Because if you want to get the card out of the top loader, its easier to take a tweezer and get ahold of the sleeve, not get oils from your fingers on it.... because the older a card gets the drier it gets...like a sponge...even on the edges...it's the standard of "taking care" of your cards, your investment, and it says a lot about the current owner...be apprehensive if you don't see a card in a sleeve .....just fyi...the science of collecting has come a long way since we were kids.