The Spirit of Giving

Around Christmastime, we always talk about the Spirit of Giving.  True enough, people generally think more about gifting to others through the months of November and December than at any time.  During that Season of Giving, Jason at Hoarding Cardboard ran a Season of Giving segment on his blog, where he gave away a card to a random winner each day.  I just happened to win on one of those days, but it was a card that I felt fit into another blogger's collection a little better, so I had the card sent to Matt instead.

As is typically the case in the cardsphere, the Spirit of Giving knows no seasonal bounds, because Jason sent me a package about a month later.  He wrote a little note of thanks for my spirit of giving and did some damage to my wantlists.

He sent me some set building needs. I'm now down to only five 1993 Fleer needs and single digits for 1996 Donruss.

Jason sure know my preferences.  Like, how about some Hall of Fame offensive linemen?  The Walter Jones card on the top left is interesting.  This appears to be some extracurricular action going on here.  I can't think of another scenario where Jones has his helmet flying off as he wraps up a defender who doesn't appear to have come up with a turnover.  The card in the middle of the top row is a rookie card of newest Canton resident, Kevin Mawae.

Not a Hall of Famer, but Mark Stepnoski was a solid o-linemen in his time, too.  If you don't believe me just check out what the media (and former NFL players themselves) thought of him.  These two cards are a Summerall's Best Playoff subset and a Ditka's Picks playing card.

Every player on this card is on the NFL's All-Decade team for the 2000's.  One (Harrison) is a Hall of Famer, two more (Manning and Freeney) are probably already being fitted for the their gold jackets, and the remaining player (James) has been a finalist more than once and will most likely get in someday.  That's quite a team.  The card says 2003 team leaders, but these stats come from the 2002 season.  The 2002 Colts finished 10-6, good for a Wild Card berth.  Manning and Harrison were the only two Pro Bowlers on the team.  Surprisingly, it was the defense that was better that year, as the Colts finished with the #17 scoring offense and the #7 scoring defense.

Now we get to the part of the package when I get cards of my favorite teams.  LeRoy Butler represents the Packers here, and that's just fine with me.

Jason also sent me some BYU greats.  Yes, Kurt Gouveia is scanned upside-down in the top row.  No, I'm not going to back and rescan it.  It is how it is, and that's how it will stay.  It will go into the page right-side up, though.

Jason really didn't have to send anything.  Among card collectors, I think most of us are always ready and willing to give.  Thanks to all of you for your generosity, and Jason in particular for this great package.