In the final part of our post-National panel with Josh Adams and Chris McGill, the conversation shifts from comps to one of the hobby’s longest-running debates — rookie cards versus inserts and parallels. We explore why certain 90s insert sets deserve more respect, the psychology behind collectors’ preferences, and whether the rookie card’s dominance is partly a manufactured narrative. From power dynamics in auctions to the underrated beauty of “one-and-done” insert runs, this wrap-up delivers strong opinions, surprising perspectives, and plenty of hobby banter.

Highlights include:

Breaking down who really has the power to set a comp: buyer, underbidder, or seller

Underrated 90s insert and parallel sets — from Passing the Torch to One of a Kind

How Michael Jordan’s rare Stadium Club parallels compare to PMGs and Star Rubies

The psychology behind collectors’ love for shiny, eye-catching cards

Why some in the hobby dismiss inserts and others see them as core collectibles

Are rookie cards a hobby tradition or a manufactured gimmick?

How modern inserts differ from their 90s counterparts in rarity and appeal

The argument for collecting championship-year or iconic-moment cards instead of rookies

Final reflections from the National, including the growing phenomenon of late-night trade nights

Lighthearted moments, from hoodie-for-candy “comps” to memorable post-show interactions

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In Part 4 of our post-National discussion, Josh Adams, Chris McGill, and I dive into one of the hobby’s most debated topics: comps. Are they the foundation of the market, just one input in a bigger decision-making process, or both? We explore how comps are created, their limits, and why some of the most memorable purchases happen without checking them at all. Plus, a look at the role of repackers, flippers, collectors, and underbidders in shaping prices — and why certain sellers hold more power than ever.

Highlights include:

Why comps aren’t always the final word — and when to ignore them entirely

The “input vs. output” theory of comps and what it means for market movement

How the underbidder can have more influence than the winning bidder

The impact of repackers, flippers, and institutional buyers on modern card prices

Kabooms, Downtowns, and other repack staples that have surged in value

Challenges of comping rare or long-untraded cards (and creative ways to do it)

Why sellers with great items can command a premium regardless of comps

90s Auctions’ successful National and Josh Adams’ standout pickup

Comparing Strongsville to The National as a future show destination

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In Part 3 of Episode 278, Jeremy welcomes Chris McGill (Card Ladder) and Josh Adams (Midwest Vintage Cards / 90s Auctions) to share their experiences, pickups, and perspectives from the 2025 National. The conversation ranges from unexpected finds and rare PC completions, to the role of content creators in the hobby, and an in-depth discussion about the repack market’s impact on card values and liquidity.

Highlights include:

Chris on the Card Ladder booth’s creative atmosphere and content creator presence at the National

Discussion on the value of hobby content and the balance between cards and creators

Chris’s standout pickups, including rare Jokic “Totally Certified” 1/1s to complete a full run

Josh Adams on his National experience, meeting collectors, and sharing vintage expertise

Insights into the appeal of vintage cards showing natural age and character

Market observations on vintage scarcity — true rarity vs. population reports

The “vortex” effect of flipper activity on card prices and comps

In-depth debate on the repack market: artificial vs. organic demand, sustainability, and PSA’s entry into repack certification

How repacks and frequent ownership changes affect long-term value and collector behavior

Comparing the modern flipper model to the journey of cards finding their “final resting place” with end collectors

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In Part 2 of Episode 278, Jeremy is joined by Joe Poirot to break down National content coverage, what was missing, and the standout trends from the show floor — before unveiling several of his top vintage pickups and the stories behind them. Later, Leighton Sheldon of Just Collect joins to discuss his team’s record-setting National, capped by the sale of a near-complete PSA-graded T206 set. The conversation explores market strength, vintage demand, and the growing influence of repacks on the hobby.

Highlights include:

Joe Poirot’s take on what content from the National stood out and what was missing

Hobby trends observed at the show, from a vintage-heavy focus to strong transaction volume

Jeremy’s major pickups, including a PSA 5 1950 Bowman Yogi Berra and PSA 1 1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig

Story behind the Gehrig purchase and decision to pay over comps for high eye appeal

Additional acquisitions, including a 1950 Bowman Roy Campanella (charity auction win)

Leighton Sheldon on his best National ever for Just Collect

Behind-the-scenes of acquiring and selling a near-complete PSA T206 set during the show

Perspective on the hot vintage market and why demand is surging

Discussion on the rise of repacks and their impact on both modern and vintage sectors

Shout-outs to Vintage Trade Night and the For Collectors community event

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After a week off, we’re back with Episode 278 of Sports Cards Live — and it’s a big one. Fresh from the 2025 National, I share the story of tracking down and acquiring my No. 1 target: the 1941 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio. We talk negotiation, condition, and why this card means so much to me. Plus:

Picking up a stunning ’48 Leaf DiMaggio from the same vendor

Adding a perfectly centered 2nd-year Magic Johnson

Other show-floor finds from hockey legends to classic football and basketball

Behind-the-scenes stories from Wednesday & Thursday at The National, including events, parties, and memorable meetups

Shoutouts to some incredible vendors and collectors I met along the way

Whether you love the hunt, the hobby community, or just great card stories, this recap delivers all three.

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🎙️ Recorded live at The National 2025 in Chicago

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🎙️ Recorded live at The National 2025 in Chicago

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🎙️ Recorded live at The National 2025 in Chicago

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In this closing segment of Episode 277, Jeremy is joined by Chris McGill and Ben Hossler for a wide-ranging discussion on grading instability, repack legitimacy, and the state of trust in the hobby.

As SGC leadership changes and PSA steps into new territory with repacks, collectors are asking harder questions and this roundtable doesn’t shy away from them. Chris shares platform-level insights, Ben brings sharp data-driven analysis, and Jeremy guides the conversation toward what matters most: integrity, transparency, and collector confidence.

Topics include:

The hobby’s reaction to SGC’s leadership shift and Collectors’ long game

PSA’s repack alignment with CardsHQ - and what’s at stake reputationally

Why "fairness certification" isn’t a cure-all and might be a warning sign

How flipping, content, and market behavior intersect with responsibility

Ben on shifting collector behavior, risk tolerance, and confidence erosion

Chris on platform ethics and Card Ladder’s role in an evolving market

Why reputation is the real product and who’s still earning it

Ben closes the episode with a strong call to action: where the hobby needs to step up

This is a clear-eyed conversation for collectors who care about where the hobby goes next.

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In the 4th segment of Episode 277, Jeremy is joined by Card Ladder co-founder Chris McGill and data specialist Ben Hossler to discuss the hobby’s most pressing tensions from grading shakeups to repack scrutiny to the vulnerability of trust itself.

This is not a segment about drama it’s about reality. What does the collector base believe in right now? Who still has credibility? And what happens when grading companies or marketplaces miscalculate?

Topics include:

SGC’s uncertain future under Collectors and what it signals about grading competition

The PSA-CardsHQ repack controversy and how legitimacy is being defined (or dodged)

Whether the hobby is at risk of a trust correction as much as a market one

Why transparency, not performance, is the new currency of credibility

The moral gray zones of flipping, content creation, and influencer-driven hype

Ben’s insights on the data side and what’s shifting in collector behavior

Chris on platform responsibility and the future of Card Ladder in a skeptical market

This is a sharp, honest roundtable on what’s broken, what might be fixable, and what collectors should demand moving forward.

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