1987-88 Fleer #30 Clyde Drexler

Clyde Drexler's mainstream rookie card is the Fleer 1986-87 #26. Since we've already seen this set's card layout with Hakeem Olajuwon's rookie card, let's look at his second year card, the Fleer 1987-88 #30.

The card's gray and white border is much more subdued than the 1986-87's red, white, and blue border. Looking at this card makes you realize how far the hobby has come. The card stock is not of the highest quality. The in game photograph doesn't exactly show the action of an NBA game.

The back of the card has a nice set of statistics in a pleasing red, white, and blue. Because there are only four years of statistics, almost half of the card back is blank. A photograph on the back of a card was still a couple of years away, but you'd think they'd fill the blank space with a fun fact or some other text filler.

Basketball cards from this era seem to be a product in transition. They don't have the vintage look and feel of much older cards, and they also don't have the modern flash and quality of more recent cards. I'm glad these cards exist because the lack of mainstream cards from 1982 to 1985 leaves a gap for basketball card collectors, but I wish there was some feature about this card that makes me want to include it in my collection.

1995 JOGO #51 Roman Anderson

Roman Anderson is considered by many to be the greatest kicker in University of Houston history. He holds many school season and career records for scoring and kickers. At one point, he held the NCAA record for most career points scored. That record has since been broken although longer seasons and more bowl games make it much easier to break season and career records. He was an All American Honorable Mention, 2 time All Southwest Conference 2nd team, and 2 time All SWC 1st team.

Roman never made it in the NFL although he did play in the CFL. In 1995 he was the CFL All-Star placekicker and leading scorer.

Today's card is the 1995 JOGO #51. The front of the card has a nice layout with a quality action photo. Those uniforms are horrible though. To me, the colors don't match and those have to be the busiest stripes I've ever seen.

The back of the card doesn't have statistics. Instead it has an overview of his playing career both in the CFL and at UH.

1992 All World Greats/Rookies SG17 David Klingler

When Andre Ware decided to leave the University of Houston early to join the NFL, there was some concern there would a drop off in quarterback play the next year. Although David Klingler had significant mop up activity behind Ware in 1989 since there were several 50+ point blowouts, you never know how a quarterback will play when given the primary responsibility of running an offense especially following a Heisman trophy winner.

Who could have predicted the season David Klingler would have in 1990. Leading UH to a 10-1 record and a Top 10 ranking, Klingler set several NCAA records some of which will be very difficult to break. Some records include most TD passes in a quarter (6) & TD passes in a game (11). Several of Klingler's single season records were broken by Colt Brennan of Hawaii, but it took 14 games compared to Klingler's 11 games.

I'm a little late for the 4th of July, but it's still the 4th of July weekend so let's celebrate with the 1992 All World Greats/Rookies SG17 featuring David Klingler. The card features Klingler taking a snap in a practice uniform. It also features the American flag at the top with the stars in silver foil. His name is also in silver foil.

The back lamely features the same picture faded behind text. The best part of the card for UH fans is the history of David Klingler at the school. It begins with his initial play in 1988, backing up Ware in 1989, and his record setting year in 1990.

1991-92 Upper Deck #254 Hakeem Olajuwon

This week's Olajuwon card is the 1991-92 Upper Deck #254. This was Upper Deck's first basketball product. This product was highly anticipated when it came out as an improvement on Fleer and Hoops. Unfortunately this product was overproduced like almost all of the products during this timeframe.

This is a great looking card. First of all, I love the basketball floor border. Sure it's a little cliche now, but when used properly, it can look great. With the player name, team name, team logo, and Upper Deck logo integrated on the floor, I think this is a great design, especially considering it wasn't frequently used prior to this product.

The photo on the front is great: Hakeem throwing it down with Cassell, Thorpe, and Divac watching from below. This kind of photo raised the bar for the basketball card market.

The back is also solid. The white card stock looks pristine. The Upper Deck hologram was an innovation to verify the card was authentic, although I'm not sure how much value that adds. Six years of pro statistics are provided. Also there is another very nice picture on the back. I'm not sure what Hakeem's doing, possibly catching a pass on the break, but it's a very solid action photo.

I loved this card when it came out, and I still think it looks great.

