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, March 28, 2013

Target is making me mad

I normally do my card shopping between Walmart and Target.  In an earlier post, I attempted to go to Target to get 2013 Heritage since I have gift cards to Target.  I went there last Wednesday to pick up a couple of packs of 2013 Opening Day, which was released on Monday.  Again, Target failed me, and had no Opening Day, however, they now had Heritage single packs...bleh.

Then, I had an "a-ha" moment.  I have a Toys-R-Us near me.  In fact, it's closer than Walmart and Target.  The first thing I did yesterday after getting back from vacation was go to the store and pick up some Opening Day, plus, I've always wanted some purple cards.  I got there, and they did have it!  They were selling it a little differently than the other places.  It was 3 packs in a package, plus an "extra pack."  Each pack had 7 cards.  So, essentially it was 4 packs.  I bought two of these for $8 and change (including tax).  Here is what I got:

 Card for my player collections:

Purple parallels:

I love the Cano, but I don't like purple and orange on the Bumgarner.

Inserts:






Finally, I am very disappointed with the other cards I got.  I bought 6 packs plus 2 "extra packs" between my two packages I bought.  Two of the packs were essentially the same cards in them.

Pack 1:


Pack 2:

I also ended up with two Wade Miley's out of everything I bought.

Oh yeah, those "extra packs,"

All they were were just a pack of 2013 Topps Series 1 slipped in with the Opening Day packs.  I didn't get anything special.  This is probably my favorite card I got:


Wednesday, March 27, 2013

No Opening Day cards at Target

Target, again, did not have the cards I wanted to buy at their store.  I want to use my gift certificates!  However, when I was scanning what they had, I did pick up a couple of cheap packs of old cards.  I bought a pack of 2007 Upper Deck and 2008 Upper Deck Documentary.  I had never seen or heard of the Documentary set before; now I wish I would have bought the rest of the packs they had.

When I opened the pack of 2007 Upper Deck, this would have been a huge hit back then:


 Here is what else what in the pack:


When I opened the pack of the Upper Deck Documentary, I didn't know what to expect.  But, I love it!


I wish my insert card would have been someone for my player collection:


Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Vacation!!!



I finally had a much needed vacation last week.  When I got home, I had several envelopes to open!  I do apologize if I haven't gotten back to you yet if you messaged me via Zistle.  I will get back to you this week!

My first return was from Xavier Nady, who was in camp with the Royals.  I actually got this card before I left, but I just didn't have time to scan it in.  Nady was cut today by the Royals, and now is a free agent.

Xavier Nady
Signed 1/2 (didn't return the other card)
Sent c/o Royals ST
27 days


















Next up is Don Slaught.  I am pumped to get this back because he's a catcher!  I can add another Yankee catcher to my collection, and it's my first Pirate catcher card that I've gotten TTM'd.

Don Slaught
Signed 4/4
Sent c/o Right View Pro Baseball & Softball Training
18 days






















Another Nationals card for my TTM collection!  I only have two others, and I love the picture on this card!

Ross Detwiler
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Nationals ST
28 days













Vinnie Pestano sent me mail from Indians spring training.  I love his signature!

Vinnie Pestano
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Indians ST
28 days













Finally, another catcher back!  I wish I had a card of Drew Butera in his catching gear, but I don't, so this card had to do!

Drew Butera
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Twins ST
34 days

Monday, March 18, 2013

Trade with somethingcreative

This is my first trade I've completed with somethingcreative via Zistle.  He is also a Cubbie fan! :)
We did a big trade, so here are some of the highlights:

A John Kruk rookie card for my 1987 Donruss collection:


Several for my player collections:


Several cards for my Royals player collection, which I have updated as of the weekend:


Cubs cards for my Cubs player collection:


I saw this Fleer Moises Alou on Zistle, and I really wanted this card.  I have never seen it before, and I really like the look of this card.  On the back is his stats from the year, and the percentage of the Cubs total offense, per category, that he contributed to.  Also, on the back was a seating chart of Wrigley Field.

Finally, a card for my JFK collection, even if it is about Cuba:

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Trade with zac247s

This is the third trade I've done with zac247s via Zistle.  This time, he hooked me up with some 2011 Heritage I needed to help me work towards completing my collection.  In return, I sent him some cards, including some 2013 Topps Cardinals I have pulled! 

Here are a few of the cards he sent me:


Saturday, March 16, 2013

Spring Training TTM

My mailbox has been busy the last two days!

First up, Ty Wigginton sent back my card from Cardinals camp.  The auto is a funky, but it's still my favorite card that I have of him!

Ty Wigginton
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Cardinals ST
19 days


















Mike Tomczak sent me this awesome looking Score football card back.  Tomczak won a Super Bowl ring with the Bears back in Super Bowl XX.  It was his first year in the NFL, and did get to play a little in the big game!

Mike Tomczak
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Home address
9 days



















Michael Wuertz was invited to Spring Training with the Marlins this year, however, he was cut.  :(     I hope he makes it onto the roster of another MLB team.  He was one of my favorite Cubs when he played for them.  This autograph came back a little funky, as well.

Michael Wuertz
Signed 1/2 (kept other card)
Sent c/o Marlins ST
28 days


Friday, March 15, 2013

Mike Krukow

I thought these cards were long gone!  I got these back the other day!  A great surprise!  Mike currently does TV for the Giants games.

Mike Krukow
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o San Francisco Giants
263 days

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Darren Daulton

I was successful a second time with Darren Daulton.  The first time I sent to him, he only signed one card and kept the rest (two other cards).  So this time, I only sent the one, and got another 1987 Topps autographed!  Yah, another catcher!

