I finally pulled the trigger...

This post could have one of several different names. For example, it could be titled An eBay Pick-Up, A Completed Set, or 2012 Card Collecting Goal Completed. I choose, I finally pulled the trigger because this is a 7 card set that I have been working on for over 2 years. The cards were always out there on eBay or checkoutmycards.com, I just had to get serious about completing the set. I finally pulled the trigger last week and got the final two cards I needed on eBay. The Pujols was a Buy-It-Now for $15.25 and I got the Edmonds from the same seller for $7.10 with $2 for the lot for shipping. These two cards complete the set, something I started pursuing in 2010. You can see my complete set here.

TTM Project Update

I'm all caught up on my ttm posts and it's actually been a while since I got a ttm request back in the mail. I got my last request back on 3/19/12, so it's been about two weeks since my last success. I thought I'd provide a ttm recap for the First Quarter of 2012. Since January 1, 2012 I've sent 39 different ttm requests to 38 different people (I sent to Stan Musial twice). I've received 23 returns. 21 successes and 2 failures (both were Musial). That means I still have 16 requests out there. I've gotten a total of 34 items signed (33 cards and one book plate) from 21 different people. My goal for 2012 was 50 autographs from at least 30 different people. At my current pace I am on track to get 132 autographs from 84 people. It will be difficult to keep that pace throughout the rest of the year, but I'll give it a shot. Here are a few of my favorites from the First Quarter of 2012.

Ryan Roberts Collection

One of my 2012 Card Collecting Goals: Ryan Roberts Collection - Ryan Roberts had a breakout year in 2010 and is definitely a fan favorite here in Arizona. I met him at the All-Star Fan Fest and he is a super nice guy. Because he was not an everyday player until this last year he actually has very few cards. He was included in the 2011 Topps Update Series and I collected as many of those parallels as possible. I haven't seen any of the 1/1's aside from two of the Printing Plates which I was able to get. I have a feeling that he will be included in a lot more product in 2012, so I definitely want to increase my collection of Ryan Roberts cards and so without knowing exactly how many cards he will have in 2012, I will set my goal at 25 unique Ryan Roberts cards for 2012.

2004 Auburn Doubledays

2006 Topps '52 #185

2006 Topps '52 Chrome #TCRC47 serial numbered 0993/1952

2006 Topps '52 Chrome Refractor #TCRC47 serial numbered 437/552

2006 Topps '52 Gold Chrome Refractor #TCRC47 serial numbered 06/52

2006 Upper Deck #1209

2008 Topps 2007 Hightlights Auto #HA-RR

2011 Topps Update #US237

2011 Topps Update #US237 Blue (Wal-Mart)

2011 Topps Update #US237 Red (Target)

2011 Topps Update #US237 Diamond Sparkle

2011 Topps Update #US237 Cognac Sparkle

2011 Topps Update #US237 Gold /2011

2011 Topps Update #US237 Hope Blue Diamond /60

2011 Topps Update #US237 Black /60

2011 Topps Update #US237 Magenta Printing Plate 1/1

2011 Topps Update #US237 Cyan Printing Plate 1/1

2012 Allen & Ginter #323

2012 Allen & Ginter Mini #323
2012 Allen & Ginter Black Border Mini #323

2012 Allen & Ginter Gold Border Mini #323

2012 Allen & Ginter Mini A & G No Number on Back

2012 Topps #173

2012 Topps #173 Pie Variation

2012 Topps #173 No Name On Front

2012 Topps #173 Gold

2012 Topps #173 Blue

2012 Topps #173 Red

2012 Topps #173 Purple

2012 Topps #173 Black /61

2012 Topps Mini #173

2012 Topps Mini Gold Parallel #173 serial numbered 25/61

2012 Topps Mini Platinum Parallel #173 serial numbered 1/5

2012 Topps Mini Gold Parallel #173 Yellow Printing Plate 1/1

2012 Topps Opening Day #123

2012 Topps Opening Day Blue Parallel #'d to 2012
2012 Topps Update #US307 Blue
2012 Topps Update #US307 Gold Sparkle
2012 Topps Update #US307 Gold #'d to 2012
2012 Topps Update #US307 Black #'d to 61

