Why Do I Collect Low Grade Vintage Baseball Cards? That & More On MidLife's MidWeek Q & A!!

Please don't hesitate to ask a question for an upcoming episode. Simply type your question in the comments of this video. I genuinely look forward to seeing what questions are asked each and every week, and can't wait to share my opinions for each topic. In this week's episode of MidLife's MidWeek Q & A I cover a variety of topics, which include: collecting player runs, why I collect low grade vintage cards, and who would I collect if I was a super collector. I love the diversity of collecting in the community: Ted Williams, Ernie Banks, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Yogi Berra. Regardless of the team, player, sport, or era that you collect, the contributions from everyone are what make this card collecting community what it is.
If you're interested in submitting your favorite pickups from the month of May, to be included in the upcoming MidLife Community Show and Tell video, please use this link: forms.gle/SCR1...
Some of my other recent videos:
PSA's CEO Shares Big Changes at PSA: • Several Big Changes an...
Multiple Pickups at an Epic Card Show: • The Best Card Show I'v...
Has the Card Collecting Community Lost Their Minds: • Have Card Collectors L...
Avoid this Common Card Collecting Mistake: • Card Collectors Can't ...
Why to Buy the Card and Not the Grade: • The Best Advice: "Buy ...
Buying HOF RCs Before they're HOFers: • Buy Their Cards Before...
A Recent May 2023 Card Show Vlog: • Rocklin Card Show Vlog...
Going back in time to see what vintage cards were worth in 1986: • Baseball Cards Have Go...
Why We Should Be Buying PSA 1s: • Here's Why I Think You...
Better understanding the supply and demand of sports cards: • How to Predict the Fut...
A Recent Card Show With Tons of Vintage and t206 Cards: • This Card Show Was Loa...
My Analysis on whether Rookie Cards are Overrated: • Are Rookie Cards Reall...
My Dad's Estate Sale Find of a Lifetime; A Shoebox of Vintage Cards: • Finding a Shoebox of V...
Why PSA is Still Beating SGC: • The Reasons Why PSA is...
Top 5 Undervalued Vintage Rookie Cards: • Why Are These 5 Vintag...
Consider following me on other platforms:
Twitter: @MidLifeCards
Instagram: @MidLifeCards
TikTok: @MidLifeCards
Email me at: [e-mail]
#vintagecards #baseballcards #sportscards #thehobby
All statements and opinions shared in this video (and all of my videos) are for entertainment purposes only, and are not investment advice. I consider Sports Cards to be a hobby, and not an investment. If you're interested in investment advice, I recommend connecting with a certified financial planner.

[@brentrichardsbaseballcards]

Ya, Tom Watson or Gary Player would have been my choices for golf if I collected golf - for the reasons you stated. Great answers all!

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks. Watson is a great guy.

[@StraightRaceCards]

Great questions you chose to answer. The Super Collector is a fun one…. I would say Christy Mathewson and Ted Lyons would be my vote Christy is who drew me to cards and is the model for Christian character and was a phenomenal pitcher Lyons is a fun one because he is the only Baylor University MLB player in the hall of fame, and not only a baseball player, but ran track at Baylor which connects me as I am a former Baylor track & cross country athlete. Look forward to these every week!

[@MidLifeCards]

Agree with you on Mathewson.

[@stevegallo8483]

Regarding player runs, there is not set way to go about it. With my Yaz run, I started with the ones from 1980-1983 because I got them out of packs. 76-79, I picked up when I saw them at good prices. Same with the others I have (1970, 1972-75, 1968, and the 1960 rookie) I have a list of all the Yaz cards and check them off as I get them. I don't target any one before any other. FYI, finding a 71 that meets what I'm looking for is proving to be a challenge because of those black borders.

[@MidLifeCards]

That set is brutal to find with good eye appeal.

[@returntocollecting]

Great Q&A Graig! Loved your reproduction answer! Very detailed!! Really enjoyed your answers to the other questions as well. For a super collector, Williams is a great choice. I'd likely do Gehrig... I'd just have a small super collection due to being somewhat cost prohibitive.

[@ACD1994]

Someone in the comments section asked what defines a super collector. And it's an interesting question. Because I don't know either. I just interpret it, as being extra passionate and focused on that particular person, but the quantity when comes to being a super collector. Yeah an interesting conversation I think.

[@MidLifeCards]

Gehrig is a GREAT choice!!

