2026 (!) Goals

[michaelstepper]

Happy New year everyone. I haven't seen a 2026 goals thread yet so thought I'd start one.
Here is last years

L

Thread '2025 Collecting Goals'

Dec 24, 2024

Prior threads:

• 2009
• 2010 (thread 2)
• 2011
• 2012 (thread 2) (recap)
• 2013 (thread 2)
• 2014 (recap)
• 2015
• 2016
• 2017
• 2018 (thread 2)
• 2019
• 2020
• 2021 (recap)
• 2022
• 2023
• 2024 (recap)

For the 17th year running... What are your goals for the coming year?

Jonny Gomes:

1. Add one non-1/1 card from the needs list (2001–2019)
2. Finish the two non-1/1s from the...

• LWMM
• Replies: 32
• Forum: Baseball

• 

Do you have Hobby goals you'd like to share? Maybe not even hobby related, personal goals? Please share any you are comfortable in doing so.

I'll start:

1) Keeping with last years goal, I'd love to add 3-5 of the 2005 red blue stitch sweet spot classic autos I need for my set swap.

2) Adding 3-5 Sweet spots from my various other sets I'm working on.

3) purchase enough new Mags and storage cases to get everything into them and out of snap tites and cardboard storage.

4) Add 3-5 HOF bat barrel pieces, autod or not.

A couple non hobby related

5) Visit at least 5 National Parks or monuments on my trips south. I have a reservation for one already to start the year.

6) barring semi serious injury again, I'd like to cut down to 210 lbs. Currently at 240. Was down 15lbs last year then mildly tore my mcl and aggravating an old PCL injury. Much better now but 7 months later it still bothers me at times.

 

[thelesquad]

Ryne Sandberg goals:
1. Hit two needs from his top 10 playing years list
2. Complete a modern rainbow
3. Acquire 8 HR ticket stubs (currently at 182/256)

 

[clarkzac]

1) Convince myself to stay in the hobby. Been toying with the idea of switching to all memorabilia- signed baseballs, photos, full game used items. I do both right now, but the wallet can't justify both and I like how easy it is to display the memorabilia.

2) Try and get my oldest into the hobby. Thinking that this might spark a little more joy in the hobby for me. He turns 7 tomorrow actually. He has shown interest in the stadium giveaway bobbleheads, but not cards yet. I'm open to even trying Pokemon cards to get his foot in the door. Missed my chance when they had the Spongebob Chrome set since that's his favorite show at the moment.

3) Knock a couple of stadiums off the list. This one I can already guarantee as we are driving to Knoxville, TN which our route takes us right through Kansas City and St. Louis, which will be numbers 9 and 10 for me. Also throwing a short detour up to the Louisville Slugger Museum on that trip.

4) Acquire 7 Minnesota Twins Allen and Ginter autos that I need. Counting 2025 release, there are 14 that I need, and 5 of them are HOFers- Paul Molitor x2, Joe Mauer x2, and Jim Kaat.

 

[MrMet2.0]

2) Try and get my oldest into the hobby. Thinking that this might spark a little more joy in the hobby for me. He turns 7 tomorrow actually. He has shown interest in the stadium giveaway bobbleheads, but not cards yet. I'm open to even trying Pokemon cards to get his foot in the door. Missed my chance when they had the Spongebob Chrome set since that's his favorite show at the moment.

Take him to a minor league game or two, if you can, go down to the dugout before the game, help him meet the players and get IP autos…worked like a charm for my son

 

[clarkzac]

Take him to a minor league game or two, if you can, go down to the dugout before the game, help him meet the players and get IP autos…worked like a charm for my son

You act as if we don't live in the middle of nowhere, haha! Planning on getting him to Kauffman and Busch stadiums this year though, along with going to the Louisville Slugger Museum though. Closest MiLB team is 6.5 hours away.

 

[gt2590]

I've given up hope of ever getting my dream Non-Sports card, a Patrick Stewart-William Shatner Rittenhouse case incentive dual auto.

Shoulda bought it for $250-300 in 2019. Now $5K-ish.

Leaf has some similar items but not nearly as nice looking IMO.

This past year I've finally did all my eBay listing and PC thinning and sorting.

Would like to cut back my wax buying but I've really slowed down the last two years or so.

The only goal left is to finally put in my huge COMC selling lot.

