Welcome to my blog!!!

I have collected baseball cards and autographs over the years. I still have boxes full of cards (as well as newer cards) that are just sitting there. So, I have decided to see how many of them I can get autographed. I use through the mail as my preferred route for this adventure. I also have an account on Zistle and The Trading Card Database for trading purposes (stevienicks77).



Thursday, August 29, 2013

Zistle trade with shoebox

Another trade via Zistle, however, a first time trading partner with shoebox.  He sent me some card that I needed to help me towards completing the 2013 Topps Series 2 set.  Here are the others:

Player collection cards:


Marv Cook, former Iowa Hawkeye!


Martin Hanzal, former Omaha Lancer!


Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Zistle trade with bdlehman18

Another trade with bdlehman18, via Zistle.  We have traded before, and it's always been a great outcome!

Some George Brett Cards for the binder!


These guys were pretty good back in 1987.  For my 1987 Donruss collection!


Jeff Conine player collection:


Gary Carter player collection:


Cubbies!!!



Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Trade with Angels in Order

I received a message from Tom, over at The Angels, In Order, about wanting to do some swapping.  He totally hooked me up with some of my want list needs!

Catchers!  I have NEVER owned a card of any of these guys, until now! 

 Jorge Posada, Jason Varitek, and Javy Lopez

Two of my all time favorites! 
 Terry Steinbach and Damon Berryhill

Does anyone remember when these guys were catchers?  I know Sweeney used to catch, but never saw him actually do it.

 Ryan Garko and Mike Sweeney

Set needs!  Here are just a few of the many 2011 Heritage cards I got!


A few of the 2012 Bowman Platinum I received!


Finally, Cubs and Royals!  Here are a few for my binder!



Thanks, Tom!!

Monday, August 26, 2013

Joel Skinner

Joel Skinner is currently the manager for the Charlotte Knights, the AAA team of the Chicago White Sox.  He is someone I wanted to add to my collection because he's a catcher!

Joel Skinner
Signed 4/4
Sent c/o Charlotte Knights
131 days


Sunday, August 25, 2013

Randy Ready

Randy Ready is currently the manager of the Gwinnett Braves, the AAA team of the Atlanta Braves.

Randy Ready
Signed 3/3
Sent c/o Gwinnett Braves
120 days


Saturday, August 24, 2013

Gary Varsho

I love the Cubs, so I like to get my Cub cards autographed.  These were cards that I thought would be long gone, so I was really happy to see them back!  This is my second success with Gary Varsho!

Gary Varsho
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Home address
316 days


Friday, August 23, 2013

Jeremy Guthrie

I was really excited to send mail to Jeremy Guthrie again, especially since he's now with the Royals.  I follow him on Twitter, and he seems like a great guy with a Jordan shoe fetish.  He was one of the first people I sent a TTM to, when I started collecting again in 2010.  I traded for a 2012 Topps Walmart blue Guthrie card to get a signature on, so I was really excited to get that back.  When I saw the post mark was from Detroit, he must have been signing mail while the Royals were taking 3 of 5 from the Tigers, including a double header sweep!  Anyway, double header sweep and taking 3 of 5 good, me not getting my blue Guthrie back, bad.  Oh well.

Jeremy Guthrie
Signed 1/2 (kept other card)
Sent c/o Kansas City Royals
117 days


Sunday, August 18, 2013

Comments

I can't figure out how to enable, or whatever, to respond to comments made about posts.  So, they really stupid way to do this is...

No, the Puig card is not for trade.  Sorry! 

Friday, August 16, 2013

2013 Allen & Ginter

I bought an 2013 Allen & Ginter blaster box last week.  I really wasn't excited about this set when it was previewed on the internet.  When I opened all my packs, I noticed a lot of retired players in the set; I think this year's set has too many.  I would love to see this set pick 15 players to add to the set every year, and make it different players than in previous years.  Spread the love around, Topps.  I also don't care for the sub-sets this year, either.  I wasn't really impressed with the 2012 sub-sets, either.  In fact, I've never really been interested in the Allen & Ginter sub-sets, at all.  I will not be collecting this whole set.  I will probably buy one more blaster box, but that will be about it.  Here is what I got:

Current Players:  My only Cub and Royal, as well as a future HOF.


