2017 Collecting Goals Review

I like making lists and setting goals.  In year's past I have made pretty long lists with lots of specific targets.  I found that fairly satisfying and a good way to keep some focus but I changed things up in 2017.  I kept this list pretty short, below is my original post in orange with some commentary after each of the paragraphs.

1. Complete Giants base cards for 2016 & 2017 - In my 2016 year end recap I shared how poorly I did with the 2016 Giants base cards.  I have hit up Sportlots to put a dent in it but still have some work to do. I want to stay better on top of 2017.  My one caveat, I am not going to actively pursue some of the higher end base cards from sets like Immaculate or Flawless.  For the sake of this goal, I want to get anything that isn't severely short printed or serial numbered under 100.


I always enjoy trying to get all the Giants base cards so this is a pretty regular goal.  With respect to 2016 I did a pretty good job  I still only need 9 cards and 7 of those are Elite Extra Edition cards /999.  I haven't even tried to track these down as I am not someone that typically goes after minor league sets. These have ended up on my checklist but I am not really counting them so I put myself at 2.  One is a dreaded Joe Panik Topps sticker #226 that I haven't been able to track down via Beckett, COMC or Sportlots after numerous attempts.  The other is a relatively easy pick up.  Not bad at all.


I was pretty meh on my 2017 base cards and trying to stay on top of them. I put a little focus during the last couple weeks to get the list down to 29.  Most will be easy to pick up, I just need to figure out a way to keep shipping down (my latest trick is to stick to 4 cards/buyer on Sportlots - you can usually get shipping for unde4 $1.50)  I plan on spending a little more time, maybe even this weekend whittling this list down, hopefully under 20.


I give myself a passing grade of a B- on this one, good not great and within striking distance.





2. Complete my 1971 Topps set - At the time of this post, my want list contains 34 cards including Mays, Clemente and 20 high number short prints.  This is a set that is within reach and I actually have 8 of the non-SPs in my COMC account ready to be delivered.  With some focus this could be knocked out by mid year.



Woo Hoo!  My birth year set is done.  I finished up this set in June and I am so happy to have it complete.  I just leaves the dreaded 1972 set as the obstacle left in my goal to have every Topps set since my birth.  Those 72 hi numbers are a beast, I am going to need to luck out and find some mid to lowish grade cards for a buck or two somewhere - maybe the National in a couple years when it is back in Chicago - in order to get this thing close enough to set a completion goal.  Don't expect it to be listed in my 2018 goals.


Knocking this goal off by the midpoint of the year earns an A+.

3. Complete my 1969 Topps set - I just posted about my start of this set quest and my want list stands at 41 cards.  The biggest hurdles will be Mickey Mantle, Nolan Ryan, Willie Mays and the Reggie Jackson rookie.  Crazy as it seems, I already have Willie and Reggie's cards in other parts of my collection (Giants collection and Reggie player collection respectively) so it will be the second time seeking out those 2.

The news here isn't quite as good.  I did make a pretty big dent in the 41 card want list, it is now down to 8 cards.  Of the big 4 listed, I only knocked Nolan off the list. In addition to the 3 biggies I still need the Bench 2nd year card, Don Kessinger, a Bobby Cox RC, Ron Santo and Ted Williams.  I have been hoping to track down one of the big 3 for a steal of a price but that hasn't happened yet.  You can rest assured that this set completion will be on my 2018 list of goals and will be accomplished. 


I am giving myself a B+ on this goal - I knew it was a stretch and did a little better than I thought in 2017.

4. Purge my collection of extra sets and unwanted base - I have put in a ton of time already this winter organizing my cards.  I am close to posting what excess cards I have hoping some of you can use them.  I have resigned myself to the fact that some will end up either at a Goodwill store or in the trash but I am hoping some of you out there can use some.  I have also starting to put together Super Trader packages for all the team to move some extra cards as well.

Well I sucked at this goal.  I have a draft post that has been ready for months and I haven't pulled the trigger.  It lists my extra sets and sets I have a pretty decent surplus of that could be traded.  I sent 3-4 flat rate boxes out after building decent sized stacks of cards for every team - the rest are sitting on a card table in my hobby room.  With something I have teased once or twice, this is going to become both more necessary and more monumental.  I bought a decent sized collection off a collector 3-4 months back and am just a fraction of the way done going through all of it.  I will share some details in January.


This goal unfortunately results in a failing grade - an F.

At this point I think that will be it.  I will still seek out other Giants cards and cards for my player collections.  I haven't decided on what sets I will build (flagship for sure but I don't know what else) or how I will build them (buy boxes/packs or full sets on eBay).  I have recently updated my Set Want List page with all the sets I have been thinking about building.  I am sure all parts of my collection will get some work but my plan outside of the 4 goals above is to go with the flow.  I hope it works out for me! 

 I did kind of go with the flow in 2017 and picked up some great stuff.  However I think you might see a bigger list of goals in 2018 to give me some focus.  With all the different areas I collect, I am thinking of setting 1 or 2 goals so I don't leave something behind.  We shall see as I haven't really started the goal list yet.

I will say that 2 of my long term goals were accomplished in the last few months. One was the aforementioned purchasing of someone else's collection.  The second was picking up an autographed Barry Bonds card.  It isn't certified by the card company out of the back but it is graded with a PSA/DNA certification and the back has Barry's hologram for certification as well.  I really like this card.

Another thing I alluded to in the closing comments of my goal setting post was a lack of decisiveness on what sets I would collect in 2017.  In hindsight I went a little crazy.  Though packs and box purchases I put together Donruss, Diamond King, Gypsy Queen and Topps Fire.  Through buying full sets I bought Topps Series 1 & 2 (plus insert sets), Topps Update (plus insert sets), Topps Archive, and Stadium Club.  More than I would have expected but I am warming up to buying full base set on the cheap via eBay.

Although my Collection Goal grades don't reflect it, I give the year a very positive grade of an A - it is a hobby and I have tons of fun.  I hope you met some of your goals and are ready to help me disperse some of my surplus cards in 2018!