Dr. James Beckett: Sports Card Insights

554A - Out-Takes with Andy Friedman, Topps Spotlight 70

04 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Andy and I continued our wide-ranging conversation, about the hobby and other tangential considerations that might surprise you.  Thanks again, Andy,...

554 - Andy Friedman, Topps Spotlight 70

03 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Andy (accomplished artist, writer, musician) describes the artistic freedom given him by Topps in approaching and executing his 70-year retrospective ...

553 - Content Convo 2: Future of Manufacturers

02 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Our group of hobby content creators discussed the future of card manufacturers and how we think the recent Fanatics news might affect them and others ...

552 - Content Convo 2: Intros and Stickiness

01 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The hobby content creators dinner at the Watters Creek show on Saturday Aug 28th immediately after the show - here are the self intros of the attendee...

551 - Basketball Dueling Questions with Adam Gray, Basketball Card Fanatic

31 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Basketball questions only for this dueling questions battle with Adam Gray.  Any ideas you have for episode topics - send to doctorjamesbeckett@gmail...

550 - Dueling Questions with Nat Turner, PSA, Part 2

30 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The rest of the questions from Nat and to Nat about our great hobby and how we see it and have seen it in our experiences.

549B - Six Listener Questions 7.0

28 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Another six listener questions on a variety of hobby subjects - lots of big happenings these days - exciting to be in the greatest hobby in the world....

549A - Out-Takes on Collecting Activities from Breaking Cardboard

28 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

John (Sports Card Nation) and Corey (YamWax) both asked me some penetrating questions about how I and others collect or have collected over the decade...

549 - Out-Takes on Legacy Stories from Breaking Cardboard

27 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

John Newman's new monthly live show debuted with Corey of YamWax as co-host and myself as guest - we had a great time talking hobby for an hour - here...

548 - Basketball Dueling Questions with Kyle, Wax Museum

26 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kyle's Wax Museum podcast is one of my favorite regular listens - here Kyle and I bounce basketball hobby questions off each other.

547 - Interview: Bob Brill, with Rich Klein

25 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Bob Brill's Brill Report was a must-read back in the 1990's, plus Bob did so many other innovative things in the organized hobby - we hear directly fr...

546 - Dan Ertle, CBCS

24 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dan Ertle shares his (non-sport and comic book) collecting story and how CBCS has blended into the outstanding Beckett Media team of graders and authe...

545 - Dueling Questions with Nat Turner, PSA

23 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Questions to and from Nat Turner, collector extraordinaire, and owner/CEO of PSA/Collectors Universe.

544C - Out-Takes on Fanatics from Hobby Hotline 082121

22 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Fanatics will be taking over for Topps in 2025 as the sole licensee for the  baseball card category.  This morning on Hobby Hotline I was joined by ...

544B - Five Listener Questions 2.0

21 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Five different and new questions from listeners accumulated and answered - send your questions to [email protected] and thanks!

544A - Out-Takes from Adam Gray, Basketball Card Fanatic

21 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

These are remarks coming before and after our scheduled Basketball Dueling Questions episode (to be released shortly), which I thought were worthy of ...

544 - Topps Out in 2025?

20 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Huge bombshell news that Fanatics will be taking over the baseball card license from Topps in 2025 as a joint venture with MLB and MLBPA.  Major impl...

543 - Then and Now: PR, with Rich Klein

19 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I talk about our experiences with public relations within and outside the hobby, especially our days working together at Beckett Publications...

542 - Out-Takes from Sports Cards Live 072421

18 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I was Jeremy Lee's guest on the first hour or so of Sports Cards Live the week before the National - this is 14 minutes excerpted from that longer liv...

541 - Out-Takes from For The Hobby with Jordan Hagedorn

17 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jordan interviewed me for his "For The Hobby" podcast and here is a brief excerpt form his longer interview, which can be caught in its entirety by hi...

540 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 519-538

16 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A brief recap of the past four weeks of short daily audio episodes in case you missed some - each episode stands on its own and hopefully most are eve...

539B - Tribute: Rich Altman, Hollywood Collectibles

14 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sad to report dealer Rich Altman, mainstay of the sports card show circuit, including promoting his own large shows, has passed away.  This brief tri...

539A - Rejoinder: Mortality Dueling Questions

14 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As soon as Brad and I signed off, I realized we had not addressed some concerns that were worth adding to the discussion on this timely topic for baby...

