post it online more often.

We have a new player on the list, Sebastian Vollmer. Look for a post about his cards soon.

Lots of cards were added. In total 400 cards were added to the checklist.

The biggest additions:

• Donnie Avery - 158


• Hakeem Olajuwon - 96


• Clyde Drexler - 87


• Michael Bourn - 18


• Kevin Kolb - 12

Other players with new cards include Fred Couples, Jesse Crain, Elvin Hayes, and Chris Synder. As usual, you can tell the newly added cards by their highlighting.

So get to work Cougar fans. 400 new cards should keep you busy for a while.

And if you know of a card missing from the checklist, please let me know. If you want to send a scan of it too, even better.

Checklist Files

It appears that my checklist host is having some issues or doing some updates. Hopefully all will be well soon.

Please leave a comment if you have any questions about accessing checklists.

2009 Topps #572, 2009 Topps Gold Border #572, and 2009 Topps Black #572 Michael Bourn

Congratulations to Michael Bourn for winning his first Gold Glove Award this year.

In honor of Michael Bourn, today's cards are 2009 Topps cards #572. First is the base card. Next is the Gold Border card numbered to 2009. The final card is the Topps Black numbered to 58. There is also a Topps Platinum which is a 1 of 1. Plus there are four printing plates where are also 1 of 1s.

Base




Gold Border




Black

2009-10 Prestige #123 Elvin Hayes

Hooray! New Elvin Hayes cards are starting to come out for 2009. This is the 2009-10 Prestige #123 from Panini.

It's not the best looking card. Layout? I guess it's OK. The picture? Again OK. Are the edges washed out from the lights or is that a poor Photoshop effect?

One thing I do like is the classic Rockets uniform. I like the red and yellow so much more than the red and white or the red, white, and blue.

1998 Hoops Shout Outs #22 Hakeem Olajuwon

Sometimes you may like a card because it has an autograph. Or maybe it has a piece of memorabilia. Or it has chrome or foil printing. Or maybe it is a refractor. Or over the top graphics. But sometimes a card is great due to its simplicity such as the 1998 Hoops Shout Outs #22 featuring Hakeem Olajuwon.

First you start with a good photograph from an interesting angle. Second you use a simple card design. Instead of using excessive graphics, the underutilized technique of using white space doesn't detract from the photograph. Instead it enhances the picture. Finally using a simple, understated font completes the less is more theme of the design.

My only problem with this card is the little "sh" and the large "out." The text appears to spell shouts instead of shout outs. That's a minor flaw in an otherwise great looking card.

1990 Topps Traded #129T Alfred Oglesby

Cougar great Alfred Oglesby passed away Saturday.

Oglesby played for the University of Houston from 1987 to 1989. That great 1989 Coog team was known for its offense that scored 53.5 points per game and produced a Heisman trophy winner. But the defense was amazing too, allowing only 13.6 points per game with two shutouts.

Oglesby was a standout on the 1989 team. He led the team in tackles with 104. He was a Sporting News All American Honorable Mention and an All Southwest Conference first teamer.

He was selected in the third round of the 1990 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins. He played in the NFL from 1990 to 1995 for the Dolphins, Packers, Jets, and Bengals.

Today's card is his only rookie card, the 1990 Topps Traded #129T. Unfortunately it's not the most exciting design or photograph.

He was also featured on three cards in 1992: GameDay #411, Topps #434, and Topps Gold #434.