[@timothylittle8876]

heres you a question for next week..you get out of your car at your local card shop. you look down and 100 bill is laying on the ground. what one card are you going to buy with it? Mine would be a 1953 Topps Eddie Mathews 37 with a grade of a 3. With some haggling probably.

[@MidLifeCards]

Interesting question....I may have to think on this one. A "free" $100 may adjust my normal decision making.

[@mookiechillson]

Your answer for reproduction vs the original card is so so so spot on. You CAN imagine how the wear happened - and when there’s a pinhole you know EXACTLY how the damage occurred and why. That’s why that Doby postcard I just got is such an inner circle collectible for me. I know the person who sent the card, the player who signed the card, the date that it all happened and how the young man displayed it. The depth of meaning and value from that dimension is INCALCULABLE to me. I love your answer.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks my friend. I appreciate the depth of your thinking and analysis of all things.

[@vintagecollector5340]

This is true, but do these same guidelines of reproductions hold true for things like photos? For an item to be a reproduction, it has be reproduced from the original,right? However, what if there aren't any type 1 photos in existence and you print a (type II) photo from a negative in your collection; does that mean it's a reproduction, even if no type 1 examples are known to exist? My thought process is that if it's from the original negative, then it's an original, regardless of when it was printed. With photos, I would think the same guidelines don't necessarily apply, and we can appreciate having a unique collectible that very few (if any) have.

[@mookiechillson]

@@vintagecollector5340 this is a great point! I think photo reproductions are a great way to collect images, and I have some myself. I don’t have anything against reproductions as a rule - I just prefer to get the original if possible. That’s so much harder with photos - you’re so right.

[@vintagecollector5340]

@@mookiechillson I own few original negatives of Ken Griffey Jr and Michael Jordan from their rookie seasons. These likely have never been seen. A few even depict a young Jordan in his rivalry against Bird. There's a good chance a type 1 original photos do not exist of these, so printing a type II photo from the negatives could significantly bring the value up for those photos. Regardless of whether anyone wants to recognize them as reproductions or not, they're extremely rare and very undervalued. I snatched a Jordan and Griffey rookie negative for well under a hundred-dollars a piece. One of the Griffeys was used on his 1989 Star Promo rookie, as well as a number of other Star Company cards of his.

[@vintagecollector5340]

@@mookiechillson Agreed. I have some very rare rookie negatives of both Jordan and Griffey capable of type II photos. Very rare stuff that nobody is looking at. I'm surprised negatives haven't skyrocketed, considering their rarity.

[@billyballgamesportscards]

I'm kind of like you in that I'm really picky with the bigger cards in my collection if I'm going to spend a lot of money on a card that I've wanted for a long time I want to buy it once and be happy with the one that I have. I completely understand why you still don't have an Ernie Banks rookie!

[@MidLifeCards]

Yeah...we're a lot alike!!

[@DaveBauer165]

Given your criteria for a super collector target, I think Musial would be a nice fit.

[@ACD1994]

Great choice, Dave.

[@MidLifeCards]

One of the absolute best ever.

[@ACollectorsDream]

Great stuff

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks Orlando. You're always so supportive.

[@vintagesanctuary]

Great episode, Graig! I can see you need questions, my collecting brother! As a fellow fan of Ted Williams, below is a question for you: If you could only have one Ted Williams card in your collection, which one would it be? His glorious 1939 Play Ball RC? His glorious 1941 Play Ball, in color, from his epic 406 year? His glorious 1948-49 Leaf? None of the above? Related question: Is there a Ted Williams card that is a high priority when you get around to a "big" Ted Williams pickup? I'll take my answer off the air. 😊👊

[@MidLifeCards]

What a GREAT question!!

[@jerrelbean]

On my player runs I started with the best centered and nicest eye appeal cards first.

[@MidLifeCards]

I think that's a smart move.

[@treavorphipps4544]

Great video and answers. Which obscure baseball set is your favorite? What obscure baseball sets do you collect? My two favorites are the 1954 Red Heart dog food set and the 1963 Fleer set. I’m attempting to collect both of them as well.

[@ACD1994]

Fun question.

[@MidLifeCards]

This is a fun question. I'm assuming by "obscure" you mean not Topps, Bowman, Goudey, etc....yeah?

