I kept my 2015 trading card collecting goals offline though here they are and my comments after the fact - through the summer of last year, I was pretty much content to neglect my interests in strictly trading cards wane as I other things in-hand to preoccupy myself with.
However when times were uncertain and I was kind of feeling aimless about collecting anything - I needed to re-focus my energy on cards as a hobby to care about again.
My assorted goals generally reflected my interests over the last several years - but I think it was only in the last three months of 2015, there may have been an effort to put life back into collecting just the cards for themselves.
1.) Reboot my Angels collection [12/29/14]
A.) I'd like to put together a list of Top 30 PC cards in my Angels collection - by the end of the year, I want a collection of cards to showcase i.e. a wrinkle is while these cards should be centerpieces to my regional collection, value isn't going to be the focal point, but having a list and a physical grouping of cards to work from.
B.) Account for an A-Z singles collection - list in a database and have a physical place to store the cards in.
C.) Account for an insert collection of Angels - basically list cards in a database and be able to put away in binders.
D.) Account for loose Angels cards - my goal is to have a binder of random Angels cards as a 'jukebox' of sorts; cards that go into this collection should be listed in a database.
A work in progress, I want something ‘regional,’ though I might want to just wean myself off being hard up for a team.
Having an Angels ‘Top 30 PC’ seems a little hazy...maybe the 2016 goal will be to build up my A-Z collection first, then hope to identify cards that make up a more definitive PC.
With regards to inserts, try to prune out and separate though actually listing and putting them away seems a little more tedious.
I’m not a completist, so with my loose Angels cards, I ended up starting an Angels frankenset; I feel good I’ve done something with my random Angels cards as a ‘jukebox’ of sorts; next year maybe I’m for completion of the first 500, set myself up for an ‘update’ set past 500 and as a new project, maybe work on Opening Day lineup collections - 12/21/15.
2.) Reboot my A-Z singles collection [12/29/14]
A.) Start looking to pick up after loose cards to see if there is anything I can put together - what I can weed out such as rookie cards, certified autograph cards and other inserts that are 'dated.'
B.) I want to store various singles in top loaders in a box, list in a database and file away - organized mostly by player in 'ABC' order and then possibly by card type i.e. basic rookie cards, parallels and certified autograph cards.
EXAMPLES
* Any card I picked up as a single and paid over $10 or any notable pulls
* Rookie cards and rookie year parallels - I want to put together a 'default collection' but find the MLBPA Rookie Logo cards to be junky, so I don't know if I really count most as good enough to be 'A-Z singles' worthy cards.
* Any notable parallels / inserts - numbered, certified autographed, game-used material / patch cards
* Notable oddballs like promos, minor league cards, et al
A work in progress, it hasn’t really come together where I’ve gathered cards up, listed on a Google Sheets file and stored away.
A goal would be to have a working A-Z singles collection - 12/21/15.
3.) Personal collection cards [12/29/14]
A.) Maybe find a better physical place to store my various PC collections - use boxes I've bought.
B.) Continue to add to my various PC collections - of course, I want something modern, blinged out, but also I'm not looking to bust a budget.
My Top 30 PC cards should feature my most prominent 'value' cards - I want to say this collection will be the easiest to sell off even though the values may fluctuate over time.
My Top 30 alternate PC cards - maybe a collection of cards that maybe an extension of my Top 30 PC.
My Top 50 common PC cards - a collection consisting more of 'rank and file' keepers with some 'gems' I may have not ranked among the first two collections listed.
Top 50 fun PC - maybe the idea of a 'fun' PC becomes a little absurd when the state of my 'serious' PC collections are just a little thin all around.
A work in progress, it hasn’t really come together where I’ve gathered cards up, listed on a Google Sheets file and stored away.
The thing with this is realigning the collection physically and being able to add a few cards when I can - 12/21/15.
4.) Inserts [3/29/15]
A.) List all insert pulls in my insert database - sleeve the cards and put them away by team [INSTEAD OF PUTTING RANDOM CARDS IN A BINDER, MAYBE I SHOULD JUST LIST THEM, PUT THEM INTO SLEEVES AND BOX THEM UP; MAYBE EASIER TO PULL AS TRADE BAIT].