Raul Ibanez
Denard Span
Jason Heyward
Howie Kendrick
Ian Kennedy
Clayton Kershaw
Yovani Gallardo
David Ortiz
Derek Holland
Edwin Encarnacion
Jordan Zimmerman
Kris Medlen
Wade Miley SP
Alex Rios SP

Old dudes:  Here are my favorite retired players.  I was super excited when I got the Gary Carter.  One of my favorite players of all time!


Duke Snider
Jim Rice
Brooks Robinson
Phil Niekro

I don't know if anyone noticed this, but I have to give a shout out to Topps, they gave Gary Carter the #8 card.  RIP The Kid




Famous people (?): 



Byamba (sumo wrestler)
Amelia Boone (world's toughest mudder)
Grand Central Terminal (NYC landmark)
Henry Rollins SP (musician)

Across The Years:
Jesus Montero
Gio Gonzalez
Jason Heyward
Sandy Koufax

Insert cards:
Civilizatons of Ages Past:  Babylonians
One Little Corner:  Jupiter
Martial Mastery:  Vikings

Minis:

Doug Fister
Carlos Gonzalez
Bobby Doerr
Ian Kinsler (A&G back)
Tommy Lee (A&G back)


Mini inserts:
The First Americans:  Zuni & Navajo

Thursday, August 15, 2013

2013 Bowman Platinum

When I bought last year's Bowman Platinum set, it was my first exposure to the set since I have taken card collecting back up.  I *still* am trying to complete last year's full set.  This year's set is very nice, and I have thought about trying to collect the whole thing, but I am afraid I will end up in the same boat trying to complete the 2013 set as I am the 2012 set.  I bought a blaster box and here is what I got:

 Main set:


Andrew McCutchen
Trevor Rosenthal RC
Carlos Ruiz
Paco Rodriguez RC
Josh Reddick
Alfredo Marte RC
Albert Pujols
Matt Kemp

Gold and Blue cards:


Cutting Edge Stars:  Bleh, Robinson Cano.  I always get his insert cards.


Prospects:  I do like the choices of prospects for this years set better than last years.  I was lucky and got quite a few that I already collect!


Mason Williams NYY
Joe Ross SD
Alen Hanson PIT
Gary Brown SF
Trevor Story COL
Miguel Sano MIN
Jose Berrios MIN

Chrome Prospects:


I also got this Chrome Prospect X-fractor of Nick Franklin.


Top Prospects:  I like the 2012 design for this set better than this years.  However, I got lucky and got a Cubbie!


Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Matt Dominguez

Matt Dominguez is currently playing for the Houston Astros.  He was a Marlins prospect who was traded to the Astros in 2012 for Carlos Lee.  I'm currently thinking of picking him up in my fantasy baseball league because my starter, David Wright, is hurt, and there are no other options for third basemen in our league.

Matt Dominguez
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Houston Astros
105 days

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Mark Salas

I wanted to get Mark Salas' autograph, again, to add some more catchers to my collection.  Unfortunately, I didn't have any cards left with him in his catching gear, so these will do.

Mark Salas
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Chicago White Sox
109 days

Monday, August 12, 2013

Scott Downs

Scott Downs was recently traded from the Angles to the Braves.  He sent this back to me right before he was traded to the Braves.

Scott Downs
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Los Angels Angels of Anaheim
54 days

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Craig Lefferts

Craig Lefferts is currently the pitching coach for Vermont Lake Monsters, Class A short season affiliate of the Oakland A's.  He signed 3 of my 4 cards for me!

Craig Lefferts
Signed 3/4
Sent c/o Vermont Lake Monsters
50 days

State of my blog

I know that I haven't posted in a month, and I've had many Zistle trades proposed to me, however, we've been dealing with family stuff and life stuff that hasn't allowed me to have much time to trade, blog, or send out TTM's.  However, I think life is starting to calm down a little bit, and my hope is that within the next week or so, I can update everyone on the few TTM's I've gotten back in the last couple of weeks.  For my Zistle trade partners, we'll be trading again soon!!