[@treavorphipps4544]

Yeah. Any set that is not from the normal/regular / or even popular sets of the time. I commonly think of the 1954 Red Heart dog Food, ‘58 Hires Root Beer, ‘63 Fleer, 1911 Mecca Double folder, etc… .

[@treavorphipps4544]

Wilson Franks, Kahn’s Wiener, Dandy chip are also examples.

[@chadholt1171]

I’m looking forward to seeing the grail card you recently acquired. I hope you share details of the trade. It’s interesting to see the trades people make. I have reprints of Starr, Hornung, Rodgers, Banks and Brock rookie cards in my Cubs and Packers Binders. I wouldn’t want to keep cards with that much value in a binder and the reprints fill the holes nicely. Most of the 50’s Banks card in my binder are reprints or in very poor condition as well. I do have other nicer original copies of most of these cards elsewhere in my collection. What’s your opinion on having poor condition examples of expensive cards graded?

[@MidLifeCards]

This is a great question and I’m currently working on a full video on this topic with my friend Chris from Missouri!!

[@MichaelRader-vu1tt]

Here's a question for next week. I have noticed that when a HOF Player dies, their sports cards make a significant jump up in price. Just for a couple of recent examples, Hank Aaron and O.J. Simpson's cards spiked on the day of their death. My question is, should we invest in players who are long in the tooth but still alive, or as a collector, should we grab those player's cards before the inevitable happens to save money? I know, strange question.

[@MidLifeCards]

I think it's a very interesting question and very worthy of talking about.

[@chrissumpter5662]

Question…The 1952 Topps Mantle. Folks say it’s plentiful, but I disagree. Yes, at the National you may see 30 for sale, the same 30 listed on eBay and myslabs for high $’s. My question is if you look at the pop count, don’t you think there is a high probability that at least half, or 40-50%, are likely regrades or crack and resubmits? I think given it’s arguably the most iconic card in the hobby, and also one of the most expensive, it’s very likely this has occurred over the years. Never mind those that are crossed between grading companies like SGC and PSA. I think it’s more rare than people think and of course everyone wants one. Secondly, do you think now that PSA and SGC are under the same parent company they will now remove certifications as people cross-over their graded cards from SGC to PSA and vise versa? Would be a cool way for them to have better pop control. Interested in your thoughts…love the content.

[@MidLifeCards]

This is a great question!!

[@bobwhite4671]

With you on Larry Bird, he was what got me into watching basketball. That playoff game against Detroit and stole that inbounds pass and then the pass to DJ and score with no time left was unbelievable.

[@MidLifeCards]

Yep. One of his best plays ever. Always smart and always prowling.

[@davidlapointe7446]

Hi Graig I really enjoy all of your shows. Thanks for taking the time to give us card needs an informative quality show. Question 4 u. Memorabilia auto Question. I inherited from my dad a hr plaque autographed hopefully by all the 500 hr hitters in between ruth ott and the new crop of McGwire and pujols. Here is the Question finally- Do u think it would b OK to just get the willie mays, mickey, and teddy 🧸 ballgame autos authenticated or should get a the autos authenticated? My thought being if the mantle willie and ted autos r real why wouldn't the rest b as well. Thanks I hope u r having a great summer vacation!!

[@MidLifeCards]

That's a really interesting question. I can certainly give my advice and thoughts on it next week!!

[@LegendsNeverDieCollection]

Low grade raw cards are where it's at!! Right Graig? RIGHT?!? 🤪

[@MidLifeCards]

I'm working on a video with Chris from Missouri that is on this topic. We expand on our thoughts on it!!

[@LegendsNeverDieCollection]

You’re working on a raw card video…with another graded card guy? 🤪😅

[@ACD1994]

@@LegendsNeverDieCollection And with a graded card guy that has weekly, or bi-weekly, who has the higher graded card ''showdown'' videos too...😆

[@MidLifeCards]

A low grade card video.

[@MidLifeCards]

You'll be interested to hear what Chris has to say about grades on cards in the episode that will post soon.

[@cryptonite8495]

Q. for next week: You're browsing a show or eBay and you come across a card that you already own or are not especially looking for. But this card you stumbled upon is an incredible bargain. Do you let someone else have the bargain or do you snap it up with an idea of selling or trading it?

[@MidLifeCards]

That's a good question. How big of a bargain are we talking? Is this a $500 card that's being sold for $300....something like that?

[@cryptonite8495]

@@MidLifeCards Yeah, that sounds about right for this hypothetical. A lot less than you paid for your copy.

