2024 Year Review

I thought I'd do a quick 2024 review since I'm waiting for 2025 to kick in.  I've meant to review my resolutions but only got around to doing a mid-year review.  Computer issues and 'busy stuff' have curtailed my time behind the keyboard.  Hopefully the computer issues are behind me now but there's always 'busy stuff' to do.  So let's take a look at those goals:

1) Complete 2 vintage sets
    Status:  Incomplete.  Yes I wrapped up my '71 set build but ran out of steam trying to hunt down 1970 or 1972 cards around the holidays.  I'll carry over this goal into next year.

2) Shiny Set Completion

    Status:  Nope:  I'm so close but yet so far to completing the batting helmet insert set, as well as others.  But unfortunately this didn't happen.

3) Trade More.

    Status: Nope.  I actually made my first TCDB trade at the start of the year but totally failed to make more trades.  Though I want to blame computer issues on this too, because that lead to extended down times for me.

4) Reduce my collection.

    Status: Ugh.  Other than a couple of giveaways I totally failed at this.  This goal will carry over next year as well.

5) New blogging ideas.

    Status:  Ugh!  I finally got around to picking up a few new tools of the trade, so I've definitely got plans for next year.  Can't wait to try this out.

Now let's look at some stats:

Blog views were up about 30% year-over-year.  Nice to see that trending up.

My post giving away a 1993 Post set is still the most viewed entry.

Top referrals were TCDB, Google and NinePockets

Thank you to Chris of Nachos Grande fame for hosting his yearly blogging poll.  This blog made the 'favorites' list this year!  And it's also still 'under the radar'.  Seems like a conflict there :)

Finally let's take a look at my picks for my top 5 acquisitions in 2024.

#1 2019 Topps Update Legacy Luis Arraez PSA 10/10.  Love this card.

#2 So I'm cheating a bit here but these were the last 4 cards needed to complete the '71 set.  When these arrived I breathed a great sigh of relief.

#3 Nolan Ryan rookie card.  Yummy.

#4 1956 Jackie Robinson.  Picked this up at the big show back in April.

#5 This was a tough choice, but I finally settled on this autographed Bronko Nagurski card.  He's not only a NFL HOF'er but a former Gopher who resided in northern MN.

2024 was also a devastating year when you look at the athletes we lost.  Willie Mays, Dikembe Mutumbo, Luis Tiant and Rickey Henderson to name a few.  I have auto's from a few of those players but when I looked over the list only one name stood out - Rickey Henderson - because he's the only player I met.  I wrote about my experience HERE.  There's no way I could imagine he'd be gone in a few short months.  I'm certainly glad I took the time to meet him.

Overall 2024 was a productive and fun collecting year with many great cards added.  I've already got a couple road trips planned for 2025 so maybe I'll get into new hunting grounds.  

Until next time, Happy New Year!