Jon Rauch

Jon Rauch is currently pitching with the Royals as a NRI.  He graciously sent me mail back from Spring Training.  I wish him all the best in his chances of making the Royals roster.

Jon Rauch
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Royals ST
20 days

Finally! Spring Training mail back!

This year, I decided to send out less mail to Spring Training than compared to previous years.  I had been reading on several blogs that others were starting to have Spring Training successes this year.  I was starting to get worried that I wasn't going to get anything back.  Finally, yesterday, I got two back.  This first one was a gamble, and I'm glad to have it back!

Wilin Rosario
Signed 1/1
Sent Rockies ST
22 days

Wesley Walker

I received mail back this week from Wesley Walker.  He played for the New York J-E-T-S his whole career and was selected to two Pro Bowls.  I had written this one off since I had sent it in 2011.  He didn't return my cards, but there was a signed piece of paper instead.  I'm kinda bummed that I didn't get my cards autographed.  I liked the old Jets green helmets.

Wesley Walker
Signed 0/2 (sent signed paper)
Sent c/o Home address
686 days

Another LCS trip

I'm really getting  serious about completing some of my collecting goals this year.  So, to accomplish that, I needed another trip to my LCS.  I raided his 2010 Bowman Draft and Bowman Chrome Draft.  I *almost* completed the main sets of each, but still have some work to do on the prospects.  I have updated my needs list.

Here are a few that I got to help myself get closer to completing my sets.  Plus, I snagged doubles for players in my PC.

Cubbies:  As I was browsing the many boxes of Bowman at the LCS, I came across these for my Cubs binder.  Plus, the Sean Gallagher goes in my Cubs collection.

Royals:  Same thing here.  Snagged these while scanning a few big boxes.

Finally, a few for the PCs.  The Ike Davis is a purple refractor, but the scan sort of makes it look blue.

Another Zistle trade

Since I have gone back to school, it has really limited my time doing TTM and buying cards.  I haven't completed many trades, either, but hpennington22 helped me out recently.

Royals:  I really have a soft spot for those 2013 Topps Emerald cards.  Plus, I got a Rico Rossy to add to my Royals collection.

Player collections:

Cubbies:  I think I'm warming up to the 2014 Topps red parallel cards.  I think it looks especially good with the Cubs players.

Bill Spiers

This is my first 2014 return, now only 49 more to go!  It's March 1, and I set a goal of 50.  I think I may have aimed too high, but we'll see.  I sent out 10 to Spring Training.  I usually send more, but this year I decided to cut back because my Spring Training percentage has not been good in the past, and since I started school again, it's really been cutting into my hobby time.  Bummer, but I'll live.

Bill Spiers is a former first round draft pick of the Brewers.  He ended up playing for a total of three teams during his career.

Bill Spiers
Signed 3/3
Sent c/o Home address
39 days

Billy Ray Smith

Another NFL player back...seems like I've had a lot of the lately.  I had actually written this one off because it had been well over a year.  He played his entire career with the Chargers.  Thanks for the mail back!

Billy Ray Smith

Signed 2/2

Sent c/o Home address

645 days

He also included this on the back of the envelope.