B.) Regional - make space for assorted Angels inserts [to be sorted by prominent players and random players].
My inserts collection is dormant though it’s basically upkeep such as listing cards I’ve picked up and finding something to do with the collection.
With my assorted Angels inserts, I’m probably going to make it so cards at my discretion will be used for my Opening Day project and/or frankenset - 12/21/15.
5.) Collecting topics [1/5/14] - maybe not so subtly, I kind of what to make these cards the focus on my sports card collections.
A.) My goal for 2015 is to have at least 500 new collecting topics cards with 250 either old-school [pre-1980] and/or vintage [pre-1973] cards - I feel like the older Topps cards do not have have as much personality, so it's harder to find cards with sort of unique images as opposed to cards I can possibly add to topics that go on and on i.e. nations, bloodlines, local guys, et al; it's easier to find cards from the past couple of years with unique images that makes an otherwise common card 'pop.'
TAG any cards with either old-school [pre-1980] and/or vintage [pre-1973] on the comments field - to keep track of achievements with old cards.
I counted out 1258 adds for 2015 with 3 old-school adds and 28 vintage adds, so I met goal of adding 500 new collecting topics cards, though fell short of the 250 old-school/vintage adds - 12/21/15.
B.) I'd like to have more cards for collecting topics that seem to be underrepresented - so maybe try harder to find and add at least 20-30 cards to certain topics i.e. broken bat shots, interesting backs, retro uniforms, inking it up, cult baseball players / feats, beyond the glory and uncorrected errors.
I guess the best way to figure this out is to look for the totals listed per each topic - then for the mini-collection that seem to have less, focus on checking up on the month 'adds' to see if I have added 20-30 cards.
IT doesn’t happen where I really end up doing research to seek to list out a run of 20-30 specific cards to add to any particular topic and then seek them out - most of the time, I end up with cards from assorted breaks as opposed to picking them up as singles.
Maybe in addition to whatever is pulled, I can do a better job of having a run of 20-30 specific cards to seek out - especially for the underrepresented mini-collections - 12/21/15.
C.) Find and list 20-25 new subjects for topics that go on and on - nations, bloodlines, local guys, infamous, PEDs.
I guess the best way is to figure this out is to sort using filter by monthy 'adds' for these five collecting topics - I maybe missing more mini-collections that apply, but at the very least, look for the following as far as new subjects.
IT doesn’t happen where I really end up doing research to seek to list out a run of 20-30 specific cards to add to any particular topic and then seek them out - most of the time, I end up with cards from assorted breaks as opposed to picking them up as singles.
Maybe in addition to whatever is pulled, I can do a better job of having a run of 20-30 specific cards to seek out - especially for the underrepresented mini-collections - 12/21/15.
D.) For ‘bloodlines,’ try and complete at least ‘10-15’ relationships in a given year [knowing there maybe others along the way] - i.e. find the son, the cousin, the father’s card to go with what I may have in a collection already.
Maybe do a post on the blog to showcase relationship - as well as the cards in-hand.
IT doesn’t happen where I really end up doing research to seek to list out a run of 20-30 specific cards to add to any particular topic and then seek them out - most of the time, I end up with cards from assorted breaks as opposed to picking them up as singles.
Maybe in addition to whatever is pulled, I can do a better job of having a run of 20-30 specific cards to seek out - especially for the underrepresented mini-collections - 12/21/15.
E.) Scour loose signed cards and list at least 100 as adds to my 'collecting topics' tree - it maybe the easiest way to find use for signed in-person cards that I get signed since they all just lay around loose after.
Maybe anything I add to a mini-collection can be added as a 'new card,' since it technically is new element - not just any old card.
I haven’t done this because it seems like the cards I’m getting signed are running away from me as opposed to ending up in one stack. Many of the cards I might be using are of rank-and-file players and maybe I should embrace the idea some of the signed cards are going into mini-collections as opposed to really just ‘hanging out’ loose somewhere - 12/21/15.