Darren Daulton
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Home address
22 days

Monday, March 11, 2013

Bobby Wilson

Another return from Spring Training!  And, it's from Yankees camp.  I was really hoping to get Bobby Wilson to return my TTM because he can be added to my catcher TTM collection!  I hope Bobby wins the back-up job in NYC!!

Bobby Wilson
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Yankees ST
16 days


Saturday, March 9, 2013

A few more Spring Training hits

I was becoming worried that the Beltre card was the only reply I'd get from Spring Training this year.  I have always read that Spring Training is an awesome time to get autographs, but the last two years, it had eluded me.  In fact, out of all my TTM percentages, Spring Training is my worst.

Daniel Hudson is someone I've had success with last year, but I love the Topps Archive card of his, so I sent this in.  I always like it when they are personalized.  Mr. Hudson is currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.  He went on the DL in June of last year.

Daniel Hudson
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Diamonbacks ST
10 days


















Next up, John Danks.  I have always liked the design of the Gypsy Queen sets, so I chose this one to send to him out of all my cards I have of him.  Mr. Danks is currently working his way back to the White Sox after having August arthroscopic surgery.  He is pitching for the White Sox in spring training.

John Danks
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o White Sox ST
16 days


















Finally, I really like what the A's are doing with their team.  They had a great season last year, and look to do the same in a very good AL West this year.  Andrew Carignan is currently rehabbing from June Tommy John surgery.

Andrew Carignan
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o A's ST
10 days

Friday, March 8, 2013

Jimmy Key

This is my second TTM success with Jimmy Key.  Last year, I had sent him a 1988 Topps All Star and a 1987 Topps.  He returned both cards, but only signed the 88 Topps.  So, this year, I sent him the 1987 Topps to sign.

Jimmy Key
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Home address
14 days

Thursday, March 7, 2013

I knew it was a sign...

At work, when we get 5 "thank you notes" for doing good things, or going above and beyond, we can turn them in for a $20 gift certificate to a variety of places (movies, out to eat, etc.).  I always choose Target; it seems like there is always something I need there.  Anyway, I have been holding on to one for a day like yesterday.  I thought Wednesday was the release day for 2013 Heritage.  Well, I don't pay attention very well to release dates because all these posts started popping up about 2013 Heritage reviews.  So, I got in the car, drove to Target, with the intention to spend the $20 gift certificate on a hanger pack.  I was disappointed to find out that Target had NO Heritage cards in stock.  It doesn't even looked like they were stocked (no big empty section where they might have been bought up quickly).  I was highly disappointed, but took it as a sign not to buy any Heritage.  After reading the reviews, I wasn't impressed with the photos on the cards anyway; too many UGLY head shots! 

Today, I had to run errands because I have to work all weekend.  My errands include going to Walmart for a few things.  I always check out what Walmart has, and I found some Heritage, and I said, why not.  The bad thing about this purchase, I had to pay for it with cash, not with good deeds.

I bought a hanger pack and a rack pack.  This is what I got:

First card:

Crap!  Not only is a big head shot, he's not even wearing a hat!

More ugly head shots:


B.J. Upton NEEDS a hat with hair like that!  Everyone in Kansas City knows that Cano has a big head...HA HA!!  Tyler Colvin is a player I like, and I'm disappointed that this card is gross.

Here are some of my favorite cards:


Apparently, the A's are photogenic and know how to pose for pictures!

I had read a review that the rookies were not as plentiful as years past;  I ended up with a total of 8 cards.  Here's some of the rookies I got:


The Orioles and Rangers have some exciting rookies!  I was disappointed that the Cubs only had 1 rookie.  I don't know how considering I felt like I knew no one who was on the team last year.  The Cubs really didn't have two rookies worth having their own rookie card?

I will give Topps a pat on the back for better looking league leader cards this year.  As you can see with the R.A. Dickey example, not only did they not use the creepy cut out heads, but they used two different pictures, where in years past, they used the same creepy head cut out on every league leaders card.  This is also true for Ryan Braun.  The creepy cut out heads were not as bad on the original 1962 Heritage set, but modern players are scary.


This insert set isn't bad:


Refractor 209/564:

My best card:


YES!  Finally, something to make me not regret this purchase!

Finally, perhaps the creepiest card:






It looks like lasers are going to come out of his eyes!

I have another $20 gift certificate from work coming for Target, so I will be saving them for Gypsy Queen and Series 2.  Again, I think it was a sign yesterday at Target that I should not buy 2013 Heritage, and I should have listened!  Bring on Gypsy Queen quick!

Jake McGee

Jake McGee was another TTM I received last week.  I was disappointed that I didn't get both cards back.  I really loved the 2011 Allen & Ginter that I also sent, but did not received back.  I sent this out last August.

Jake McGee
Signed 1/2 (didn't return other card)
Sent c/o Tampa Bay Rays
??? days (unsure; this was sent out when my spread sheet crashed)

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Rick Leach

One of my TTM returns last week was from former Blue Jay Rick Leach.  He was a big football star at Michigan, as well as being a good baseball player.

Rick Leach
Signed 3/3
Sent c/o Home address
13 days

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Zistle trade with halos17

I completed another trade over the weekend via Zistle.  I got some great cards in this one.


A few Royals for my Royals player collection:


A few David Wright's for my player collection:

Other players for my player collections:


Some 1987 Donruss going towards my set completion:


Cubs cards for my Cubs collection: