2014 Goals

No frills here. Pretty much the same format as last year.

Sets I would like to finish:

1. 1960 Fleer
2. 1973 Topps
3. 1975 Topps
4. 2004 Fleer Greats of the Game - Basically, I only have 4 cards from the Forever insert set to complete this set.  Granted I haven't completed the blue serialized parallels or the autograph subset, but I never considered that as necessary to be considered complete.

Sets to start working on, or continue to work on, seriously:

1. 1961 Fleer
2. 1972 Topps
3. 2009 Obak

Other projects and distractions:

1. 1963 Fleer Autograph Project - I'd like to get to the halfway point (33 cards) on this project. I stand at 28 now (yes, I know I said 26 yesterday), with two more heading out in the mail for signings in late January/early February.  That means I have line of sight to 30.
2. 1955 and 1956 Topps - These will be many years in completing, so I am feeling no pressure to elevate them on the priority list.

On a final note, I want to comment on something serious.  Earlier yesterday (I am writing this postscript on the evening of January 2) a post popped up in my feed from the 1973 Topps Photography blog.  As many of you probably know, that blog was written by Chris Stufflestreet, who passed away in September of 2012. It appears that he had this post planned well ahead of time.  It is a bittersweet reminder of what we had, and lost, in Chris.  I never met Chris, but he was generous to me as I was re-entering the hobby a few years ago. That left an indelible impact on me about my place in the collecting world.

In my experience with online communities, the sportscard blog community is unique in that the members are so willing to help each other out and there seems to be almost no conflict. Chris was my introduction to that giving spirit, but many of you have contributed to it as well. I want to thank each and every one of you for making this experience special.  I want to honor his memory by committing in 2014 to take opportunities to help other collectors in paring down their want lists.

What I am listening to: One Good Year by Slaid Cleaves

2013 Goals Revisited

So, with the start of the new year, it is time to see how I did, hobby wise, in 2013.  So, let's take a look:

Sets I intended to finish:

1. All the Insert sets to 2004 Fleer Greats of the Game, except the Announcing Greats - Well, I didn't finish the Forever insert set, but I did actually finish the Announcing Greats inserts.  So, I consider this one achieved even though I have a different incomplete insert set than I had figured.
2. 1971 - Done!
3. 1973 - I did not finish this set. 
4. 1963 Fleer - Done!

Sets to continue working on:

1. 1960 and 1961 Fleer -  I am now only 9 cards away from completing 1960.
2. 2009 through 2011 Obak - I actually completed 2010 and 2011 Obak.
3. Continue to work on my Paul Blair and Johnny Antonelli player collections -  I had wanted to add more OPC Blair's and a 1950 Bowman Antonelli to my player collections. I didn't do either. But I did add a few cards to both player collections in 2013.
4. 1963 Fleer autograph project - I started 2013 with 16 of these cards autographed.  I am entering 2014 at 26.  I'd call that a success.

Sets that I'd like to start of the opportunity presents itself:

1. 1975 Topps - I added a few 75s here and there, but no serious activity
2. 1959 Fleer Ted Williams - I did start this set with a splurge purchase during the fall. I have 33 of the 80 cards and am working a trade for some more.
3. 1959 Fleer Three Stooges - did not start.

Overall, it was a pretty good year. 

What I am listening to: "The Road to Ensenada" by Lyle Lovett

Favorite Surprise Pickup of 2013

Being in this hobby, we all know the joy of finding something wonderful when you were least expecting it.  I had a fair number of serendipitous pickups in 2013.  But, this is my favorite:

You may recall someone dumped a dog out in the country near my home in early October and we took her in a couple weeks later and named her Abby.  She can be seen above playing with Buddy, the Great Pyrenees mix, who was, coincidentally, my favorite surprise pickup of 2011.  She is a great dog, although she is still a puppy and can get in a bit of trouble at times.

What I Am Listening To: I'll Drink to You by Duke Jupiter (it's a Rochester thing)

Favorite Cards of 2013 - Part 3

4. 1958 Topps Sandy Koufax

I have a informal goal to pick up playing-days cards of some of the greatest ballplayers ever.  This is the first and, so far, only Koufax card issued during his actual career that I own.