F.) Remove star on star cards from bonus babies mini-collection -
I haven’t thought about this but the idea is to have cards for my star-on-star mini-collection, especially if the actual player listed in the card is as good as the star making a cameo as opposed to being a scrub - 12/21/15.
6.) Finish my Topps team runs and my Topps sampler runs from 1978 to 2015 [1/5/14] - it's not really something I've been seriously working on, but I'd like to knock out a bunch of years and complete at least a couple of MLB teams.
A.) I made a Google Sheets file so I can list all cards I have in my collection - maybe last opportunity to tweak a card used for a particular year.
B.) Complete at least one division in 2015 - get to within about needing only 10-15 cards per each MLB team.
This is in progress and while the project was once left dormant, I put some life into it by finally seeing what cards I was still missing and making use of the Google Sheets file I created.
As for specific goals in 2016, maybe have a more concrete list of cards to chase after - get the years 1978-85 done for all the applicable teams and get 10-15 teams entirely done - 12/21/15.
7.) Reboot my award winners [MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year] collection [12/29/14] - it's not really something I've been seriously working on, but get a new binder for the cards, make sure I at least have a card for each award winner from the last three or four years covered, make sure I have appropriate cards for certain players and see where I can add a new card to fill a hole.
I’m pretty proud of myself I was actually breathe new life into this project, though it wasn’t really towards the end of the year.
The project has been rebooted and hopefully I can nail down some more missing names as well as add some wrinkles i.e. relic/autograph cards along the way - 12/21/15.
8.) Find semi-permanent storage solutions [1/5/14] - have a system in place where I’m not juggling around loose cards, but have storage answers that are viable and maintainable.
A.) If at all possible, look to 'double up' on the protection - don't leave things out in the open.
B.) Don't leave cards loose - have a plan to put away every card appropriately.
A work in progress, may not be a goal for 2016, but something I need to remind myself of - there is a system in place, I just have to lean on it and maybe refine the way I go about maintaining upkeep - 12/22/15
9.) Cardboard acquisitions [1/5/15]
A.) I'd like to be able to pick up 20-25 assorted singles - such as rookie cards, certified autograph cards and other inserts that maybe interesting. Are there any certified autographs I need as far as an impulse pick up? Probably not and most notable singles may come from assorted pack / blaster / box breaks, than seeking out specific cards.
Maybe I could focus on regional singles - it doesn't have to be something that maybe worth so much.
2015 Topps Archives Signature Series Jim Abbott auto
1999 Fleer SI Bo Belinsky auto
2013 Panini Hometown Heroes Hometown Signatures Mike Scott #HSMS
2013 Panini America's Pastime Pastime Signatures Dave Kingman #DK
2004 Upper Deck Legends Timeless Teams Autographs Silver Terry Forster #252
2014 Topps Tier One New Guard Autographs Andrelton Simmons #NGA-ASM
2013 Onyx Platinum Prospects Triple Threat Miguel Sano #TTLKMS
2005 Donruss Leather & Lumber Lumber Cuts Steve Stone #LC-54
2004 Fleer Greats of the Game Autographs Marty Marion #GBA-MM
2013 Bowman Inception Prospect Autographs J.O. Berrios #PA-JB
2015 Bowman Inception Prospect Autographs J.O. Berrios #PA-JB
2011 TRISTAR Obak Autographs Red Don Schwall #A40
2004 Topps Finest Finest Moments Autographs Vida Blue #FMA-VB
2015 Panini Donruss Signature Series Shane Victorino #41
2014 Panini National Treasures Anthony Rizzo #9 - autograph
1994 Fleer Update Alex Rodriguez #U86
2014 Bowman Draft Picks Chrome Sean Newcomb #BCA-SN PSA 9
2014 Leaf Trinity Sean Newcomb #A-SN1
2014 Panini Prizm Perennial Draft Picks Sean Newcomb #15 - Prospect Signatures Prizms
2014 Bowman Inception Miguel Sano #AR-MSA - autographed relics
2013 Bowman Inception Prospect Autographs Miguel Sano #PA-GP
2014 Bowman Sterling Prospect Autographs Miguel Sano #BSPA-MS
2009 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Garrett Richards #83
2012 Bowman Chrome Carlos Martinez #BCP 108 - autograph
2014 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects Chrome Draft Pick Autographs Chris Ellis - x2
2014 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects Chrome Draft Pick Autographs Chris Ellis - refractor
2004 Topps Retired Signature Edition Autographs Ron Kittle #TA-RKI
2013 Panini Golden Age Museum Age Jake Daubert #28 - bat
2003 Topps Tribute - Perennial All-Star Edition Relics #TR-ROD
2014 Topps Tribute Evan Longoria auto
2012 Topps Prime Cuts Larry Walker auto
1974 Topps Nolan Ryan
2015 Greenville set - Yoan Moncada
Sonny Gray certified autograph
Garrett Richards certified autograph
Ryan McMahon certified autograph
If I take a look through my assorted buys, I can probably put a listing together of 20-25 cards though they would be mostly ‘odds and ends’ as opposed to cards that really stand out.