[@JohnMiller-jj9kx]

Question: why do you sell cards that you have in your collection? F St o you get bored with them or is it just moving to something you maybe just discovered? I have several hundred McCovey cards that make up maybe 3-4 complete sets of his playing years, so I’m ready to keep a set and sell to fund other card purchases.

[@MidLifeCards]

That's a great question!!

[@tonyleebrick9050]

Hey Graig, I have a question for you. Do you have any interest in the Type I photographs that I’m seeing in these auctions? Personally, the only ones I was initially drawn to were the ones connected to an image on a classic baseball card. Recently, after reading some books on historic prewar baseball era photography, I have found myself more interested in the photos of that era. Just curious where you are on this type of collectible.

[@MidLifeCards]

This is a fun question!! If I don't answer it this week, please ask again next week!!

[@markstein1916]

That one question cracked me up. You seem like the last person on earth who would make a quick/impulsive snap decision at a card show (or anywhere else!)

[@MidLifeCards]

It's a good and a bad thing!!

[@JayAverageVintageCollector]

Hey Graig! Do you still own all of your common cards from the “junk era”. I have an absolute ton. Most of it is just sentimental value to me. But, they do take up a large portion of space that I could definitely use elsewhere. Minus a few years that I am working on sets, I would consider getting rid of the rest…maybe? But, this is difficult in two aspects. First, they aren’t worth much and finding a buyer is tough. Second, if you do find a buyer, how do you agree on price? For you, does the sentimental value of common cards outweigh the actual value? Just curious as to whether or not you still have these type of cards. Thanks!

[@MidLifeCards]

I'll try to bring this up during my hour of Hobby Palooza on Sunday with my buddy Darren!!

[@markstein1916]

Here’s a question for next time… How do you show off your prized cards? In frames? Displayed on mini-easels? Do you have a display room, and if so, let's see it! Or do you just sock your cards away in binders, cases, shoe boxes or perhaps a safety deposit box? And lastly, do you collect memorabilia aside from just cards? (Photos, Pennants, Pins, Game-used Equipment, Autographs, etc.) Thanks!

[@MidLifeCards]

This is a fun question. I'll try to answer it soon. If I don't use it this week, please ask it again next week to remind me to talk about it.

[@MiguelSanchez-xn3vv]

Im in grad school and nowhere near owning a home…but your great responses would make me watch a 3hr video of you talking about which type of home loan is better! Great vid as always!

[@MidLifeCards]

I could honestly talk about that topic for 3 hours. Honestly...I could. It's a topic I love.

[@Hodges1455]

Gave a video like. Enjoyed as always

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much.

[@TuckersVintageBaseball]

Not a card related question but I’ve been dying to know what your golf handicap is.

[@MidLifeCards]

It's currently 7.2. I've been as low as 4 and as high as 9 in the past 5 years. Depends on how much I'm playing.

[@eddyscardboardchaos]

Graig, my question is not about cards necessarily but about your youtube experience as a card collector. What do you look for in a sports card channel when you considering subscribing? Stated differently, what makes you hit subscribe on a channel you are not already familiar with.

[@MidLifeCards]

This is a great question. Can I get you to ask it in this Wednesday's video (posted yesterday) so I remember to use it next week?

[@eddyscardboardchaos]

@@MidLifeCards Just to be ignored again, no thanks. jkjk.

[@789cards]

Question for next week How do you define a super collector? Is it a massive volume of cards like Baseball Collector's 6,000 pudge cards? Is it owning a few key cards? Is a player run the minimum to even consider yourself a super collector? Do you need to own an auto as a qualifier? Does it change if you are a team super collector?

[@MidLifeCards]

That's a really good question.

[@RL3sports]

If i was a super collector my choices would be easy. Rickey Henderson, Walter Payton, Dominique Wilkins and Mario Lemieux. Just a cool factor for me. Everyone liked jordan, so i had to be different If you havent seen the latest Chasing Cardboard episode, you have to watch. When you see what is in his closet you will have to pickup your jaw of the floor. Millions of dollars. Vintage paradise episode

[@MidLifeCards]

I've watched most of them, but I haven't seen that one yet.