2012 Topps Gypsy Queen #29

2012 Topps Gypsy Queen Sepia Mini #29 #'d to 99

2012 Topps Gypsy Queen Mini #29

2012 Topps Gypsy Queen Red Back Mini #29

2012 Topps Gypsy Queen Straight Cut Mini #29

2012 Topps Gypsy Queen Green Mini #29

2012 Topps Gypsy Queen Black Mini #29

2012 Topps Sticker #260
2012 Panini Prizm #106
2012 Panini Prizm #106 Green
2012 Panini Prizm #106 Blue
2012 Panini Prizm #106 Red
2012 Panini Prizm #106 Gold #'d to 10

2012 Panini Prizm #106 Finite Black 1/1

2012 Panini Prizm Auto #RR
2012 Panini Prizm Refractor Auto # RR #'d 10/25

2013 Topps Update #US65 Red

2013 Topps Update #US65 Gold #'d to 2013

2013 Topps Update #US65 Camo #'d to 99

2013 Topps Update #US65 Black #'d to 61

2013 Topps Update #US65 Pink #'d to 50

2013 Topps Update #US65 Yellow Printing Plate 1/1

2013 Topps Update Silk #'d to 50

2014 Choice Pawtucket Red Sox #21

Personal Collection (2012)

One of my 2012 Card Collecting goals was: Personal Collection - I would like to add 100 cards to my personal collection. These cards will include the 3000 Hit Club Bat cards, the 10 solid vintage cards, 2004 Topps Derby Digs Jersey cards, in addition to relic, autos, numbered, rookie cards, etc. of either players I collect or Arizona Diamondbacks.

