Putting a Bow on 2016

I'm not one to give myself a lot of goals when it comes to my collection.  Last year I decided to eliminate impulse blasters and that worked out well.  I think I may have opened 5 retail packs all year. I expect more of the same with how I add cards to my collection.  Check new sets for interesting Pirates and fill in holes of interesting Pirate parallels from years past via eBay and lots of trades!

One area in my collection that continues to grow at a fast rate is vintage. I received so many great trades this year from fellow bloggers that have helped turned what was once my least represented area to a full fledged respectable collection. I capped the year off nicely by getting the Kiner rookie so maybe I look at finding a Stargell rookie this year! If I hit the lottery maybe Clemente!

It was another nice year for trading.  For the third year in a row I received over 100 packages in the mail. The true number is probably a good bit more because of JBF as he sends me about 40 at a time, but either way that is right on pace from the last few years.

My Stamps.Com account says I sent out 75 packages during the calendar year.  That number is down from years past, but still a nice number. Some of this is due to some bloggers taking a break from sending out cards and some trades being streamlined for cost efficiency.

Like everyone else, time is always the biggest issue with blogging. Balancing work and family sometimes can create some headaches, but I will continue to make time for the hobby I love. Hopefully I'll think of a few new things this year for the blog to keep things fresh.

Before closing on 2016 here is the last pending trade package of 2016 from Adam of Infield Fly Rule.

 You have my attention Adam!

 Another fun aspect of 2016 was that more and more bloggers started to send me WVU cards. I don't post about them consistently but I'm adding to that collection just as much as my Pirates.  Pat White is a legend in Morgantown and I hope one day WVU will retire his jersey.

 This was a fun bunch of cards with a few Pirate cameos and former Buccos.

 Looks like Doug Drabek better hurry and field that dribbler.

 The king always gets his lone scan!

 Stadium Club is beloved but same era Leaf and Ultra was every bit as as good. You even get cool skyline shots with Leaf....

Poor Stan is remembered for giving up the hit to Francisco Cabrera. At least he has a cool Leaf card.

 Only Gerrit Cole is still a Pirate of this bunch.

 Right here is exactly the type of card I chase for WVU collection. I'm such a sucker for a card if the player is represented in the college uniform.

 I'm hoping that Hurdle will sign for a set one day. For now I will have to settle base cards like this beauty from Heritage.

Former two sport superstar Dick Groat.  Groat was a Duke guy, maybe he can help control Grayson Allen!

Thanks for all the cards Adam. That was a unique bunch for sure.  This is my official goodbye to 2016 two weeks late! On to 2017 cardboard. As you can see things are piling up.

Thanks for reading. 

Trade: Infield Fly Rule

Adam from Infield Fly Rule and I started blogging around the same time. It took us a while to pull the trigger on our first trade, but now we are to the point where we just set aside some cards for each other. Blind trades are the best trades!

This time around Adam sent three team bags of various Pirates covering the last 20-25 years. The bulk of the group being current Pirates. Here is a sample of some of my favorites.

I would say this is a good photo of Mr. Walk, but every picture of the legend is a work of art. Obviously the batter has no chance as Walk looks to be bringing the heat.

A nice mix of Cutch....

 I always liked the A&G Cutch.

Little lazy with the pictures, but we'll are use to that by now.

 Cutch photo bomb!

This is a huge year for Pedro. Josh Bell will be knocking on the door next year to take his first base job. Seems kind of weird as just two years a go it looked like Pedro was going to be one of the building blocks of the Pirates. Personally I don't see many scenarios in which he stays a Pirate once his current contract is up.

Always been a fan of the Collector Choice cards. Jay Bell is a guy that I'm surprised hasn't had a certified auto yet. I'm pulling for him to get a Fan Favorites soon. 

Horizontal Buccos. Nice stadium shot on the Kendall card.

Thanks for the great mix of Buccos Adam. You should be getting a return package in the mail very soon. Let's keep the blind trade going!

Trade: Infield Fly Rule

Another new trade partner! Adam from Infield Fly Rule and I exchanged a few emails agreeing on a blind trade.  I told him I had few Rockies around and he said the same for the Pirates.  Man...he sure did have a few.  Adam sent me a priority mail box with 5 team bags full of Pirate goodness.  This group had a focus on late 80's early 90's.  I'll send you some more stuff to even things out soon Adam.  In the meantime I scanned a sample of what was sent.  All in all it was several hundred cards.

 Adam paid tribute to the blogs namesake.  Love the Stadium Club Walk!

 Another great Stadium Club Bonds pondering if he should start taking steroids.

 Every Pirate fan loved Van Slyke. What a great card showcasing him and Griffey.

I'm kind of hoping Bonilla will get a certified auto soon.  He was such a vital part of the early 90's Pirate success.  Maybe he has been approached and told the card companies no.  The Mets are paying his deferred salary for another twenty years so probably no reason to take time doing something you don't want to do.

Drabek was the ace of the Pirates during his tenure.  It was cool to see him throw the first pitch when the Pirates played the Reds last year.

 John Smiley had a long career with the Pirates and Reds. Gotta love Diamond Kings.

 Awesome Jay Bell action shot.

 Crappy scan by me.

Spanky!  Mike LaValliere stills helps the catchers during spring training and still looks exactly the same plus a couple lbs.

Some more modern cards of Jason Kendall.  One of my favorites in the early 2000's.

As I said before this was just a small sample.  Adam sent a ton of cards.  Thanks so much Adam. Sorting through these cards was a blast. Look forward to more swaps!