539 - Mortality Dueling Questions with Brad Askew

13 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The first Dueling Questions on this topic - Brad and I have had time to reflect since our last conversation and each of us has additional thoughts to ...

538 - Out-Takes from Stacking Slabs with Brett McGrath

12 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Brett asked some excellent questions during his longer Stacking Slabs interview of me - here are two threads I thought I would pass on to you but I ce...

537 - COMC Hacks with Mike Sommer, Part 3

11 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is the third and final installment of our conversation about COMC and its nuances.  Hope you have learned something helpful.

536 - 1974 and 1975 Topps Baseball, with Rich Klein

10 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I compare and contrast these two popular Topps baseball card products - we mostly agree!

535 - IRS Considerations with John Keating

09 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Anyone with a side gig should know some basic do's and don't's as applies to doing your Federal income tax return, where documenting basis and expense...

534B - NSCC National Aftermath: Logistics

07 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The show was terrific - extremely crowded - and ran smoothly for me - the dinners were festive - but my airport experiences were another story.

534A - NSCC National Aftermath: Cards

07 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A recap of my experience at this year's National in Chicago, arguably the best ever with people and cards galore.

534 - COMC Hacks with Mike Sommer, Part 2

06 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mike and I went back and forth with a few more suggestions of how users can optimize the COMC platform for more profit and enjoyment.

533 - Starting an LCS with Jordan Hagedorn

05 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jordan is planning the opening of his new "For The Hobby" local card shop in Eau Claire, Wisconsin for later this fall.

532 - Speed Sorting

04 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I reveal some of my (long-honed over the decades considering hundreds of thousands of cards) speed sorting tips - no copyright, no trademark, no paten...

531 - COMC Hacks with Mike Sommer, Wax Pack Hero

03 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mike and I sit down for a discussion of how to get the most out of the COMC experience for buyers and sellers and flippers.

530 - 1988-90 Topps Big Baseball, with Rich Klein

02 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What was Topps thinking with this three-year run of slightly oversized veteran-centric baseball cards?  Rich and I try to reverse engineer their thin...

529B - Out-Takes from Hobby Hotline 072421

31 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hobby Hotline, the live call in show ranged over a variety of topics in this episode, which aired the week before the National; my co-hosts were Rich ...

529A - Tribute: Fred Reed, BP VP

31 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Fred Reed brought editorial structure to Beckett Publications at the onset and during the high growth years.  His legacy includes the amazing people ...

529 - Keating Questions with John Keating

30 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

John Keating had enough interesting hobby questions that we made a whole episode out of our dialogue.

528 - Dueling Questions with Jordan Hagedorn, For the Hobby

29 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Irrepressible Jordan Hagedorn returns with some interesting questions and answers for this Dueling Questions segment.

527 - Out-Takes on Grading from Pack to the Future

28 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tim, Chad, and Ricky were joined by John Newman for this special HobbyPalooza edition of Pack to the Future.  I joined in for the last half and here ...

526 - Final National Prep

27 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I am leaving tomorrow - here are my last minute thoughts on how I am preparing differently than any other prior year - see you there!

525 - Tribute: Audre, Eddie, and Steve Gold, AU Sports, with Rich Klein

26 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Long-time National dealers and card shop owners, the Gold family from the Chicago area, have passed but are not forgotten - an amazing family - Rich a...

524B - Giannis Antetokounmpo, Superstar

24 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Giannis' performance throughout the NBA playoffs and culminating in his break-through performance in the final game 6 have moved him up another layer ...

524A - Joe Orlando, PSA

24 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Joe Orlando, CEO of PSA's parent Collectors Universe, resigned last week after 22 years with the company.  This is my take on that decision and its i...

524 - Football Dueling Questions, with David Lee

23 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The first time for this format of "topical" dueling questions with football expert David Lee - our first questions overlapped!

523 - Out-Takes from Bernard Nomberg's Facebook Live

22 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Bernard co-moderates a Facebook sports card group and I enjoyed their live session - here are a few excerpts.  Thanks Bernard!

522 - Out-Takes on The National from Hobby Hotline 071021

21 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For this month's appearance on Hobby Hotline, I was joined by nine of the other co-hosts for a special edition in honor of the annual HobbyPalooza, wh...

521 - Out-Takes on the National from Hobby Hotline 062621

20 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Several interesting "what if's" about the upcoming National in Chicago are posed to my fellow co-hosts at Hobby Hotline, Jeremy Lee and Jeff Defness45...

