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).



Friday, March 31, 2017

2017 Topps Opening Day

I have been busy lately, and have not had time to buy new product, nor do any trading.  I am holding off on trading until I get all of my stuff entered into The Trading Card Database.  In the meantime, I finally was able to get my hands on some new stuff, and I was pretty pleased with what I got because there were lots of Royals and Cubs in my blaster box.

Matt Strahm - I think he is going to be a big key to the Royals bullpen success this year.




Always love the throwback uni's from the 70's and 80's


When insert cards are involved, my two favorite colors are blue and green.


Inserts

Yum!  Mac and cheese!








At least one of the inserts will go into my player collections

Thursday, March 30, 2017

2017 Fantasy Baseball

I had my fantasy baseball draft this past weekend.  I think I did alright, but my pitching might be questionable.  Here's how I drafted with cards that I own of these players:

Team Sponge Babe




First Round:
Per the league point system, Rotowire placed him at number 5 overall to draft.
Second Round:
Not too bad, well rounded player.  Hopefully lots of home runs!
Third Round:
I really wanted him on my team.  It's always fun when you have one of your favorite players on your fantasy team.

Fourth Round:
Votto was there, and I took him.  I think Votto is a very underrated player, so I hope this works out.  He will be my starting utility player.
Fifth Round:
Outfielders were starting to go quickly, so I wanted to try to get someone who will be consistent.  Hit over .300 last year.  

Sixth Round:
Consistently a good second basemen, although not one of my favorite players.

Seventh Round:
Pitchers were starting to go here, as well, so I wanted to get someone quick.  Hopefully he  can repeat last year's success.  

Eighth Round:
Needed to quickly pick up another pitcher.  Again, hopefully can repeat the success of last year.

Ninth Round:
Wanted to get a good group of three outfielders.  Upton is not normally someone I would draft, but  hopefully I've underestimated him over the years.
Tenth Round:
Good pitcher, not a great year last year.  Hopefully he'll get points with strike outs and innings.

Eleventh Round:
Closers going big here; needed a reliable front line closer.  Hopefully Herrera will pick up where Wade Davis left off.

Twelfth Round:
Fourth consecutive opening day start for the Braves.

Thirteenth Round:
Another Cubbie; usually wins more games than he loses.
14th Round:
Had a pretty good WBC, so hopefully that follows him into the 2017 season.
15th Round:
 Had 38 saves last year, and hopefully this year he'll match that 38.
16th Round:
Catchers were gone, so he'll have to do.  Thinking about picking up Wilson Ramos when he comes off the DL in  July.

17th Round:
Named the Orioles opening day starter, so hopefully that will lead to good things in 2017.  Losing record last year.

18th Round:
I was surprised he was still here.  Hopefully big things this year with a full year in Pittsburgh.

19th Round:
He was on my team last year, and was one of my starting OF.  He will be a bench player for me to start the season.

20th Rounds:
I wasn't sure about this pick.  Had an ok year last year, was hurt for some of the year.

21st Round:
Last pick.  I was looking for another bench OF.  Besides catcher, I feel that OF is my weakest spot (besides maybe some of the pitching).

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

2017 Heritage

I bought some 2017 Heritage.  It's been the best design, in my opinion, since 2011.  I bought a blaster pack, and here's what I got:

 First card


The player collection cards I got out of the whole box.


Short Prints


League Leaders


Rookie Stars card


World Series cards


All Topps selection cards.  I love the concept of completing the set to make a puzzle on the back. 


Discs


Then and Now.  This insert set is starting to get boring.


1968 Topps Game


Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Another Zistle trade with bdlehman18

Frequent Zistle trade partner bdlehman18 got with me for a small trade.  I like Neil Walker in a Mets uni!

Player collection


Cubs collection


Presidential collection





Monday, March 27, 2017

Zistle trade with flamethrower

flamethrower was able to send me several needs, most of which included Cubs and Royals.


The Trevor Cahill will go into my Cubs mega collection.


This Kris Bryant will go into my small set that I started that revolves around the Cubs All Star Game and World Series cards from 2015-2016.


These Royals All Star and World Series cards will go into my small set that I started that revolves around the Royals All Star Game and World Series cards from 2014-2016.


A random player collection card.