1. 2010 UD Justin Upton Game Jersey (Red Jersey) - $3.07 shipped (eBay)
2. 2010 UD Justin Upton Game Jersey (White Jersey) - $3.06 shipped (eBay)
3. 2011 Topps Marquee JUSTIN UPTON Titantic Threads Jersey 90/99 - $7.25 shipped (eBay)
4. 2000 UD A Piece of History 3000 Hit Club Paul Waner Bat - $40 shipped (eBay)
5. 1997 Donruss Signature Series Dan Wilson Auto (eBay)
6. 2004 Donruss Studio Game Day Souvenirs Dan Wilson Jersey (eBay)
7. 1998 Upper Deck Retro Sign of the Times Travis Lee Auto - $2 shipped (eBay)
8. 2011 Topps Update Miguel Montero All-Star Workout Jersey Card (eBay)
9. 2001 Fleer Legacy ERUBIAL DURAZO Hit Kings Bat Card - $2 (card shop)
10. 2001 Upper Deck Heroes of Baseball Wade Boggs Game-Used Bat Card - $3 (card shop)
11. 1974 Topps Dave Winfield Rookie Card - $12 (card shop)
12. 1980 Topps Rickey Henderson Rookie Card PSA 6 - $20.45 shipped (eBay)
13. 1957 Topps Carl Furillo (eBay)
14. 2001 Upper Deck Heroes of Baseball Dave Winfield Game-Used Bat Card - $3.77 shipped (eBay)
15. 1951 Bowman Vernon Law Rookie Card (eBay)
16. 2011 Topps Golden Moments Chris Young Auto - $4.49 shipped (eBay)
17. 2011 Topps Golden Moments Ian Kennedy Auto - $4.49 shipped (eBay)
18. 2012 Topps Ryan Roberts Pie Variation - $12.99 shipped (ebay)
19. 2004 Topps Derby Digs Carlos Delgado (eBay)
20. 2004 Topps Derby Digs Richie Sexson (eBay)
21. 2004 Topps Derby Digs Jason Giambi (eBay)
22. 2012 Topps Gypsy Queen Daniel Hudson Auto (from Joe at work)
23. 1962 Topps Ken Hubbs rookie card (eBay)
24. 1998 Donruss Signature Series Andy Benes Red Auto (trade with WickedOrtega)
25. 2011 Topps Diamond Die-Cut Miguel Montero (Topps Diamond Giveaway site)
26. 2012 Topps Opening Day Chris Young Blue Parallel #'d to 2012  (eBay)
27. 2012 Topps Opening Day Ian Kennedy Blue Parallel #'d to 2012  (eBay)
28. 2012 Topps Opening Day Daniel Hudson Blue Parallel #'d to 2012  (eBay)
29. 2012 Topps Opening Day Miguel Montero Blue Parallel #'d to 2012  (eBay)
30. 2012 Topps Gold Rush Chris Young  (eBay)
31. 2012 Topps Gold Rush Chris Young Auto  (eBay)
32. 2012 Topps Gold Rush Daniel Hudson (eBay)
33. 2008 Bowman Stephen Drew Orange Parallel #'d to 250 (card shop)
34. 2011 Bowman Paul Goldschmidt RC (card shop)
35. 2009 UD Goodwin Champions Justin Upton Jersey (trade with Pirates Treasure Room)
36. 2004 Fleer Platinum Randy Johnson Name Plates Patch #''d to 200 (card show)
37. 2005 Playoff Absolute Memorabilia Randy Johnson Tools of the Trade dual jersey #'d to 50 (card show)
38. 2002 Upper Deck Curt Schilling The People's Choice Jersey (trade with Play at the Plate)
39. 2001 SP Game-Used Edition Matt Williams Jersey (trade with Play at the Plate)
40. 2008 Topps Chrome Trading Card History Justin Upton Refractor #'d to 400 (trade with Play at the Plate)
41. 2002 Topps Gold Label Randy Johnson parallel #'d to 250 (trade with Play at the Plate)
42. 2002 Fleer Authentic Matt Williams parallel #'d to 150 (trade with Play at the Plate)
43. 2001 Donruss Jack Cust Career Stat Line #'d to 66 (trade with Play at the Plate)
44. 2002 Donruss Randy Johnson Diamond Kings #'d to 2500 (trade with Play at the Plate)
45. 2001 Fleer Focus Tony Womack green parallel #'d to 271 (trade with Play at the Plate)
46. 2007 UD Future Stars Miguel Montero Rookie Dated Debut #'d to 999 (trade with Play at the Plate)
47. 2012 Topps Opening Day Miguel Montero blue parallel #'d to 2012 (trade with Pirates Treasure Room)
48. 2010 Topps Heritage Justin Upton Chrome #'d to 1961 (trade with Pirates Treasure Room)
49. 2001 UD Heroes of Baseball Wade Boggs Bat card
50. 2007 UD Sweet Spot Robin Yount Bat (checkoutmycards.com)
51. 1970 Topps Thurman Munson Rookie Card (card shop)
52. 2011 Topps Marquee Daniel Hudson Acclaimed Impressions Paych/Jersey Auto #'d to 400 (trade with Crinkly Wrappers)
53. 2011 Topps Triple Threads Chris Young Jersey Green #'d to 18 (eBay)
54. 2004 Topps Derby Digs Jim Edmonds (eBay)
55. 2004 Topps Derby Digs Albert Pujols (eBay)
56. 2001 Donruss Studio Private Signings Curt Schilling 5x7 Auto
57. 2006 Fleer Greats of the Game Paul Molitor Decade Greats Bat Card (trade)
58. 2000 Fleer 3000 Club Stan Musial Bat Card (ebay - $15.99 shipped)
59. 2007 UD Sweet Spot Tony Gwynn Bat Card (card shop - $3.33 part of a 3/$10 deal)
60. 2001 UD SPx Curt Schilling/Randy Johnson Winning Materials Dual Jersey Card (eBay)