I've held off for various reasons but they look solid now and seem to be catching up on orders, even if the shipping has gotten much pricier.

They're at a local show in March and would prefer to start the process in person before shipping the bigger boxes...

 

[Dazed]

You act as if we don't live in the middle of nowhere, haha! Planning on getting him to Kauffman and Busch stadiums this year though, along with going to the Louisville Slugger Museum though. Closest MiLB team is 6.5 hours away.

If you have time let me know when you're heading to KC.

 

[MrMet2.0]

You act as if we don't live in the middle of nowhere, haha! Planning on getting him to Kauffman and Busch stadiums this year though, along with going to the Louisville Slugger Museum though. Closest MiLB team is 6.5 hours away.

Well…maybe….if you build it, they will come?

 

[banjar]

Same as usual for me...

1) Continue to pick up Dave Parker cards.

2) Continue to pick up Roberto Alomar cards. 2025 was a banner year for finding rare inserts and parallels, here's hoping 2026 will bring more of the same!

Happy new year to everyone.

 

[dano7]

1. Add 2 more Hassan T202 cards

2. Continue to look for a Frank Chance B-18 Blanket with yellow pennants - SP so will be tough - Might have to can this one, as I saw where one sold at auction for over $3000!!!!

3. Continue to look for T209 Contentnea Roanoke players

4. Make it to 1500 different Yankee autographs

5. Get more college players autographs at Viirginia Tech & from visiting teams - expand to a couple of UVA games, also

6. Get more in person autographs at ballparks this year and visit Cary,NC for team USA autographs

 

[KLARNOLD]

2026 collecting goals:
1. Continue searching for low serial numbered (100 or less such as 2005 Playoff Prestige AL Central, AL Wild Card & AL Champion) cards that I do not have from Albert Pujols's playing years.
2. Find early Pujols's playing years GU & tough to find inserts
3. Find 2000 UD Signs of Gold Brad Wilkerson Auto
4. Determine whether to submit some cards for grading to PSA, BGS or SGC or not.

 

[gt2590]

I've given up hope of ever getting my dream Non-Sports card, a Patrick Stewart-William Shatner Rittenhouse case incentive dual auto.

Shoulda bought it for $250-300 in 2019. Now $5K-ish.

Leaf has some similar items but not nearly as nice looking IMO.

This past year I've finally did all my eBay listing and PC thinning and sorting.

Would like to cut back my wax buying but I've really slowed down the last two years or so.

The only goal left is to finally put in my huge COMC selling lot.

I've held off for various reasons but they look solid now and seem to be catching up on orders, even if the shipping has gotten much pricier.

They're at a local show in March and would prefer to start the process in person before shipping the bigger boxes...

Here's that card I was referring to.

Ugh, will be kicking myself forever for not jumping on it.

I was moving that same week and didn't want to make a big purchase.

None showed up for quite a while.

Then they started showing up again, but for about $5K. Grrrr...

 

[mrmopar]

The only goal left is to finally put in my huge COMC selling lot.

I've held off for various reasons but they look solid now and seem to be catching up on orders, even if the shipping has gotten much pricier.

They're at a local show in March and would prefer to start the process in person before shipping the bigger boxes...

They don't look solid to me from a buying standpoint. I have been on the fence for the last several years and always went back for more. but this last shipment pushed me over. Combined shipping is huge in todays world. Shipping fees alone can cost buyers $100s to $1000s to get the cards they want from worldwide sellers or all sorts. Times really have changed a lot, but you have to pay to play! Having the ability to compile one shipment was huge. Saving $ was worth the wait to get the cards, but originally even that wait was less than 2 weeks in most cases. Now it's a long wait (2+ months often) AND a much higher fee. Yes, you can still save considerable shipping fees even at $20, but the selection at COMC was also drying up too. I planed to wait to see what black Friday & cyber Monday looked like and ended up requesting my shipment on Friday when I saw nothing to add to my order. $20 bulk shipping is now the low combined rate and waiting 2-3 months to get your cards when you are finally ready is just too much for me any longer. Thankfully, I am reducing my spending anyway, or it may be tougher to resist.

Good luck if you send cards to them. No longer a fan and certainly not a buyer with them any more.

 

[banjar]

Damn. Sorry mate.

I have a few of those type regrets as well.

Here's that card I was referring to.

Ugh, will be kicking myself forever for not jumping on it.

