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1989 Topps hockey card of former NHL defenseman Ray Bourque, whose career spanned 21 seasons, mostly with the Boston Bruins. Bourque holds the NHL record for most career goals and assists by a defenseman, and anchored the Bruins’ defense corps for many years, winning 5 Norris Trophies signifying the league’s top defenseman. In his final season, he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche, where he finally completed his long quest to win a Stanley Cup. Bourque was elected to the Hockey Hall of fame in 2004.

1963 Fleer football card, from www.CheckOutMyCards.com , of an American Football League legend, Buffalo Bills’ fullback Cookie Gilchrist, who passed away this week at the age of 75. Gilchrist joined the Bills in 1962 after playing in the Canadian Football League and became the dominant running back in the young AFL, as he was the first back in the league to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season, accomplishing the feat in 1962. The following season, he set a pro football record by rushing for 243 yards and scoring 5 touchdowns in a game against the New York Jets. Gilchrist was a major force for the Bills’ AFL championship team in 1964, but fell out of favor with team management after that season and was traded to Denver. Despite playing only 3 seasons with the Bills, Gilchrist still ranks fifth on the team’s all-time career rushing list.

From www.CheckOutMyCards.com , a 1988 Fleer basketball card of former Indiana Pacer forward Reggie Miller. Miller was one of the sweetest shooters in the NBA during his career, and holds the league record for most three-point shots made. He played all 18 seasons of his NBA career with the Pacers, and his # 31 jersey is retired by the team. He helped the U.S. Olympic basketball team win a gold medal in 1996, and was known for his “confrontations” with New York Knick fan Spike Lee. Miller currently works as an analyst on NBA games for the TNT network.

This 1975 Topps baseball card of George Brett, from www.CheckOutMyCards.com , is the Hall of Fame third baseman’s “rookie” card, which makes it a valuable one. Brett played 21 years in the major leagues, all for the Kansas City Royals. In 1985, Brett had an outstanding World Series, and his clutch hitting helped the Royals overcome a 3-1 deficit in games and defeat the St. Louis Cardinals for the only championship in Royals’ history. He ranks 15th all time on the career hits list, and his 3,154 total hits are the most among third basemen. Brett was a 13 time All Star in his career, and his uniform # 5 is retired by the Royals.

1989 Topps hockey card of former National Hockey League player Pat Verbeek, who played 20 years in the league for various teams, mainly the New Jersey Devils and the old Hartford Whalers. Known for his aggressiveness, he is the only player in NHL history to total 500 goals and 2,500 penalty minutes in his career. He retired in 2002, and is currently employed as a pro scout for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

1955 All American football card of the famous “Four Horsemen” backfield of Notre Dame. Consisting of Elmer Layden, Don Miller, Harry Stuhldreher and Jim Crowley, they played three seasons under legendary coach Knute Rockne. The nickname was coined by the era’s poetic sportswriter, Grantland Rice, in their final season, 1924. Notre Dame lost only 2 games in the 3 years that the famous backfield combination played together. All four players were college football coaches in their later careers, with Layden coaching at Notre Dame.

1971 Topps basketball card of NBA Hall of Famer Bob Lanier, from www.CheckOutMyCards.com . A graduate of St. Bonaventure, Lanier played 14 seasons in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks. He was an eight-time All Star, and his # 16 jersey is retired by both franchises. He was famous for his size 22 sneakers, and today, in a display at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, visitors can compare their shoe size with Lanier’s. Lanier served briefly as interim head coach of the Golden State Warriors in 1995 after Don Nelson resigned.

1972 Topps baseball card, from www.CheckOutMyCards.com , of major league baseball legend Pete Rose. Rose was one of the game’s all-time greats, as he still stands as baseball’s leader in hits, games played and at-bats. A switch-hitter, “Charley Hustle” was known for his aggressive style of play and was a 17-time All Star. He played on 3 World Series winning teams, won 3 batting titles and an MVP award. He was a manager after he retired as a player, but got into trouble for gambling on his team’s games and was banned from the game for life by commissioner Bart Giamatti. Rose remains ineligible for the baseball Hall of Fame to this day.

1989 Topps hockey card of former Detroit Red Wing star Steve Yzerman. Yzerman was named Red Wings captain at the age of 21, and served in that role for the next 2 decades, becoming the longing serving team captain in North American sports history. “Stevie Y” led the Wings to three Stanley Cup titles in his career, and retired in 2006. He was inducted into the hockey Hall of Fame in 2009. Yzerman is currently the general manager of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning.

1970 Topps football card of former Miami Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese. Griese, a pro football Hall of Famer, was drafted by Miami in 1967, and flourished after Don Shula took over as coach in 1970, leading the Dolphins to 3 consecutive Super Bowls, 2 of which they won. Griese is credited with quarterbacking the Dolphins’ undefeated 17-0 season in 1972, but actually he was injured most of the year and Earl Morrall led them to most of their wins. Griese currently works as a college football analyst for ABC.