61. 2011 Topps Diamond Die-Cut Chris Young (trade)
62. 2001 Fleer Authority Erubiel Durazo Diamond Cuts Bat Card (card shop - $1)
63. 2001 Fleer Game Time Erubiel Durazo Game Time Lumber Bat Card (card shop - $1)
64. 2001 Pacific Private Stock Erubiel Durazo Jersey Card (card shop - $1)
65. 2003 UD Sweet Spot Brandon Webb Auto (card show - $5)
66. 2012 Topps Tribute Al  Kaline Retired Remnants Bat Card (trade with Cardboard Conundrum)
67. 2012 Gypsy Queen Justin Upton Jersey Card (eBay - $3.74 shipped)
68. 2012 Gypsy Queen Chris Young Auto Redemption (eBay - $8.74 shipped)
69. 2005 Donruss Signature Series Roberto Clemente Bat Card (eBay - $15.49 shipped)
70. 2010 Topps Tribute Justin Upton Dual Jersey Auto /75 - (eBay - $22 shipped)
71. 2012 Topps Opening Day blue parallel (from Baseball Dad)
72. 1987 Topps Barry Larkin RC (from Baseball Dad)
73. 2005 Zenith Brandon Webb dual Bat/Jersey Card (contest winnings from Sports Cards Ate My Brain)
74. 2010 Upper Deck A Piece of History 500 Club Gary Sheffield Bat Card (pulled from box)
75. 2011 Topps Sean Burroughs Hope Blue Diamond Parallel (trade with Coot Veal and the Vealtones)
76. 2012 Gypsy Queen Trevor Cahill Auto (eBay - $3 shipped)
77. 2012 Bowman Justin Upton Blue Parallel numbered 397/500
78. 2012 Bowman Ian Kennedy Blue Parallel numbered 257/500 (trade with Tom of Waiting 'til Next Year)
79. 2000 Fleer Showcase Tony Womack Sweet Sigs Auto (eBay - $4.95 shipped)
80. 2012 Topps Ian Kennedy Black Parallel numbered 42/61 (eBay - $3.24 shipped)
81. 2009 Upper Deck SP Authentic Gerardo Parra Auto RC 018/125 (eBay - $5.27 shipped)
82. 2008 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects Gerardo Parra Futures Game Jersey Card -(eBay - $1.25 shipped)
83. 2011 Topps Marquee Titanic Threads Chris Young Jersey/Auto 02/10 (eBay - $19.05 shipped)
84. 2011 Topps Marquee Stephen Drew Titanic Threads 42/99 (eBay - $2.24 shipped)
85. 2011 Topps Marquee Stephen Drew Gametime Momentos Quad Relic 151/199 (eBay - $2.24 shipped)
86. 2011 Topps Marquee Daniel Hudson Acclaimed Impressions Dual Jersey Auto 361/400 (eBay - $3.24 shipped)
87. 2011 Topps Marquee Stephen Drew Titanic Threads 57/99 (eBay - $3.25 shipped)
88. 2011 Topps Marquee Daniel Hudson Acclaimed Impressions Dual Jersey Auto 134/400 (eBay - $3.25 shipped)
89. 2011 Topps Tier One Daniel Hudson On the Rise Auto  367/699 (eBay - $3.25 shipped)
90. 2011 Topps Tier One Chris Young Crowd pleasers Auto 51/75 (eBay - $3.25 shipped)
91. 2012 Allen & Ginter Miguel Montero Red A & G mini hand numbered 10/25 (trade with The Daily Dimwit)
92. 2012 Topps Museum Collection Justin Upton Momentous Materials Jersey 05/50 (eBay - $4.25 shipped)
93. 2012 Topps Museum Collection Justin Upton Momentous Materials Bat 22/35 (eBay - $10.74 shipped)
94. 2012 Allen & Ginter Ryan Roberts mini Magenta Printing Plate 1/1 (eBay - $20.05)
95. 2012 Bowman Platinum Raul Goldschmidt Jersey/Auto (eBay - $13.04 shipped)
96. 2011 Topps Chrome Chris Young Purple Refractor 045/499 (trade with "O" No Another Orioles Blog)
97. 2012 Allen & Ginter Chris Young Jersey (trade with "O" No Another Orioles Blog)
98. 2011 Gypsy Queen Daniel Hudson Auto (trade with ALL TRIBE BASEBALL)
99. 2009 Allen & Ginter Conor Jackson Auto (card show - $1.50)
100. 2009 UD Ballpark Collection Teamate Timeline Chris Young/Stephen Drew Jersey 244/350 (card show - $3)
101. 2005 Topps Update Luis Gonzalez All-Star Stitches Jersey (trade with Sports Cards Ate My Brain)
102. 2005 Leaf Josh Kroger Auto #'d 042/100 (trade with Sports Cards Ate My Brain)
103. 2009 UD Spectrum Spectrum Swatches JERSEY (trade with plain grey swatch)
104. 2012 Finest Ian Kennedy Red Parallel #'d 24/25 (eBay - $3.04 shipped)
105. 2012 Topps Chrome Miguel Montero Atomic Refractor #'d 10/10 (eBay - $6.25 shipped)
106. 2007 UD Sweet Spot Dual Signatures Brandon Webb and Chris Young Auto #'d 09/10 (eBay - $19.75 shipped)
107. 2010 Topps Dan Haren Red Parallel #'d 123/299 (trade with Play at the Plate)
108. 2002 Flair Jersey Heights Curt Schilling Jersey (trade with Play at the Plate)
109. 2009 SP Lengendary Cuts Generations Memorabilia Dual Jersey Brandon Webb and Don Sutton (trade with Night Owl)
110. 2011 Bowman Chrome Chris Young Gold Parallel #'d 45/50 (eBay - $2.63)
111. 2012 Topps Gold Rush Joe Saunders (trade)
112. 2009 UD Spectrum Swatches Dan Haren Jersey (trade with ALL TRIBE BASEBALL)