520 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 499-518

19 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A brief recap of the past four weeks of daily audio episodes in case you missed some or are just a little curious.  Thanks for listening!

519B - Out-Takes on Sustainability from the Virtual Expo

17 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I was on a distinguished panel for the Virtual Expo along with moderator Jeremy Lee and Karvin Cheung and Chris McGill discussing the sustainability o...

519A - Five Listener Questions

17 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The most recent five questions coming in from listeners - send your questions to [email protected] and I hope to address your concern quic...

519 - Dueling Questions 2.0 with Jay Swartz

16 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jay and I go another round of friendly questions about the "hobby" we both love.  In fact is it still a hobby?

518 - Preparing for the National with Brad Askew

15 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Brad made a list so he can be fully prepared for a fabulous National this year in Chicago - I compared his list to mine for your listening benefit.

517 - David Lee's On-Line Seven-Hour Course

14 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

David unpacks his seven-hour virtual course covering what it takes to be successful in this complicated hobby.

516 - Combo Cards with Rich Klein

13 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I discuss the long, storied history of combo (combination) cards featuring two or more players linked together by some connection.

515 - Interview: Kyle Robertson, dallascardshow.com

12 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kyle's Dallas shows have been the biggest over the past twelve months - we hear Kyle's philosophies and why his show have emerged as the standard in t...

514B - Teach Us to Grade?

10 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Would the grading companies consider having a formal grading seminar where they taught their customers how to grade like they do?

514A - What If: Stagnant Prices?

10 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What if prices in the hobby stayed the same for an extended period of time?  How would various sports card hobby entities be affected?

514 - Hobby CEO Challenges, with Rich Klein

09 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Rich has some question about some of the past difficult management dilemmas over the years and how they relate to today's leaders in this en fuego mar...

513 - Show Table Optimization with Ron and Rhett Palmer

08 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

One of the local dealer tables I frequent has been the Palmers - so I wanted them to share how they do it - it works for me, but obviously it is also ...

512 - Dueling Questions with Jay Swartz

07 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jay and I, both former professors, go back and forth with (practical rather than scholarly) questions and answers.

511 - Dueling Questions with Brett McGrath, Stacking Slabs

06 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Brett and I traded extemporaneous questions (and answers) about the sports card hobby for 15 minutes - every DQ is unrehearsed and different! 

510 - Dueling Questions with Mike Moynihan, Golden Age of Cardboard

05 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mike and I went back and forth with our provocative questions with an emphasis on vintage baseball, which we both love.

509C - Collectors Holdings LP's Acquisition of Goldin Auctions

03 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Collectors Holdings LP, fresh from the acquisition of Collector's Universe and PSA, has now acquired Goldin Auctions, with the stated intention of kee...

509B - Blackstone's Acquisition of CCG, Parent of CSG

03 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Blackstone ($650 billion  strong) has acquired a controlling interest in CCG at a reported valuation of more than $500 million - CCG until last year ...

509A - Impact of NIL (Name Image Likeness)

03 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

July 1 marked the beginning of a new era in college athlete's potential financial opportunities - how will this impact the sports collectibles world? ...

509 - Origin: David Lee, CoachDavidLee.com

02 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

David shares his origin story including his time at Beckett and onward with his free-lance career helping others inside and outside the sports card ho...

508 - John Broggi, National Sports Collectors Convention, with Rich Klein

01 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

John Broggi and his sons share their optimism for this year's National in Chicago - we hope their expectations are exceeded!

507 - Interview: Dr. Eric Strachan, Research Psychologist, Part 2

30 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The second part of my in-depth interview of Dr. Eric Strachan about our hobby and psychological constructs - although with a psychologist the question...

506 - Out-Takes with John Newman, Sports Card Nation

29 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

John had me as a guest on his excellent show (Sport Card Nation, highly recommended) early this month and asked me many interesting questions - here a...

505 - Origin: Mike Moynihan, Baseball Collector and Golden Age of Cardboard

28 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mike never took a hiatus from this great hobby which is the exception - he enjoys the hobby, especially vintage baseball, delights in showing his grea...

504B - Out-Takes from Golden Age of Cardboard with Mike Moynihan

26 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mike interviewed me on his excellent show (highly recommended) and we enjoyed the conversation, as we both love vintage baseball and have been around ...

504A - