Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe

Episode 112 Non Sports Rookies Part 2

From Snoopy's earliest appearances to the surprisingly complex world of Peanuts trading cards, this episode uncovers one of the hobby's most overlooked collecting opportunities. Joe Davis explores the history behind Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the beloved Peanuts gang, revealing rare vintage issues, international releases, and the cards many collectors don't even know exist. Along the way, he shares the research strategies he uses to identify long-term collectibles and explains why one of the world's most recognizable brands may still be undervalued. Whether you're a lifelong Peanuts fan, a vintage card collector, or simply love discovering hidden gems in the hobby, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Episode 111 Grading Trends and Strategies PSA BGS SGC and CGC

PSA's value-level grading services have been paused for a full month now, so what should collectors be doing? In this episode, Joe Davis shares what he's seeing firsthand after handling thousands of grading submissions and reveals the strategies his own shop is using while the hobby waits for PSA to reopen. From surprising grading trends and market shifts to the best alternatives for modern cards, vintage, and TCG, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you make smarter decisions in an uncertain market. If you're wondering whether to wait, switch grading companies, or keep your collection moving, you won't want to miss this insider's perspective from one of the hobby's most experienced grading submitters.

Episode 110 Nashville Show Report

This week on Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe… Joe’s out, so it’s time for A Cup of Tea. ☕️
Join Taylor alongside retail power duo Jeff and Annette as they share about life behind the counter at GotBaseballCards and recap the team’s latest trip to the Nashville Card Show. From unforgettable customer moments and hobby stories to grading trends, vintage finds, exploding interest in Pokémon and cartoon cards, and what really makes a great card show experience—this episode goes deeper than buying and selling.
You’ll hear about collecting across generations, balancing family and hobby, lessons learned on the show floor, and why creating memorable experiences still matters most in today’s market. Plus: rapid-fire hobby questions, dream cards, show insights, and a look ahead at what’s next for the hobby this summer.
Whether you’re chasing slabs, building sets, or just love the community side of collecting, this episode is packed with stories that remind us why we got into cards in the first place.

Episode 109 Cartoon Rookie Cards - Flintstones, Scooby Doo and Looney Tunes

What if the biggest “rookie cards” in collecting aren’t athletes at all? In this episode of SportsCards & A Cup of Joe, Joe Davis takes listeners into a world most collectors never realize exists- vintage non-sports cards featuring legendary cartoon and entertainment characters. Inspired by a record-setting sale of a rare Luke Skywalker card, Joe explores the hidden market behind early appearances of icons like Fred Flintstone, Scooby-Doo, and Bugs Bunny.
From obscure international releases and ultra-low population reports to the thrill of uncovering forgotten cardboard treasures decades later, this episode blends nostalgia, collecting strategy, and a fresh way to think about long-term demand. Whether you collect sports, vintage, or simply grew up with Saturday morning cartoons, you may never look at “rookie cards” the same way again. And this is only Part 1.

Episode 108 Got PreGrading FAQs

This episode peels back the curtain on one of the hobby’s most talked-about new ideas. Joe Davis and Taylor Pruitt return to answer the flood of collector questions surrounding Got Pregrade - what it is, who it’s for, and why now may be the perfect time for a service like this. From turnaround times and condition transparency to vintage cards, modern pulls, show prep, and the future of buying and selling raw cards, this conversation tackles the questions collectors are already asking. Plus, Joe shares where this fits alongside traditional grading and why this isn’t about replacing the hobby… it’s about helping collectors make smarter decisions. And don’t miss the teaser at the end for an upcoming episode collectors have been requesting for over a year.
 
 
 

Episode 107 Joe's BIG Announcement

Big news is shaking up the grading world and this episode of Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe has a new alternative. Joe Davis shares the personal story that sparked decades of passion for authentication and collector protection, reveals the challenges facing the grading industry today, and announces a brand-new service designed to help collectors move faster, make smarter decisions, and know exactly what they’ve got before sending cards off.
From a memorable vintage Hank Aaron lesson to behind-the-scenes insight on how thousands of cards are evaluated, this episode dives into affordability, transparency, and turnaround times in a way collectors won’t want to miss. If you grade, buy, sell, or simply love cards, this conversation could change how you approach your collection.
Know what you’ve got. Hear why now is the time.

Episode 106 PSA Shutdown Strategies

PSA just hit pause… now what? In this episode of Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe, Joe takes you inside one of the wildest weeks the hobby has seen- massive submission volume, industry-wide ripple effects, and the scramble to adapt after PSA’s lower-tier shutdown.
From behind-the-scenes stories of getting submissions in under the wire to practical grading strategies for the months ahead, Joe breaks down what collectors, investors, and submitters should actually do next. Should you wait? Pivot to BGS, CGC, or SGC? Start stockpiling inventory? There may be more opportunity in this moment than most people realize.
Plus: a teaser for a major announcement coming next episode that could change how collectors navigate grading moving forward.
If you collect, grade, flip, or simply want to stay ahead of where the hobby is heading—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Episode 105 PSA Grading Suspension

PSA just dropped a bombshell on the hobby...and the entire sports card industry may feel the impact for months to come.
In this episode of Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe, Joe Davis breaks down PSA’s shocking decision to suspend all lower-level grading services as their backlog approaches a staggering 10 million cards. What does this mean for collectors, investors, flippers, and the future of grading?
Joe dives into the ripple effects across the hobby, from rising demand for existing slabs to the potential impact on wax ripping, Pokémon and TCG submissions, and competing grading companies like SGC, BGS, and CGC. Plus, hear insider perspective from the front lines as submission teams scramble to beat the cutoff deadline.
Is this a disaster for collectors… or a hidden opportunity?
Whether you’re sitting on a stack of raw cards, waiting on PSA orders, or wondering what happens next for the hobby, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Episode 104 35 Year Anniversary Part 2

Step into the future of the hobby in this thought-provoking 35th anniversary episode of Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe. Host Joe Davis flips the script as co-host Taylor Pruitt puts him in the hot seat for a candid conversation about where sports cards,  and collecting itself, are headed next. From the rise of live selling and entertainment cards to the future of card shops, grading, technology, and the changing mindset of collectors, Joe shares bold predictions, personal dreams, and hard-earned wisdom from more than three decades in the hobby.
Along the way, you’ll hear rapid-fire takes on underrated players, future trends, hobby concerns, and the one thing Joe hopes never changes about collecting. Whether you’re a longtime collector, a modern breaker, or just love the culture surrounding sports cards, this episode is packed with insight, nostalgia, humor, and passion for the hobby’s future.
Will card shops still exist in 2061? What collectibles are flying under the radar today? And what hobby trends could collectors regret chasing years from now? Tune in to find out.

Episode 103 PSA Announcement 5.14.26

PSA just dropped a bombshell on the hobby world and the ripple effects could change card grading forever. In this episode of Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe, Joe Davis breaks down the massive $200 million investment PSA is making into its future, what it means for collectors, dealers, and submitters, and why hobby insiders are paying very close attention.
From skyrocketing demand and longer turnaround times to major changes affecting bulk submissions, Joe unpacks the headlines, the frustrations, and the hidden opportunities behind one of the biggest grading announcements in years. Plus, he shares real-world insight from decades in the hobby, stories from the show floor, and his honest take on where the industry is headed next.
If you grade cards, collect cards, flip cards, or simply care about the future of the hobby - this is an episode you don’t want to miss.