Card of the Day: Mike Alstott 1996 Pinnacle #158

1997 UD Legends Football Returns Again

Images and information about the new 2009 Ultimate Collection Football has been public for about a week, but I wanted to share with you some info I obtained about the 1997 Legends signatures that are one of the biggest hits with this product.  Just like last year, collectors can pull autographs of Hall of Famers/retired players from ’09 Ultimate Collection that are designed just like the famous 1997 UD Legends set.  Last week’s product preview showed that Darrell Green will be included, but I’ve learned of a few others that collectors can look for this year: Bruce Smith, Dan Marino, Warren Moon, Drew Bledsoe, and Mike Alstott.  These cards are usually case hits and quite difficult to pull.  Mike Alstott must feel like signing stuff this year because before 2009 he didn’t have a ton of autographs.  Out of that list, I believe that the Marino will be one of the most valuable since he has such a large collecting fan base.  I know I’d love to pull one of those.  I also learned from Upper Deck that they have been trying to get signatures of Dolphins HOFer Nick Buoniconti, but haven’t received a response yet.  Buoniconti is one of the members of the Miami Dolphins Perfect Season team, and doesn’t have a certified autograph and/or relic.  Hopefully thats one they can get for future products.

Pulls/Promos/Pickups at the ’09 National

One of my favorite things about the National are the promos provided by many of the manufacturers and various other dealers.  I obtained most of my promos from Press Pass and Panini, but did pick up a few from Razor and Dave & Adams.  In addition to the promos below, I also received everything that was stated to be in the VIP package.  Click on each photo for a closer look.

Razor Promo Set – Rich Franklin, The Kardashian Sisters, Donovan Tate, Johnny Chan, and an ’08 Razor Metal Michel Inoa.

These are all promos from D & A, Press Pass, and Razor – Aaron Hicks ’08 Metal Plate, Brett Wallace Freedom Cardboard, Tim Beckham Freedom Cardboard, David Cooper Freedom Cardboard, LeSean McCoy ’09 Press Pass Legends #’ed/5, and I pulled a Red Ink auto of Ozzie Newsome as a promo from Press Pass

More promos from Press Pass & Panini – Matthew Stafford ’09 Score Atomic #’ed/50, Matthew Stafford ’09 Elite #’ed/499, Jeremy Maclin ’09 Elite #’ed/499, Michael Crabtree ’09 Elite #’ed/499 and a Tom Jackson Press Pass Legends #’ed/5

I pulled some really nice low-numbered cards at the National while obtaining some of the promos.  Everyone got excited at the Press Pass booth when I pulled this Mike Alstott signed printing plate #’ed 1/1.  This is the second 1/1 I’ve pulled during a National.  I also picked up an Elston Howard 2000 UD Yankees Legends jersey and a Lou Gehrig ’07 UD SP Legendary Cuts 1 of 1 filmstrip piece.