3. 1956 Topps Hank Aaron

I bought this at the same time I got the Koufax above, but this is more than just picking up a card of a all-time great. I already have several Aaron cards in the 1970s sets I am building.  This is more important as it represents one of the big dollar cards in 1956, which I am slowly working on.

2. 1952 Bowman Roy Campanella

This card is special because it was issued right after Campy won the 1951 MVP Award. It is part and parcel with the next card.

1. 1952 Bowman Yogi Berra

Like the Campanella above, this card was issued after Berra won the 1951 AL MVP.  Two have the cards for two great catchers from the year after they both won the MVP is pretty special.

Coming up next: A review of my 2013 goals and how I did against them.

What I am listening to: Close Your House Down by Cordero

Favorite Cards of 2013 - Part 2

8. 2001 Topps Archive Paul Blair Autograph

This card is always coming up on EBay, but it took me over two years to actually get one. Why? Because I thought I already had it.  Paul Blair shared a rookie card with Dave Johnson.  However, when Topps decided to issue sets devoted to past players, this card made several appearances. Indeed, I currently have 5 different versions of this card from Topps Archive, Team Topps Legends, and the Topps Shoebox collection.  Once I figured out I didn't actually have this card, I snapped up the first one to be had at a fair price.

 7. 1963 Fleer Roberto Clemente

If I had to choose one player that I could see play if I could, it would be Roberto Clemente. I would want this card even if  I wasn't building the 1963 Fleer set.  Indeed, someday I would like to have all of Clemente's playing days cards.


6. 1967 Topps Venezuelan Paul Blair

This particular card is not in the greatest of shape, but it is a Venezuelan.  They come available so rarely, and at such high prices, that I never realistically expected to own one. 


5. 1963 Fleer Dick Howser

This card filled two needs for me.  At the time I got it, I still needed Howser to complete my '63 Fleer set.  That I found such a nice version that was also autographed made it special. This is the second autographed card of a deceased player I acquired as part of that particular quest.  Out of 66 cards in that set, 19 are of deceased players.  This will obviously limit how many '63 Fleer I will ever get autographed.

What I am listening to:  Born to Lose by Social Distortion (Note: NSFW language.  Also, not the best quality, but the video was taken at CBGB.)

Favorite Cards of 2013 - Part 1

I started thinking about this series of posts a while back and even had all the cards identified a couple weeks back. But, I have been remiss in actually doing anything with it due to a variety of reasons.  So, instead of one post per card, I am going to break it down into three posts only.

So, in reverse order, here are 12 through 9:

12.  2012 Topps Archive 3D Babe Ruth

I got this card from the mysterious Napkin Doon.  It seems like your typical 3D insert, but what I like about it is that only background moves when you tilt it back and forth.

11. 1971 Topps #709 (Dusty Baker and Don Baylor RC)

In addition to being the rookie card of two stars of the 1970s, it is a high number card, leading it to a book value of $80.  This was the last big ticket card I needed towards completing the 1971 set.

10. 1960 Fleer Ed Barrow

This card of a rather avuncular Ed Barrow is the most unlikely entry on this list.  But, as the architect behind the Yankee dynasty of the first half of the 20th Century, surely he is a noteworthy person?  And before you answer, consider that the Hall of Fame agrees with me.

9. 2013 Topps Archive 72 Mini Lou Gehrig

I got this card from Night Owl.  This card tickles me to no end. Not only is it The Yankee Clipper, one of the best ballplayers ever, but it is done in the fun 1972 Topps design. I am looking forward to building '72 Topps.

So, there are the first four.   Stay tuned for four more tomorrow.

What I am listening to: "Long I Ride" by Robbie Fulks

Rest In Peace - Paul Blair

Paul Blair, former Orioles and Yankees outfielder, died yesterday at the age of 69.  I never met the man, who by all reports was quite popular with fans and a regular at Orioles events.