Card of the Day: Joe West 1988 T&M Umpires #36

Card of the Day: Don West 2008 TRISTAR TNA Cross The Line #23

Card of the Day: Adam West 2007 Donruss Americana Silver Proof Retail #80

Card of the Day: Jerry West 1961 Fleer #43

Card of the Day: Don West 2004 Pacific TNA Wrestling #56

Flashback Product of the Week: 1984 Sports Design Products Doug West Set Series 1

Sports Design Products.  I don’t think they could’ve thought of a more generic name for a card company.  This company was around for a few years during the 80’s, and then fizzled out.  In addition to some card sets, they also made supplies like penny sleeves and frames.

The work that sports artist Doug West did for Sports Design Products is probably the nicest stuff this company issued.  The first Doug West set, Series 1, was released in 1984.  It consists of (24) cards of baseball greats such as Thurmon Munson, Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson, and Duke Snider.  Each card features two images of the player.  One image is a closeup portrait, while the other is an action shot.  No packs and boxes here folks.  These were distributed as sealed sets.  Despite not being individually numbered, there are only suppose to be 5,000 of them.  Sets were distributed in clear plastic containers with the Sports Design Products logo printed on the front.  Sports Design Products also released around (250) uncut sheets.

You can readily find these cards available.  They’re dirt cheap.  At the time these came out, they made great cards to get signed in person.  However, most of the players on this checklist are now deceased.  Some were even deceased when the set was originally made.  Unless you’ve figured out a way to raise the dead, you’re not getting an autograph.

Doug West was brought back in 1985 for Series 2.  It was done similarly to Series 1, but with different players.  In 1986, Sports Design Products didn’t go the artistic route.  Instead they released a product that looks identical to 1969 Topps Baseball.  Not much was heard from this company after 1986.  I think these cards would’ve looked better if they didn’t place a big white border around the painting.  The picture should take up the entire card.

“Pin-Up” of the Week: 2015 Little League World Series Jackie Robinson West “Cheetah” Pin

Next week the 2015 Little League World Series starts.  It runs from 8/20 to 8/30.  Promotional pins will be flowing like water.  Many district and even some corporate pins have already begun to surface.  More will soon follow.

If you remember correctly, the Jackie Robinson West team from Chicago won the U.S. title beating Las Vegas.  They moved on to the World Championship and ended up losing to South Korea.  Not too long after that, Jackie Robinson West was being accused of recruiting players that live outside of the legal boundaries.  They were stripped of their U.S. title and its been a court battle ever since.

I highly doubt that this pin is officially licensed by Little League.  Even though it has Little League on it, I think you can use those words without getting into trouble.  Now if you were using the official Little League logo, that would be a different story.  The character on here looks VERY similar to Chester Cheetah.  His hat has a “42” on it for Jackie Robinson, and the “W” on the shirt is for West.  The word “Cheetah” sounds like “cheater” and as you can see the medal and rule book are in the trash.

I believe someone had these made up because they knew collectors would find them amusing.  One on eBay recently sold for $23.63.  The same seller had another one up for sale and the price was bid up to over $50.00.  But for some reason the auction was closed early.

“Pin-Up” of the Week: 2012 New Era Pinstripe Bowl – West Virginia vs. Syracuse Pin

The New Era Pinstripe Bowl has been played at Yankee Stadium since 2010.  Watching a football game inside Yankee Stadium must be pretty different looking.  Its probably like watching the Winter Classic in Citizens Bank Park.  This year, Syracuse took on West Virginia and went on to win 38-14.  The MVP was Price-Tyson Gulley.

For being a simple looking pin, it apparently isn’t the easiest one to find.  They continue to sell for $30.00.

Card of the Day: Don West 2009 TRISTAR TNA Impact #51

Card of the Day: Don West 2008 TRISTAR TNA Autographs