I was moving that same week and didn't want to make a big purchase.

None showed up for quite a while.

Then they started showing up again, but for about $5K. Grrrr...

 

[nevermore]

Collections
1. Paul O'Neill -- add 5 cards
2. Topps Yankees -- add 10 cards from 1952-1970 to cut y team set needs in half
3. High-End -- add 4 cards, one per quarter.

Collecting
1. Trade again! I miss the days of PWE trades.
2. Attend 6 card shows, including one multi-day show.
3. Curate checklists to carve out niches for both nobodies and noteworthy players

Collector
1. Listen to more history (rather than hype) hobby content on YouTube/podcasts
2. Watch more sports documentaries
3. Attend 3 live sporting events this year

 

[OakAth]

2026 Goals:

I have cut back or ended many of my pursuits and am just going to concentrate on the below four;

1) 2006 Topps finest White Frame Refractors and XFractors 1/1, currently have 93 and was able to add 3 in 2025

2) 2021 Topps Finest Purple Pink Vapor Refractors /3, currently have 62 out of 100 and was able to add 7 in 2025

3) 2000 Pacific Paramount Premiere Date /50, currently have 201 out of 250 and was able to add 11 in 2025

4) Find a cache of mint vintage baseball cards long forgotten in an elderly relatives attic....did not find any in 2025

 

[dano7]

Collections
1. Paul O'Neill -- add 5 cards
2. Topps Yankees -- add 10 cards from 1952-1970 to cut y team set needs in half
3. High-End -- add 4 cards, one per quarter.

Collecting
1. Trade again! I miss the days of PWE trades.
2. Attend 6 card shows, including one multi-day show.
3. Curate checklists to carve out niches for both nobodies and noteworthy players

Collector
1. Listen to more history (rather than hype) hobby content on YouTube/podcasts
2. Watch more sports documentaries
3. Attend 3 live sporting events this year

Glad I got my 1952 -70 Yankees done over 10 years ago, as prices have gone up dramatically. A very worthy goal!!!! In 2020 I went back and got the 1952 Sain and Page error cards in the different back colors.

 

[WizardofOz1982]

2026 Goals:

1. 1997 Red Sox Score Premier Club #10 Jeff Frye - This is the last pack pulled Jeff Frye card on my checklist. I want to find it. I've never seen one.

2. Determine if I'm going to keep super collecting Ryan Helsley or not after he got traded away from the Cardinals and signed with the Orioles. I've picked up a couple Red Parallels /5 of his Topps Chrome Update in a Muts uniform because they were cheap but I haven't picked up any of the other parallels or really even started on a couple of his other 2025 issues like Heritage.

3. Add at least 21 of the 2002 Fleer Classic Cuts Relics to my set build. That would get me over the halfway point to completion. I'd love one of them to be one of the shortprints that are /10 or under.

4. Add 15 cards to my 1999 SI Greats of the Game Auto set to get over halfway done with it.

5. Add the 1929 Edward, Ringers, and Biggs Sports of All Nations Hockey and Football cards to finish my set.

 

[cjedmonton]

I admire all the specific and focused goals! Mine are more generic, but no less satisfying if I achieve them.

1. Organize what I have by entering them in Card Ladder
2. Pick up another playing days Jimmie Foxx or two
3. Pick up a 4th or 5th tier Shohei RC (Heritage, Archives. etc...)
4. Start a Topps era Dodger luminary collection. HOFers, Retired numbers, MVP/CYA/ROY, Legends of Dodger baseball honor, etc... No rookies.

 

[CardBoredom]

I have fewer goals for 2026.

1. Finish at least two additional series of the 1952 Topps set. I am 3-5 cards away from Series 1, 4, and 5 and see any of those as being easy wins by the end of the year.
2. Obtain a "Mt. Rushmore" card - something that would easily slot into the top four cards of my baseball collection. I am currently saving for a big purchase and hope to secure something in 2026.
3. Write up and share at least 9 deeper dives into various aspects into the three primary sets I collect.
4. Make a plan to go to the National Card Convention. I am not actually going this year, but would like to at some future date and it has always a rather hazy idea as to what such a trip would entail. This year my goal is to fully map out the financial and logistical plans for a trip. I need to know what I am aiming for if I am ever to make this trip. How much time would I need off from work? How much are travel costs? Where would I stay? What are good places to eat? How to best avoid the traffic congestion?