[@Andys_Attic]

Like #29, Rod Carew! I have no issues with wear on a card that I have had in my collection since I was young, but tend to look for better conditioned cards as I got older. Just my own personal preference and love so many collections and cards throughout this community. Low grade, high grade, graded or non-graded everyone has their own preferences and is what I love about the hobby and community. Love your personal stories with meeting players Graig. Thanks for sharing 👍👍 and ✌out

[@MidLifeCards]

Well said. Totally agree with you about the eye of the beholder being the key.

[@ghostrunneron]

I live in Kansas City and I was shopping at a garden nursery the other day and lo and behold, if it wasn't Tom Watson checking out in front of me. I was too nervous to say hello (he was my dad's favorite golfer of all time). But you...I bet you would have said hello!

[@MidLifeCards]

Wow. That's incredible. I'll tell you this....he's an EXTREMELY nice gentleman.

[@craigs.t.3321]

Here’s a question - just finished watching “king of collectibles” on Netflix and a random statement made by Ken Goldin at the 9-minute mark of the last episode really caught my attention. While looking thru ken Kendrick’s collection he came across a 52 topps willie mays and said “I think this guy is the most undervalued player in sports” When millions of people are tuning in and watching an obscene amount of $ being thrown around on sports cards and the “king of collectibles” makes a statement like that…. Do you think a random statement like that on a Netflix show could actually make willie mays cards prices spike?? Call me crazy but I think it just might. Millions of people hear Ken Goldin claim willie mays is the most undervalued player in sports makes me think millions of people might just consider investing in willie mays cards. 🤔 My second thought was “let me ask Graig for his next Q&A” 😂

[@ACD1994]

Willie Mays may be under valued. But I wouldn't trust Ken Goldin for as far as I could throw him.

[@craigs.t.3321]

@@ACD1994 oh for sure… I don’t either. Just curious how much his words might influence the millions of casual Netflix viewers who are dabbling in the billion dollar collectibles industry.

[@ACD1994]

@@craigs.t.3321 True. Netflix does have a lot of viewers. I am sure the show is helpful for his company

[@MidLifeCards]

I love this question!! I'll definitely use this one this week!!

[@royakard8536]

Here is a light- hearted question for consideration. When i was a young collector, I used to look forward to seeing old card dealers. We had a term for them back then as ( having a good eye for cards), meaning they always had put out tasteful stuff we would love. I fear the grading and number culture will breed a whole different reality for the hobby i love. Will the guy who just enjoys cool card be a hobby hermit later down the road?

[@MidLifeCards]

That's actually kind of a deep question, if you ask me!! Tough to answer, but I can try.

[@royakard8536]

@@MidLifeCards totally optional for you anyhow

[@ACD1994]

I thought you were going to say Roger Clemens and Joe Montana! But great super collector choices, Graig. Here's another question for you. You mentioned in your ''short winded'' video. That one day, you would narrow down your collection to 100 cards. When you buy cards now, at the National, online, and other card shows are these cards that are going to be in your final 100, and how do you go about determining, which ones you're going to keep for the long-term, with all of the cards you already do have, since you collect pre-war, vintage, some modern various sports and non-sport, too? Thanks Graig. You received so many QUESTIONS this week! Maybe a new record....

[@MidLifeCards]

I love this question!! If I don't answer it this week, I hope you'll ask it again soon.

[@ACD1994]

@@MidLifeCards If I can remember I will! Thanks

[@dacryptkeeper6836]

Surely, as a Yankees fan, you have a Yogi Berra autograph . . . doncha??? 😲

[@MidLifeCards]

Yes, I do. I got it on a ball at a card show in New Jersey about 20 years ago.

[@dacryptkeeper6836]

@@MidLifeCards I have an autographed card!

[@Politano1955]

On the question of collecting political cards, that's a BIG no no with me. I love iconic stuff more than anybody, but there is a line I draw. Just this past weekend I was at a collectable show in Burbank and someone had some 1942-43 cards from Germany featuring Nazi generals. I had never seen those before so after checking I found out they were 100% legit. But something like that made my skin crawl and I was very quick to pass. This hobby can get overwhelming at times so I just stick to the plan and don't deflect to something I'll regret.

[@MidLifeCards]

I didn't say ALL political cards were ones I'd want. But, there are some, for sure. Anything related to that regime is bad news in my eyes.

[@Richard-jw5uj]

Are you a baseball card whisperer? When I see a damaged card I see one that was abused or neglected. If you loved the card, you would take care of it.

[@MidLifeCards]

I'm actually doing a video with my friend Chris from Missouri and we're going to talk about this topic. Should post this weekend.