Horacio Ruiz

Joined: Sep 3, 2024

News

Fractional Investing in Sports Cards Has Been A Failure

Aug 28, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Inside the Hobby

Paul Skenes and the Consequences of the MLB Debut Patch Card

Nov 3, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) celebrates after scoring a 2nd half touchdown against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Inside the Hobby

Daniel Jones Is Finished in New York; His Rookie Cards are Cratering But It Could Be a Good Thing

The etching, \"Self Portrait in a Flat Cap and Embroidered Dress,\" by Rembrandt circa 1642 as it appeared in the 2003 eBay listing.

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eBay and Balenciaga Partner to Sell a Cap for $495

Rob's Loaded Bases is a Manalapan-based sports card and Pok mon shop that opened in March 2021. Manalapan, NJThursday, January 26, 2023

Rob S Loaded Bases

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Grown Men Risking It All for Pokemon Cards

The newly-released Pokemon set, Surging Sparks, is one of the hottest products in the trading card game genre. Sadly, Pokemon cards' current spike in popularity has caused some would-be collectors to steal from their local stores.

Nov 6, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Dylan Harper (2) reacts after making a three point basket during the first half against the Wagner Seahawks at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

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Dylan Harper's Debut Sneakers to Appear On Jumbo 1/1 Bowman U Card

Top-rated Rutgers point guard Dylan Harper will have quite the card coming out in a few weeks. Part of the Nike sneakers from his regular-season collegiate debut will be inserted in a Bowman U Now 1/1 Jumbo Patch card.

Aug 8, 2024; Paris, France; American businessman Michael Rubin looks on during the first half between France and Germany in a men's basketball semifinal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Inside the Hobby

Follow the Advice of Hobby Influencers?

Influencers in the sports card industry vary in scope. Some influencers focus on product releases, others on vintage cards, and some act as watchdogs for the industry. Consuming sports card content is a good way to stay up-to-date, but be careful.

Oct 26, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) hits a solo home run in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game two of the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Inside the Hobby

Juan Soto Is Driving a Free Agency Frenzy - Just Like His Record-Breaking Rookie Card

Juan Soto is said to be courted by as many as seven teams, headlining this year's free agency class. His popularity has transferred into The Hobby, with one of the most-graded rookie cards ever.

Oct 31, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts to a play against the Utah Jazz during the third quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

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Victor Wembanyama's Panini Prizm Rookie Card Setting Grading Records

Wembanyama's rookie card was the talk of The Hobby because it was the young superstar's first licensed rookie card. It also featured the infamous curtains in the background. A little more than one year later, it is one of the most-graded cards ever.

Aug 3, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; The plaque for Minnesota Twins former player Joe Mauer from his recent induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame rests on the field for a ceremony before a game against the Chicago White Sox at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

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Baseball Hall of Fame Loads Up on World Series Artifacts

The National Baseball Hall of Fame has taken equipment from the Los Angeles Dodgers to be preserved in Cooperstown.

Sep 15, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (22) reacts after a play during the first quarter against the Washington Commanders at Commanders Field. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Inside the Hobby

Card Collector, New York Giants Rookie Dru Phillips, A Rising Star for the G-Men

Andru (Dru) Phillips, a third-round pick from Kentucky, is having a stellar rookie campaign. He heads into a Week 8 Monday Night Football matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers who rank 28th in passing yards per game.

Boise State Beach Volleyball Player Nora Hayd

Inside the Hobby

Nora Hayd, the "Gothlete" Beach Volleyball Player, Inspiring Others to Be Themselves

Nora Hayd has gone viral for what some would consider unconventional team pictures. But the visual arts major is using her platform to express herself and it has opened multiple NIL opportunities.

Oct 11, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) reacts in the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres during game five of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Is Dave Roberts a Future Hall of Famer? A Look At His Career and Rookie Cards

The Dodgers manager is one win away from winning a second World Series title. With a historically high win percentage and another World Series title, Roberts would become the 24th manager in history to win multiple titles.

Oct 17, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) makes a save against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

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A Look At Sergei Bobrovsky Rookie Cards After the Goaltender Reaches 400 Wins

Sergei Bobrovsky became the 14th goaltender in the history of the National Hockey League to win 400 games. With a Stanley Cup triumph and as the quickest goalie ever to reach 400 wins, it's worth taking a look at Bobrovsky's rookie cards.

Livonia resident Matt Fournier checks out his 1982 Topps baseball card collection he started collecting 40 years ago. Fournier recently completed the set in its entirety with the purchase of this Topps card of the Kansas City Royals' batting and pitching leaders (George Brett, 3.14 batting avg., and Larry Gura 2.72 ERA).

Mattfournier2

Inside the Hobby

Should I Clean My Sports Cards?

Card cleaning companies like Kurt's Card Care have brought card cleaning to the mainstream. But should you clean your cards and what are the ethics involved?

Oct 13, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (18) reacts to throwing a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

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Essential Rookie Cards of New Orleans Saints Quarterback Spencer Rattler

The rookie gets his second start of the season on Thursday night, just four days after the first start of his career on Sunday. The market is reacting to Rattler's ascension to the starting job.