This may not be a goal for next year, but something I need to remind myself of as sort a guideline to yearly purchases - 12/31/15
B.) Pick up 15-20 first-year autograph cards - I want some nice cards as just a card collector, but it doesn't seem realistic to go after prospect cards that are already signed when I'm trying to go for the players' autographs in-person.
I’m not a prospector, so this idea didn’t quite get off the ground - it may not be a goal for next year, but something I need to remind myself of as sort my guideline - 12/22/15
C.) I'd like to pick up at least 10-15 Angels prospect cards - who are the Angels Top 10 prospects / who are their top picks and can I get at least one certified autograph card and one certified autograph parallel of each of those players in a particular year.
I was on a ‘mini’ Sean Newcomb and Chris Ellis kick, but those two players got traded to the Atlanta Braves in November and the Angels system seems mostly bleak - 12/22/15
F.) I'd like to pick up a random card per month - something off-the-wall and completely random.
1952 Topps Gus Zernial #31
2015 Topps Archives Will Ferrell WF-3 - insert
2015 Topps McKayla Maroney #FP-03 - First Pitch insert
2015 Topps McKayla Maroney - First Pitch insert / 5x7
2015 Topps Elle Fanning - First Pitch 5x7
1955 Bowman Eddie Waitkus #4
1956 Topps Harvey Haddix #77
2013 Panini Golden Age Historic Signatures Laffit Pincay #LP
1973 O-Pee-Chee Pat Corrales #542
2012 Topps Heritage WWE Stickers Trish Stratus #3
2012-13 Panini Threads Tim Duncan #127
1987 Classic Update Yellow Travel Edition Andre Dawson #124
1969 Topps Aurelio Rodriguez #653
If I count out cards I’ve bought in 2015, I can probably cobble up a list of cards to cover each month - I will probably make the 2016 goal to have enough cards to represent the 12 months of the year as opposed to actually trying to look for a card [that fits whatever itch I need to scratch] and pick up a card each month - 1/1/16
G.) I'd like to bust four or five 'guilt free' hobby boxes - try not to buy into hype when boxes first come out but pull the trigger on a couple.
I’m not sure if this one works at all because I try to pick up hand-collated sets most of the time - if I could do four or five, then I've completed this goal.
I still like the idea of having a full box to bust though I mostly have to pick my spots - I stuck to mostly random blaster box purchases because it made more sense to get hand-collated sets as opposed to full hobby boxes [if I’m mostly looking for cards as opposed to pulls].
Hand-collated sets purchased in 2015
2015 Topps Allen and Ginter’s
2015 Topps Heritage High Numbers
2015 Topps Heritage Minors
1995 Pinnacle
2015 Panini Stars and Stripes
2015 Topps Pro Debut
2015 Donruss Diamond Kings - rookie subset
2014 Panini Elite Extra Edition
For pulls, maybe I’d rather be spent online to get random singles - as opposed to busting boxes, which seem so impulsive.
This may not be a goal for next year, but something I need to remind myself of as sort my guideline - 12/31/15
