Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe

Episode 42: 2025 National Preview

In this special episode, Joe Davis takes you behind the scenes of the massive prep underway for The National — the biggest event of the year in the sports card hobby. From booth setup to inventory madness, Joe shares what it really takes to prepare for the show (spoiler: the real hustle happens before the doors open).
Get a sneak peek at what Got Baseball Cards is bringing to Chicago — from bargain boxes and vintage gems to freshly graded slabs and even graded comics. Joe also gives valuable tips for navigating the show like a pro, including how to plan your buying strategy and why the right shoes might save your entire trip.
Plus, hear about:
Exclusive services being offered at the Got Baseball Cards booth
Rare cards they’ll have on display — including some legendary rookies...
The mission behind their presence at the National
And don't miss the major announcement dropping on Thursday, July 31st, first on this podcast.

Episode 41: Nashville Show Report

In this episode of Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe, Joe returns from the massive 960-table Nashville Card Show with fresh insights and excitement about the state of the hobby. Joe shares behind-the-scenes moments from the show floor — from booming vintage sales and abundant grading submissions to a shocking twist involving a “signed” Shohei Ohtani baseball.
Get Joe’s firsthand take on:
Why Pokémon is dominating grading submissions like never before
The rise of vintage set builders and how old-school cardboard is still holding strong
An honest look at a missed $12K opportunity with a '93 Finest Refractor set
The story behind “the notebook” filled with Wacky Packages, Marvel stickers & Happy Days nostalgia
Why Friday and Sunday beat out Saturday for best sales days
A sneak peek at a brand-new product launch dropping really soon
Plus, hear how grading demand surged, how Joe’s team managed the rush, and what this all means for the upcoming National Sports Collectors Convention. If you’re heading to the National, don’t miss the preview coming in the next episode.

Episode 40: 1980 Top 10 Rookie List

Joe Davis is cracking open the vault of nostalgia in this episode of Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe—and this time, it's personal. With decades of firsthand experience and a deep love for the hobby, Joe walks you through the iconic rookie cards that defined the 1980s, year by year. From the electric debut of Rickey Henderson to the hobby-shifting arrival of Ken Griffey Jr., this episode covers the key cards, memorable players, and the untold stories behind the cardboard.
You’ll also hear about:
The rookie card that once sent Joe and his team to Disney World 🌟
What made 1984 Donruss Don Mattingly the card to chase
Which rookies got left out of key sets—and how that shaped the market
Joe’s personal missteps, grading lessons, and why centering matters and not just corners
And of course, don’t miss Joe’s definitive Top 10 list of 1980s rookie cards.
 

Episode 39: “The 1952 Find”

In this episode, Joe shares an unforgettable experience with Gary, an 83-year-old collector who drove 14 hours from New York with just one banker box? 
Nearly 400 cards were submitted for PSA grading, many in surprisingly high condition. And just a day later? Another collector walked in with a Jackie Robinson high number and Willie Mays rookie—solidifying it as a 1952 Topps kind of week.
Joe reflects on the power of these hidden collections, the joy of helping longtime collectors, and reminds us: they’re still out there.

Episode 38: Joe’s “Secret Sauce” to Business Building

In this inspiring episode of Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe, host Joe Davis shares one of the most impactful business principles he's ever applied—the Parthenon Approach. Rooted in a lesson learned decades ago from marketing legend Jay Abraham, Joe unpacks how building a business on multiple pillars of support—not just one—can be the key to long-term success, stability, and adaptability.
Whether you’re a sports card retailer, a team leader, or simply someone looking to grow something meaningful, Joe’s reflections offer more than just shop talk. Through personal stories and real-world examples from the sports card industry and beyond, you’ll learn how diversifying your operations—without losing focus—can protect and strengthen your business.
This episode isn’t about rookie card trends or grading stats—it's about big-picture thinking that can transform how you approach leadership and growth.
Tune in to discover:
What the Parthenon Approach is—and why it matters
How Joe’s business grew stronger by expanding its pillars
What happens when a business relies on just one leg of support
Why servant leadership is essential to every successful structure
This one’s packed with practical wisdom and encouragement—don’t miss it!

