Top 5 cards I traded for in 2023

I was really hitting the trades in TCDB early in the year, but again just like the monthly card show, work travel and my end of year surgery got in the way of finishing strong on trades.  It helps to do PWE trades as it is the easiest way for me to do many trades.

5.  Emlen Tunnell - I got this from Ggo64 and it's a huge need for my Iowa Hawkeye football collection.

4.  Michelle Edwards - I got this from frequent trade partner marcbrubaker.  He's a huge Astros fan, so I will hit him up for a trade when I have some new Astros he might be interested in.  This is the first card in my Iowa Hawkeye Women's basketball mega collection.

3.  Anthony Stolarz - I got this from Sofaking.  It's a huge need for my hockey mega collections.

2.  Paul Krause - I got this from ccook.  This was another huge need for my Iowa Hawkeye football mega collection.

1.  Craig Kimbrel - This is an SP from the ASG cards from 2012 Topps.  I'm trying to collect these, but it is quite the challenge, so that is why this is the number 1 traded card for the year.  I got this from cynicalbuddha.

Top 5 "hits" of 2023

 These are the best hits (in my opinion) that I bought from blaster boxes, hangers, etc. from product purchased in 2023.  It was a tad easier this year to find products, but I never did find a blaster box of several products, including Bowman, this year.

5.  Craig Biggio - 2023 Allen and Ginter blaster box

4.  Fernando Tatis - 2023 Topps Holiday blaster box

3.  Ronald Acuna - 2023 Topps Chrome blaster box.  It's a refractor and I traded it away, but it's ok because I don't have a local LCS I frequent here.

2.  Jackson Ferris - 2022 Panini Prizm Draft Picks blaster box.  This was on sale.  He's in the Cubs system plus the blue is nice looking!

1.  Bobby Witt, Jr.  - 2022 Topps Update blaster box.  This is a sharp card in person.  It also took until January 2023 to find some Update!

Top 5 cards I bought in 2023

 I started the year off strong going to the monthly card show here in town, but the summer and fall were busy with traveling for work and my surgery, so I haven't gone much lately.  However, I relied on the card show, eBay, COMC and Sportslots to help me fill some needs in my PCs.

5.  Kris Bryant - Bought this on Sportslots in May.  It's a sharp card in person!

4.  Meiki Sargent - I bought this in April off of eBay.  This was a huge need for my Iowa Hawkeye football collection.  Plus, this is a nice card in person.

3.  Bobby Witt Crown Collection - I bought this from Topps and it took forever to get to me.  I wish I would have bought 2 or 3 boxes, but I am satisfied with the one I bought.  This was a relic I got out of the box, but I'm confused as to why Bryce is in a Nationals uni?

2.  Dallas trading cards - I bought this off of eBay in July and I love it!  I only opened 1 pack and I have a handful of unopened packs still.

1.  Gary Carter - I bought this off of eBay.  This is the first graded card I have ever purchased and it's of one of my favorite cards of all time!

Top 5 TTMs of 2023

 When I set myself reminders, I do well and this year I set a monthly reminder to send out TTMs.  I was successful every month this year!  I sent more to home addresses this year and not so many to MLB or MiLB teams, which I hope to change that trend next year.  Here's to more TTMs in 2024!

5.  Donald Harris - I just loved these 1st round draft pick cards when they came out!  So this was more of a nostalgic TTM for me more than anything.

4.  Frank Stanley - He's originally from Iowa, and he's in my mega collection of MLBers from Iowa.  I had some extra cards and saw he signed, and I was successful.  Great looking A's cards from the early/mid 80's too!

3.  Jim Deshaies - He's currently with the Cubs doing broadcasts and I enjoy him the most since the good ole days of Harry and Steve.

2.  Chris Hoiles - I have a preference to catchers and the Orioles are one of my second tier favorite teams, so this was a no brainer.  In fact, I send quite a few TTM requests to former Orioles this year!

1.  Jonah Heim - Again, a catcher, All Star, Gold Glove winner and World Champ!  I had to pull this from my catchers binder for a signature.

December TTMs

Scott McGregor

Signed 2/2

Sent c/o Home address

10 days

 

Mark Thurmond

Signed 1/2 (sent other card back unsigned)

Sent c/o Home address

12 days

Brad Keller

Signed 2/2

Sent c/o Kansas City Royals

173 days

Scott Bailes

Signed 3/3

Sent c/o Home address

12 days

Mitch Garver

Signed 2/2

Sent c/o Texas Rangers

208 days

Gary Wayne

Signed 2/2

Sent c/o Home address

16 days

A formal visit to the local LCS stores

I finally had time to formally visit and spend time at the local LCS shops.  There are two I visited, but only one had boxes to search, which is my favorite activity!

Mega collection needs

2023 Inception

 I was able to find some Inception at one of my local LCS stores.  I had some extra money, so I decided to splurge.  Unfortunately, my scanner didn't do a good job. 

This is a sharp looking card!

2023 Heritage High Number

I was able to find some new product at my big box store today.  This has been a rare find because I have been unable to find any new product lately.

First card

Second pack

Third pack

Forth pack

Fifth pack

Sixth pack

Seventh pack

Eighth pack

Inserts

My first numbered relic

Short prints

Cubbies and Royals

Token Catcher card