Card: Topps 1990 1000 Yard Club
Acquired: 2018, Future Considerations
See Also: Eric Martin
Eric Martin has some really nice cards but after getting the previous three signed, I was somewhat tapped out. Luckily while trying to locate a card for Dalton Hilliard I stumbled upon this gem as well. Topps wasn’t really well known for bringing out quality cards during this period but this action shot really got my attention. Since Eric retired he has received a few honors, being inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.
I was really pleased to get two of my favorite collectors connected. Lance and Deadhorse have been good to me over the years, and I’ve spotted them both freebees- and in return they’ve done the same for me. Deadhorse had big needs from the Topps 88 set in both Eric Martin (an erratic signer TTM) and Dalton Hilliard (a non-signer TTM). It just so happened that Lance let me in on a signing he was attending in Louisiana at a casino. After a bit of convincing I networked the two together. I did not need any thank-you’s. The act of knowing that I was able to connect two collectors by the sheer fact that they trusted me, was enough for me. We now have a tiny hobby network and try to collaborate together and help each other out when we can.
He’d make the team and start 11 games in each of the next 3 seasons while also handling return duties on special teams. In 1988 Eric started his first full 16 game slate and it paid dividends with him catching a career high 85 balls for 1083 yards and 7 touchdowns. At the conclusion of the season, Martin earned his and only first Pro Bowl nomination. He’d have another solid season in 1989, logging career high 1090 yards and 8 touchdowns on 68 receptions.