They're all retired, and I have gotten successes a few years ago w/o sending a SASE. So there might be hope lol.

trading cards as in baseball and football players? if so Id say you wont get most back. you would have some chance if it was actors, since they ha people that help with their mail. but I cant see ball players buying envelopes, then stamps, plus taking the time to address it to you.

I feel like such an idiot

It certainly does make it harder to get a response if not longer.

I misinterpreted the meaning of SASE. I thought that it meant you just have to put your name and address in the top left corner of the envelope, but now I know that it means that you need to include a self addressed envelope with a stamp. I sent a few trading cards out without a SASE, is there a lower chance of me getting autographs back since I did not use a SASE?