1994-95 Stadium Club #79 Hakeem Olajuwon

The Stadium Club brand was best known for its photography. Today's card (1994-95 Stadium Club #79 Hakeem Olajuwon) is an example of the Stadium Club's stylistic photography, but I'm not sure it works on this card.

This photograph would probably work great as a print in a nice frame, but the card layout clashes with picture. The primary action in the picture is on the left side with Olajuwon beating Patrick Ewing to the hoop. Unfortunately the foil graphic of Hakeem's name covers Olajuwon's chest and Ewing's face. The middle of the card is just blank court space. The right side of the card has player spectators (including a Knick in a full face mask), but again, one of the players is covered by the Stadium Club logo.

So let's get the layout straight: Players on left, covered with graphic. Court in center, not covered by anything. Players on right, covered with graphic. Oops.

The back contains a couple more pictures and some basic statistics and commentary. There are also some odd statistics labeled Roundball Ratio. Your normal statistics usually include points, field goal percentage, etc. The Roundball Ratio includes Points to Field Goal Attempt Ratio, Free Throws Attempts to Field Goal Attempts Ratio, Offensive Rebounds to Total Rebounds Ratio, Steals to Turnover Ratio (that's fairly common for point guards), and Block to Personal Foul Ratio. I do like the Points to Field Goal attempt stat. That would be very beneficial in analyzing a player like Fluff McKiver. Since he shot so many three pointers, that really lowers the field goal percentage. By comparing points per shot, you can better compare three point shooters versus mid range and low post players.

2001-02 Topps Pristine Sweat and Tears #OM-BO Bo Outlaw

Previously we've seen memorabilia cards of game used jersey pieces. Also there are cards with pieces of bats, balls, and other equipment, but I think this card is a real oddball.

Today's card is the 2001-02 Topps Pristine Sweat and Tears #OM-BO. So what type of memorabilia would go with sweat and tears? A towel of course. The card says this is an "Authentic Game-Used NBA Playoff Towel."

I would assume you wash a game used jersey before putting it in a card. I think you'd want to wash a towel too, but wouldn't that defeat the sweat and tears concept? I guess you can say that the player wiped his sweat and tears away with the towel, even if the sweat and tears are no longer on the towel after cleaning.

Parts of a game worn jersey seems like a cool concept because the jersey represents the team or player. Part of a towel? Not the same. What's next? I haven't seen game used socks. Maybe sweatbands. As long as we never get game used jock straps. No thank you.

1991 Pro Line Portraits Autograph #143 Eugene Lockhart

I grew up in the Dallas metroplex so I have been a Dallas Cowboys fan all of my life. After I decided to go to school at the University of Houston, I became a huge Cougar fan. When you combine those two interests, I have a great fondness for players who are both a Coog and a Cowboy. One of those players is Eugene Lockhart.

Eugene The Hitting Machine played for UH from 1981-1983. He was co-captain of the 1983 team with Duane Losack and Dwayne Love. He led the team in tackles and was named second team All Southwest Conference by UPI. Unfortunately, that wasn't one of the Coogs better seasons with a record of 4-7.

Lockhart was drafted in the 6th round by the Cowboys. He went on to a solid career playing 7 years with the Cowboys and 2 years with the New England Patriots. In 1989, he led the NFL tackles and was named All-Pro.

Today's card is the Pro Line Portraits Autograph #143. I loved when these cards came out. First the setting for the pictures were so different than any other card. The players were either in work out or casual clothes instead of the normal full uniform game pictures. This allowed for a better look at the player because they weren't wearing a helmet. It also allowed for some more creative pictures. I need to post the 1992 card of David Klingler in his boots and cowboy hat leaning on a tractor. The backs of the cards contained a lengthy quote from the player along with another picture. While I love statistics on cards, these quotes were supposed to get your closer to the player just like the casual photos did.

This set was also one of first I remember having widespread autographs of several players. Prior to this set, I remember very rare inserts of the biggest stars, generally of the past, which you couldn't get without opening a ton of packs or paying a huge amount from a card shop for the single. With this set, even the average collector might be able to pull an autograph from a pack or buy the single autograph at a fairly reasonable price.

Lockhart looks he's just finished a hard workout on this card with a sweat soaked shirt. The camera angle with only sky in the background is a nice touch. I just hope he didn't wear that huge gold chain while playing football.

Overall I love this card and set. I also have the autographed Andre Ware and non-autographed Jack Pardee from the set.