What Is the Hobby Score?
TheHobbyScore.com started with a simple goal: put every important rookie card for a player on one page,
with the research right in front of you. As the site grew, I realized something — once you have multiple
rookies per player, you need a consistent way to compare them.
That’s why I created the Hobby Score: a single score built from four categories that matter most
to collectors.
How the Hobby Score Works
The Hobby Score is designed to be simple, consistent, and useful. It doesn’t try to predict the market perfectly — it helps you compare cards using the same framework every time.
Career success & performance
A score based on what the player actually did on the field/court. Championships, awards, longevity, dominance, and overall legacy all matter here.
How important the card is to collectors
Some rookie cards matter more than others — even for the same player. This category reflects hobby demand, iconic status, set importance, and “this is the card” type of collector behavior.
Population-based scoring
The rarity score is determined from a pop-count chart: whatever the graded population is, the card earns the corresponding score on that chart. Lower pop → higher score.
Likeability, scandals, market size
How easy is the player to market? This includes likability, controversy/scandals, and a big factor collectors often ignore: market size (and whether a player stayed with one team or bounced around).
Bottom line: The Hobby Score is a consistent way to compare rookie cards — and the site backs it up with pop counts, research links, badges, accomplishments, and a short blurb so you can understand why a card matters.
What You’ll Find on TheHobbyScore
The goal is simple: put the important rookie cards for a player in one place, with the research and context displayed clearly — not scattered across ten tabs.
Pop counts at a glance
Each card includes PSA population numbers so you can quickly understand scarcity across grades.
Extra research, one click
Pages include pricing and research links to PSA and Card Ladder so you can verify data and go deeper.
Instant “why it matters” signals
Badges highlight what makes a card special — hobby significance, rarity thresholds, player greatness, and other standout traits.
Context, not just numbers
Each page includes key accomplishments and a collector-focused blurb so the cards have a story, not just a score.
What the Hobby Score Is (and Isn’t)
It is: a consistent framework for comparing cards across players and sets.
It isn’t: a perfect price prediction tool or a guarantee of future value.