2012 Vintage Pick-Ups

One of my 2012 Card Collecting Goals is to add 10 solid vintage cards to my collection. On this page I will keep track of my progress. I've added 5 out of the 10 so far. Here are the cards that I've added to my collection this year.

1. 1957 Topps Carl Furillo

2. 1974 Topps Dave Winfield RC

3. 1980 Topps Rickey Henderson RC PSA 6

4. 1951 Bowman Vernon Law RC

5. 1970 Topps Thurman Munson RC

2012 Card Collecting Goals

2011 has come and gone and while it was an exciting year for my family and I (first year of little league with my oldest, bought a new home, and had another baby - our third) my card collecting sort of slowed down due to a lack of funds and time. To help me turn that around in 2012, I decided to set some goals. I did that in 2010 and while I didn't reach all the goals I set, it was nice to have them to strive for and I really made progress in my collection. So, in no particular order, here are my 2012 Card Collecting Goals.

1. TTM Autographs - 50 TTM autographs this year from at least 30 different people. One thing that I plan on doing differently this year in regards to my TTM requests is expanding to sports other than just baseball. ***COMPLETED***

2. 3000 Hit Club Bat Cards - Collect a bat card of 27 players in the 3000 Hit Club. I achieved my 2010 goal of a Bat Card of every member of the 500 Home Run Club and have decided to try for the 3000 Hit Club. Several players are members of both clubs (Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Eddie Murray, and Rafael Palmeiro) and I already have a Ty Cobb Bat Card, so I need 22 more.

3. Greatest Non Relic/Auto/Numbered/Parallel Insert Set of All-Time - I recently asked for suggestions for this and got some good ones. To clarify, this will be for baseball only. I plan to narrow the list down and select the greatest non relic/auto/numbered/parallel insert set of all-time and collect that entire set.

4. Cards Featuring Awards - In 2010 I started a collection of cards with players holding multiple bats, which I still add to. In 2012, I want to collect at least 50 cards featuring awards. This can be any award, Rookie of the Year, MVP, World Series trophy, etc., but the card must have a picture of the award on it, not just mention that the player won the award.

