Wayne Gretzky

Yes, this blog is about Bruins cards, but I have to mention the Gretzky cards I've amassed over the years. I have every mainstream released card, all variations, from his rookie card (and I have three of those) through 1989-90, all in great condition (even the 1980-81 Topps cards are have flawless, unscratched pucks). After that there's not much of interest, but I do have all of the Upper Deck cards from 1990-91 through 1992-93 (including all SPs, inserts, and French variations). I also have multiple cards from other side releases in the 1980s like Vachon, Esso, McDonald's, and at least one variation of every Red Rooster release.

There are other things I'll never try for, like the Italian and Finnish SportsCaster "rookie cards," the 1982-83 Neilson's 50-card set, O-Pee-Chee / Panini / Topps stickers, any oversized "super" cards or posters, and other non-mainstream items. I don't think I'll ever get around to chasing down the other Red Rooster variations, as they don't have different pictures or backs, just different captions (though there is an extremely rare Red Rooster version where Gretzky looks more like a Van Halen). Similarly, I'm not really missing any box bottoms, as I have either the Topps or O-Pee-Chee version of each one (just not usually both).

My favorite Gretzky card is not his rookie card, but rather the Super Action card (#125) from 1981-82 O-Pee-Chee. There's nothing really spectacular about this card, except that it seemed to me to capture the moment he realized he was about to turn defense into offense (though in reality, based on the rest of the background, it's likely this was just a shot during warm-ups). It's also the first card I recall where the player wasn't named on the front (and the only player who didn't need his name plastered on the card). I remember pulling this card from a pack multiple times, after stealing my very first copy of it from David Boivin. Sorry David.

My next favorite card was the 1983-84 O-Pee-Chee highlight card, where he is skating with Mark Messier. I remember coveting this card as one of the only cards to intentionally picture two teammates (there are many, but I didn't know of them then). And after that season, Messier switched from left wing to center, so it was unlikely they'd be captured on the ice together very often.

Cards from Gretzky's rookie year