If this dude can stay healthy and just hit somewhere close to league average...

SGC probably have my least favorite slab design structurally. I tend to see them getting cracks that spider out on the edge. Now maybe I’m looking at a slab that has actually been manipulated but I’m talking about smaller cracks that wouldn’t lead me to believe that.

I like how SGC holds the cards and stickers inside with the black plastic so I don’t think they should change much about that. I simply believe that if SGC had a slab structure similar to CGC, they would increase their monthly submissions.

Right now I’d rank my slab preference;

1) BGS —— bulky, sturdy, thick

2) CGC —— curved corners, smooth edges

3) PSA —— sleek, stackable, currently liquid standard

4) SGC —— cracks, holds items well

5) TAG—— innovative, clear, cool lettering, AI

6) GMA—— label design

Ken Griffey Jr.’s 2000 season marked the beginning of a new chapter—and it came with both excitement and adjustment.

After a decade with the Seattle Mariners, Griffey was traded to the Cincinnati Reds, fulfilling a desire to play closer to home. The move brought huge expectations, as fans hoped “The Kid” would continue his dominance in the National League.

The season in short

Griffey’s numbers were still strong:

• .271 batting average

• 40 home runs

• 118 RBIs

• 100 runs scored

He made an immediate impact, reaching the 40-homer mark for the sixth time in his career, proving his power translated leagues.

Adjustments and challenges

While the power remained elite, 2000 also hinted at changes:

• His batting average dipped compared to his peak Seattle years

• Strikeouts were high (career-high at the time)

• He was adapting to new pitchers, parks, and pressure

It wasn’t quite the effortless dominance fans were used to in the 90s, but he was still one of the most feared hitters in baseball.

Big picture

The 2000 season is often remembered as:

• A successful but transitional year

• The last season Griffey would play 140+ games until later in his career

• The start of a period where injuries would begin to impact his consistency

Even so, a 40-HR, 118-RBI season would be a career year for most players—just not by Griffey’s incredibly high standard.

I know there’s speculation into slabs being cracked, replaced, and resealed in the market but sometimes the slabs just get dinged up.

Some of the Japanese slabs I get will have some cracks but they are usually pretty hard to find to begin with so I tend to trust that nothing has been tampered with. Am I supposed to trust my intuition or should I be having these reslabbed?

Just curious what others think and if people have been getting those gem PSA stickers when reslabbing 💎