Trading Card Blog
Guides, grading tips, and collector advice from the PokePitchShop team.
sports
2026-10-23'90s Hall of Fame Slabs: Brett Hull, Gary Payton, Frank Thomas & Randy Moss
Fresh '90s Hall of Famer slabs in the shop — Brett Hull PSA 10s, a Gary Payton Finest Gold, Frank Thomas Gold Rush, and a Randy Moss Bowman Chrome rookie — plus what makes each one tough.
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sports
2026-10-23Baltimore Orioles Cards: From Cal Ripken Jr. to Jackson Holliday
New Orioles slabs in the shop — Cal Ripken Jr. gem mints from the early '90s plus Colton Cowser autos and a Jackson Holliday rookie insert, and what to look for in each.
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sports
2026-10-23New Rookie Slabs: Cal Raleigh, Victor Wembanyama, Bo Bichette & Nolan Gorman
Just-listed graded rookie cards — Cal Raleigh Topps Chrome and Rated Rookie, a Wembanyama Optic Rated Rookie, Bo Bichette Chrome refractor, and Nolan Gorman — and how to tell rookie cards apart.
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general
2026-10-21How to Grade a Card: Prep Checklist Before PSA or BGS
Pre-grade your Pokemon, sports, or MTG cards at home before submitting to PSA or BGS. Check centering, corners, edges, and surface, then pack cards so they arrive safely.
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general
2026-10-21How to Store & Protect Trading Cards (Long-Term Care)
How to store Pokemon, sports, and MTG cards so they keep their condition and value: sleeves, toploaders, binders, storage boxes, and the humidity, light, and heat to avoid.
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pokemon
2026-10-21Vintage vs Modern Pokemon: Where Collectors Put Their Money
Vintage WOTC Pokemon cards vs modern Scarlet & Violet era chase cards: supply, grading, risk, and how to decide where your collecting budget goes.
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mtg
2026-10-16Commander Staples: MTG Singles Worth Picking Up
Mana rocks, ramp, and utility cards that belong in more Commander decks — and why buying singles beats cracking packs when you are upgrading a deck.
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sports
2026-10-16Elly De La Cruz Cards: A Collector's Guide to Bowman, Topps Update & Chrome
Which Elly De La Cruz cards to buy — Bowman Draft Chrome prospects vs Topps rookie cards, numbered parallels, and when a PSA 10 is worth the premium.
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sports
2026-10-16Lewis Hamilton Topps F1 Cards: Parallels, Serial Numbers & What to Buy
A collector's guide to Lewis Hamilton Topps Formula 1 and Topps Chrome F1 cards — how refractors and numbered parallels work, PSA 9 vs PSA 10, and building a rainbow.
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general
2026-07-02Raw vs Graded Trading Cards: When to Buy Each
Raw vs graded Pokemon, sports, and MTG cards — cost, risk, resale, and when a PSA or BGS slab is worth the premium. Plus links to live graded inventory.
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pokemon
2026-06-28How Much Is a Charizard Worth? (2026 Value Guide)
Charizard card values explained — Base Set holos, modern chase cards, PSA 10 premiums, and what drives price. Plus where to shop live Charizard listings.
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general
2026-06-14How to Spot Fake Trading Cards
Learn the red flags that separate authentic trading cards from counterfeits — whether you collect Pokemon, sports, or MTG.
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general
2026-06-10PSA vs BGS: Which Grading Service Is Better?
Compare PSA and BGS grading for Pokemon and sports cards — turnaround, resale value, subgrades, and when each service makes sense.
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general
2026-06-05What We Carry at PokePitchShop
An overview of PokePitchShop inventory — Pokemon TCG, sports cards, Magic: The Gathering, and how our live eBay catalog works.
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