Episode 37: Find Your Niche

On this episode of Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe, Joe takes us on a journey—from the bustling card shows of 1988 to the overwhelming diversity of today’s modern hobby. With nearly four decades of experience in the sports card industry, Joe shares why finding your niche as a collector, dealer, or investor isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.
Whether you're new to the hobby, a seasoned reseller, or just love cracking open boxes on the weekend, Joe reveals a powerful mindset shift that can help you enjoy the hobby more and make smarter decisions. Plus, hear the nostalgic story of $10 Magic/Bird rookies, and why even Joe himself can’t keep up with every new release (and that’s saying something!).
Beyond the cardboard, Joe drops life wisdom on following your passion, becoming an expert, and how the principle of "finding your niche" applies far beyond trading cards.
Tune in and discover:
A history lesson from the golden era of baseball card dominance
The turning point that changed the hobby forever
How to stop feeling overwhelmed and start collecting with purpose
Why specializing can help collectors and dealers thrive
What Joe’s current collecting niche is—and why it brings him joy

Episode 36: What 10,000 Cards a Month Looks Like (From the Inside)

Ever wonder what really goes on behind the scenes at one of the busiest sports card shops in the country? In this insider-packed episode, host Joe Davis peels back the curtain and gives listeners a rare look into the daily grind—and hidden treasures—of his Loganville, GA card shop.
From grading madness (think 17 million cards a year) to epic collection digs, Joe shares what’s hot, what’s moving, and how his team is revolutionizing the in-store experience with fresh inventory and old-school hobby fun. He even drops hints about the National, big consignment wins, and a few major expansions into coins and comics you won’t want to miss.
Bonus: Want to know how many boxes it takes to fill 600 square feet of show space? Joe's figuring it out—and he’s taking you along for the ride.
Whether you're a collector, seller, or just hobby-curious, this episode is a goldmine of insight, inspiration, and yes, a bit of Joe’s classic heart and hustle. Hit play—you’ll want in on what’s coming next.

Episode 35: Why Championships Matter

In this special NBA-focused episode of Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe, Joe dives deep into the relationship between championship success and sports card value—and why winning matters more than ever in the hobby.
With the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrating their first-ever NBA title and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander etching his name in history as both league and Finals MVP, Joe explores how playoff performance can instantly shift the landscape of player popularity and card prices.
From Cooper Flagg’s #1 overall pick to a nostalgic rewatch of The Last Dance, Joe unpacks the synergy of recent NBA events and timeless collecting wisdom. He compares legends like Bill Russell (11 rings) to modern-day greats like LeBron, Curry, and Shaq, and reveals three undervalued champions whose cards might be hobby goldmines—Steve Kerr, Shaquille O’Neal, and Dwyane Wade.
Listeners will walk away with:
A collector’s lens on why rings elevate card value across sports
Insights into NBA history’s most decorated champions
Market predictions for rising stars and overlooked legends
Sharp advice on what to consider before your next big card investment
Whether you're a collector, investor, or basketball junkie, this episode offers a fresh perspective on the power of winning—and how to spot your next card market breakout.
Share your thoughts with Joe by emailing heyjoedavis@gmail.com.Episode sponsored by GotBaseballCards – Consign now for The National!

Episode 34: 1970s Baseball Rookies Top 10 List

In this nostalgic and knowledge-packed episode of Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe, host Joe Davis returns to the mic with a countdown that’s sure to stir up opinions: the Top 10 Baseball Rookie Cards of the 1970s. From iconic Hall of Famers to underrated gems, Joe reveals which cards made the cut—not just based on value, but on impact, collectability, and long-term hobby relevance.
You’ll hear about the standout careers that shaped the decade, why certain beloved players just missed the top 10 (including a personal favorite), and what sets cards like the 1973 Mike Schmidt and 1975 George Brett apart. Joe also shares cautionary advice for modern collectors chasing today’s prospects, offering timeless insight on why vintage still holds powerful value.
Whether you’re a longtime collector or new to the hobby, this episode delivers sharp takes, hobby history, and plenty of heart.
Tune in and discover which rookie cards from the '70s deserve a place in your collection—and why smart collecting always starts with perspective.

Episode 33: Why Do We Collect? (With Taylor Pruitt)

In this special episode of Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe, Taylor steps in for Joe and takes listeners on a thoughtful, nostalgic, and slightly quirky deep dive into one central question: Why do we collect?
Taylor reflects on his own collecting journey, beginning at age five with Topps baseball cards from his grandparents after Little League games. His childhood idol, Chipper Jones (specifically “baby-faced Chipper”), becomes the symbolic heart of his collection, and this nostalgia fuels a broader conversation about the psychology and emotional depth behind why we collect the things we do.
The episode explores:
The psychology of collecting
Historical examples of collecting
The emotional power of nostalgia
The real reason most collectors stay in the hobby
Taylor also challenges listeners to ask deeper questions—not just what someone collects, but why. Whether it’s baby-faced Chipper, Pez dispensers, or Squishmallows, every collection tells a story.