About Me - Todd - The Card Grading King

About Me: The Card Grading King

Hey there—I’m Todd, a proud Gen X kid who caught the baseball card bug back in 1985 and 1986. Like many of you, I’ve got a soft spot for the classics. Ask me to pick a favorite set and I’ll struggle, but the “big three” from '86—Topps, Donruss, and Fleer—will always have a special place in my heart. And for whatever reason, I totally geek out over 1986 Fleer. No apologies.

Another oddball favorite? 1981 Donruss. Some call it the ugliest set of all time. Maybe it is. I still love it.  Sometimes things are so bad, they're good.  '81 Donruss is just that...

My collecting habits have come and gone over the years depending on where life took me, but my passion for the hobby never disappeared. I’ve always been a Padres fan (lifelong and loyal), though I’ve got love for the Yankees, Giants, and A’s too. My hometown team? The Angels—yeah, I know. But hey, they’re local.

By trade, I’m a long-time entrepreneur and a recovering attorney. But at heart, I’m a full-time baseball card geek. If I had it my way, I’d spend every day with my family and my cards—though the order of importance depends on who you ask.

Things really ramped up for me in 2022. That’s when I dove deep—deeper than ever—into the hobby. Since then, I’ve poured serious time (and let’s be honest, money) into buying, sorting, collating, grading, and even tossing cards that didn’t make the cut.

Through it all, I started designing tools to help myself evaluate cards more accurately and stay organized. That’s how the Gem10 brand was born—tools and resources made by a collector, for collectors, with the goal of making the card grading journey easier, smarter, and more rewarding.

I’m also a self-taught audio/video nerd. I’ve built home studios and combined that passion with my entrepreneurial background to bring content to fellow collectors. Whether you’re just getting started or already chasing Gem Mint 10s, I want to help you:

  • Know what to buy

  • Learn how to handle and grade it

  • Avoid costly mistakes

  • And make smart financial and collecting decisions

Everything I’ve learned—and continue to learn—I want to share with you.

That’s why I created The Card Grading King.  That's my place to share with you my journey - and for you to share yours, as well.

I may not know everything (yet), but I guarantee I’ve put in the hours. I’ve built this platform—from YouTube to TikTok and Instagram, with a podcast on the way—to help fellow hobbyists navigate the ever-changing world of card grading and collecting.

Thanks for being here. Stick around. Let’s level up together—one perfectly centered card at a time.