Motivation to blog - my thoughts

At the beginning of each month, I think I can go and make posts for as many days in that month - however things slow down and taper off and I feel like I'm stuck as far as posting to reach a certain number, especially on a consistent basis.

I do think I'm sort of motivated to push something out because cards a thing, autographs are a thing and having a blog shows my interests - even if my posts gets 'limited views,' only a few comments per five posts and the idea I've probably blogged about the same things that maybe a little more esoteric.

Maybe I get jealous of the blogs that are sort of have the 'brand loyalty' I wish this blog had - I do see there maybe five of those types blogs that seem to connect with all collectors, with the rest 'as is,' depending on the blog.

I maybe reaching, but these are the elements that help as far as generating interest - though your mileage may vary.

1.) Always be trading or sending stuff out - networking, at least virtually really gets the ball rolling as far as people coming back and forth.
2.) Regular content - doesn't mean anything but at least you hope people can come back because they know there will be something posted.
3.) Social media - while having a blog may not be something pushed out soon, other venues have emerged like Twitter [maybe 'the one time cool card bloggers' have migrated to Twitter over the years] while younger non-blogging collectors like Instagram.
4.) Having a voice - be someone readers can identify with as opposed to someone who just posts things as a faux news source or someone who doesn't have a clue.
5.) Having gimmicks that get people involved - contests, 'bat arounds,' et al.
6.) Team focus - collecting a particular team allow others to see you have a devotion to one team, so they are more likely to contact with trade requests if they know you are going to be interested.
7.) Have to love it - can’t be a ‘fly by night’ blogger for long, though perhaps no one expects a blog to last for years without real life getting in the way.
8.) New takes on old crap - talk up that 1988 Donruss like it’s a friggin’ cardboard masterpiece and you'll have other card collectors reminiscing about the good ole' days.
9.) Having a take on new stuff - news travels fast, but having something in-hand and previewing is better than writing something off a preview posted on Beckett.com or some other forum.
10.) Pimping something - I guess it works on some level, but I feel like it's your burden I don't want to worry about, so it's kind of tacky to pander to get involved in something.

Thoughts on Ryan Braun and the investment the Milwaukee Brewers made on his legacy

With the news of Ryan Braun's extension, it is fascinating to see Major League teams make value judgements as to which player they have otherwise annointed their face of the franchise - to maintain their organization's brand.

A player like Braun is a public trust more than ever before and making sure he is a a lifelong Brewer was something important to that franchise - to build fan confidence.

Maybe I used to think Major League Baseball players produced and got big contracts and little else mattered - but someone like Braun sort of becomes royalty and their status becomes even more inflated among fans, advertisers, media.

If a team spends $100 million to extend Braun - it means they view him more that just a guy who is obviously expected to be an All-Star performer.

I don't know what it says for the wishy/washy way the Brewers have dealt with Prince Fielder's contracts - I guess they don't consider him as special with regards to his value to the organization and will have no problems 'not being able to afford his demands' when it comes down to paying for him.

However, the lament of 'modern day' professional athletes in Major League Baseball not staying with one team anymore seems antiquated - bitching about a young player getting squeezed such as being kept in the minors due to service time / arbitration issues seems out of place when even seemingly non big market MLB teams are willing to step up and lock up their franchise guys.

The beat goes on - blog thoughts and goals for 2010 and beyond

As time goes on and my collecting habits evolve or even revert - I'd like to evaluate my collecting efforts and think about what I want to do with my hobby as short and long term goals.

I'm more of an autograph collector, trying to get stuff signed, than someone interested in strictly collecting baseball cards - however, there is still a strong infatuation with baseball cards, so I like to have a blog to discuss them.

I find I lose interest in completing some of the baseball card related goals I've listed for last year - so there isn't much incentive to talk about certain things.

However, I realize I'm sort of a 'lifer' and for better or for worse - I'm collecting baseball cards for the long haul.

I like to read about other's experiences in the hobby in order to get a chance to see - what everyone else is doing and what everyone else is interested in collecting.

I hope I can share some insight to my collecting endeavors - while figuring out, there is room to collect cards, there is room to have my thoughts heard.

Blog goals for 2010 and beyond
A.) Have at least one sentence almost immediately what my particular post is all about - I need to step away from the keyboard, if I feel I cannot explain the meaning of my post in one or two precise sentences.

B.) Don't be too wordy, too preachy, etc - I need to say things with less words and not act like I always have the answers.

C.) Pick my spots to 'feature' a player, card, autograph, et al - so a set of posts doesn't end up reading the same way, only with different pictures and slightly different words.

D.) Stay current - either about collecting baseball cards, collecting autographs, talking about the subjects featured on autographs or subjects who are signing the autographs.

E.) I had a blog high of 157 for the year of 2009 - match at least that and have at least seven months of double-digit posts.

F.) Don't blather on about something too esoteric - though only I can dictate what I can or cannot post, even if I don't end up having '158 perfect posts' by the end of 2010.

G.) A blog is a place to challenge preconceived notions, misguided ideals, misguided folks and every other issue related to the hobby - however, I don't plan to do a lot of that.