The baseball card hobby is expensive. Since many collectors are already spending thousands of dollars, it makes sense to target cards with a strong chance to appreciate over time. Successfully “hunting” and acquiring blue-chip cards with long-term upside will make hobby dollars go much farther than buying hobby boxes.

Traditional set collecting has become less common in today’s hobby, while player runs and ‘blue-chip’ card hunting have surged in popularity. This signed Mickey Mantle player run is one example of how many vintage collectors now focus heavily on iconic players and long-term cornerstone cards. | 5DSportsDisplays' Instagram

While 'pure collectors' will often argue that the hobby has become too focused on flipping and financial gain, the line between collecting and investing is often blurred.…