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, May 12, 2017

Just Commons purchase

Not only did I shop at COMC, I also did some shopping at Just Commons.  I wanted to make sure I was getting competitive prices on the cards I purchased, especially because I purchased cards to complete my sets.  I also was able to snag cards for my player collections that I didn't get through COMC.

2010 Topps Pro Debut




2016 Topps Opening Day



Cubbies




Royals


Player collections


Iowa Hawkeyes baseball


Wednesday, May 10, 2017

COMC purchase - player collections

I was really excited to get some specific cards for my player collections that I would not normally have the opportunity to trade for.

Royals:  I love the Hosmer Musem and Triple Threads cards.



  Player collections:  I love the old A's uniform from the Topps High Tek set.
 


Cubs:  My first black A&G card.



This is my very first Desert Storm card from 1991.


Presidential collection:  I still need the Jackie mini from A&G First Ladies insert set.

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

30 Day Baseball Card Challenge - Day 30

The last day, day 30.  This challenge was fun, inspiring, reflective and informative.  I'm not sure who came up with the guidelines, but I hope another challenge comes out in the future with different criteria.  The last day is your favorite card in your collection.  I chose this card because it is unique and memorable card in my collection, and it is one of my favorite cards.  The 2012 All Star Game in Kansas City was a big deal.  I knew Topps was giving away cards at their booth if you brought in 5 wrappers.  I stopped at Target prior to heading down to the festivities at Bartle Hall.  I went to the booth, gave them my 5 wrappers, and they asked me what player card do I want.  I didn't hesitate in saying Eric Hosmer.  Who knew a short time later, these Royals were making two World Series appearances and won a World Series trophy.


COMC purchase - the sets

I recently spent some time on COMC and Just Commons to look to see if I could fulfill some set needs.  As I browsed both sites, I couldn't help but want some other things for my collections that are not normally available for trade from my trade partners.  So, I decided to get some set needs and some player collection needs.  Here is what I got for my sets:

2016 Topps - 100 Years at Wrigley Field:  This one will probably take me forever to complete, with multiple Kris Bryant cards in the set, but I'll keep chugging along.


2012 Bowman Platinum:  After this card, I only need a Manny Machado and this set is complete!


2016 Topps Opening Day:  I'm trying to complete the base set and the insert sets.  Hopefully this one will be done sooner rather than later.  I have a feeling the Mascots will be the most difficult insert set to complete.


2015 Topps Pro Debut:  I will probably have to complete this set via COMC and Just Commons.  Not many people have Pro Debut for trade.


2010 Topps Pro Debut:  Still working on this set and inserts.  Again, not many people have Pro Debut for trade, so it's taken me awhile to work on this one.


1993 Upper Deck Then & Now:  One more down, several still to go.


2011 Topps Heritage:  I finally have the base set completed with the Desmond Jennings card!  I still have a bunch of SP cards to go, but I did snag one in my purchase.  I only have one more New Age Performer to go (Pujols), and I completed the News Flashbacks insert set!


2015 Topps Archives:  A couple of insert cards.  These were the last two Presidential Chronicle cards I needed to complete that insert set.



2014 Topps Archives:  A couple down, many more to go.


2010 Bowman Draft:  One of each.  Again, not many people have these cards for trade, so it's taking a lot of time to complete this set.


Monday, May 8, 2017

2017 Bowman

When I saw what the 2017 Bowman product would look like, I was not impressed; same old stuff from Bowman.  However, when I opened my blaster box, I was quite impressed with the photos.  They are very sharp, and the design behind the logo doesn't look as bad as I thought.  I saw a blogger post what they received from their blaster box (which was a nice box), and I had very good success, as well.

Base


Prospects base


Chrome Prospects


Unfortunately, not much for my player collections from this blaster.


World Baseball Classic - I'm not sure how I feel about these being in the set.


Inserts






Finally...COLOR!!


30 Day Baseball Card Challenge - Day 29

Two days left...day 29.  A favorite card before 1950, whether you own it or not.  This was tough, but I first chose a player, former Iowan Bob Feller.  While researching his cards prior to 1950, I decided to showcase his 1938 Goudy Heads-Up card.



Sunday, May 7, 2017

Tyson Ross

Tyson Ross was kind enough to sign one of my cards.  I wish he would have chose the other card I sent to sign, though (2016 Topps Chrome).  This is my second success from Mr. Ross.

Tyson Ross
Signed 1/2
Sent c/o Texas Rangers
22 days

30 Day Baseball Card Challenge - Day 28

3 to go...day 28.  A favorite relic/manufactured relic card.  This was a redemption card I got as part of a Valentine's day gift from a 2015 Topps Strata box.  I would say this is one of the best cards in my collection; a Top 10 collection card.  I remember I was thrilled because at least it was a redemption card of a player that I collected and a 1/1 (which I only have two 1/1 in my collection)!  It is a 2015 Topps Strata Matt Harvey Clearly Authentic Autographed Relic Red Majestic Logo.





Saturday, May 6, 2017

Christian Arroyo

This was an awesome return.  He must have signed this right before he was called up to the Giants.  I was surprised he didn't make the Giant's roster out of spring training.

Christian Arroyo
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Sacramento River Cats
22 days


30 Day Baseball Card Challenge - Day 27

4 to go...Day 28.  A favorite oddball card from 1990 or later.  I remember getting these cards in Coke products.  I liked the design because it was similar to the 1992 Donruss set, yet had the gold colored border.  I have several of these cards in my collection, but I picked this one because of the old orange Astros uniforms.



Friday, May 5, 2017

Ryan Boldt

Ryan Boldt was an autograph I wanted to add to my collection because he's a former Nebraska Cornhusker.  He's currently at the Rays Class A Adv. Affiliate, the Charlotte Stone Crabs.

Ryan Boldt
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Charlotte Stone Crabs
20 days

30 Day Baseball Card Challenge - Day 26

The final countdown.  5 days to go....Day 26.  A favorite oddball card from the 1980's.  I chose this from my collection, a 1984 Ralson Purina Wade Boggs.  I also have some Ralson Purina cards from 1987, but they stopped using logos; probably because they were not affiliated with Topps on the 1987 cards.


Thursday, May 4, 2017

30 Day Baseball Card Challenge - Day 25

Day 25...A favorite oddball card from the 1970's.  I chose the 1977 Topps Cloth Sticker.  Cloth sticker cards were recently released as insert sets in 2011 Topps Lineage and 2012 Topps Archives, with the 2012 Topps Archives using the 1977 design.



Wednesday, May 3, 2017

30 Day Baseball Card Challenge - Day 24

Day 24...A favorite oddball card from the 1960's.  Topps has recently released these as inserts in their 2015 Topps Archives and 2017 Heritage sets.  I think they are unique.