5. Dan Wilson Collection - Dan Wilson was a Major League catcher that played 13 seasons for the Cincinnati Reds and the Seattle Mariners. He is set an American League record for catchers with a .995 career fielding percentage and was an All-Star in 1996. My name happens to be Daniel Wilson, so I have always been drawn to collecting his cards, but haven't actively pursued his cards in years. I would like to complete a Trifecta (RC, Auto, and Game-Used) for him. I already have several different rookies, and a quick eBay search revealed several certified auto's but no game-used so that could prove difficult. ***COMPLETED***

6. Ryan Roberts Collection - Ryan Roberts had a breakout year in 2010 and is definitely a fan favorite here in Arizona. I met him at the All-Star Fan Fest and he is a super nice guy. Because he was not an everyday player until this year he actually has very few cards. He was included in the 2011 Topps Update Series and I collected as many of those parallels as possible. I haven't seen any of the 1/1's aside from two of the Printing Plates which I was able to get. I have a feeling that he will be included in a lot more product in 2012, so I definitely want to increase my collection of Ryan Roberts cards and so without knowing exactly how many cards he will have in 2012, I will set my goal at 25 unique Ryan Roberts cards for 2012. ***COMPLETED***

7. Brandon Webb Collection - In 2010 I set a goal to reach 200 unique Brandon Webb cards. After blowing out his arm on Opening Day in 2009 he has since signed with the Rangers but has not pitched in the Big Leagues. I'm not sure where he will end up in 2012. Right now I am at 196 different Brandon Webb cards in my collection, so I would like to reach 200 and see if I can add another 50 cards, bringing my Brandon Webb total to 250 unique cards by the end of 2012. ***COMPLETED***

8. Complete the 2004 Topps Derby Digs Jersey Relics Set - This set features pieces of jerseys worn during the 2003 Home Run Derby. I currently only have two cards from this set, Garret Anderson and Bret Boone so I still need Carlos Delgado, Jim Edmonds, Jason Giambi, Albert Pujols, and Richie Sexson to complete the entire set. ***COMPLETED***

9. Post Videos on My Blog and YouTube - Just this year I started watching YouTube videos of TTM successes, box breaks, eBay mail days, trades, etc. and have really enjoyed it. We got a web cam for Christmas so I want to start doing videos for my blog and YouTube in 2012.  ***COMPLETED***

10. Be More Active in the Blogging Community - I feel really fortunate to be part of this community and want to be more active in my posts, commenting on others posts, trading, etc. In 2011 I only had 96 posts compared to 231 in 2010. I would like to hit at least 300 posts in 2012. ***COMPLETED***

11. Vintage - I would like to add 10 solid vintage cards to my collection in 2012. In November I picked up a 1957 Topps Don Drysdale Rookie Card and it reminded me how much I love vintage cards. I have very few in my collection though. For me, when it comes to vintage cards, the condition is not all that important, in fact I think that a card that is 40+ years old should show some wear and tear.

12. Personal Collection - I would like to add 100 cards to my personal collection. These cards will include the 3000 Hit Club Bat cards, ttm autographs, the 10 solid vintage cards, 2004 Topps Derby Digs Jersey cards, in addition to relic, autos, numbered, rookie cards, etc. of either players I collect or Arizona Diamondbacks. ***COMPLETED***

13. Autographed Baseballs - I would like to get two baseballs autographed by star players this year. In 2010 I got Don Mattingly and in 2011 I got Don Newcombe to sign balls. Between D-Backs Fan Fest, Spring Training, the regular season, card shows/autograph signings, and the Fall League I would like to at least get two in person autographs of star players on baseballs. ***COMPLETED***

14. Organize My Collection - This will be a daunting task, but it needs to be done. I don't want any loose cards and I want to know where everything is at. Part of this will be deciding what to do with my Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Piazza collections that I have from collecting growing up.

15. 1997 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Game Jersey - One Griffey card that I would love to have and keep is the 1997 Upper Deck Game Jersey card. Along with Tony Gwynn and Rey Ordonez (which I already have), these were the first baseball jersey cards. I have wanted this card for a long time, but it rarely shows up on eBay and has always been out of my price range. I would like to figure out a way to get this card.