Reasons for "A" grade?

[jjbond]

I've been avoiding getting "A" grades in my collection. But for this card, I couldn't turn it down, as I hadn't stumbled across it in any higher grades.

So, any suggestions as to what's wrong with this card? Trimming? I had hoped that SGC might give more info, but perhaps back in 2015 they didn't usually do this?

[JollyElm]

For an eye investigation, you're going to have to post larger, clearer pics for the experts here to have a better chance of an accurate assessment.

[jjbond]

Oh thanks! I've never been good at this, so I usually go by what the "professionals" grade things as, so I try to stay above a 1.5 in my collection
Figure this will be a placeholder for quite a while...

[raulus]

4 most common reasons that come to mind for an A grade are:

1) Trimming
2) Missing big chunks of the card / paper loss / pin holes
3) Recoloring
4) Somebody really messed with it, by say lacquering it or laminating it. Or putting tape or glue on it!

Not sure if any or all of them come into play here, but #1 and #3 seem like the most likely culprits in this case.

[2dueces]

The bat ear on the top right is most telling.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by 2dueces

The bat ear on the top right is most telling.

I'd say even more on the top left corner. Look at that sharpness and curvature on the left border. Trim city.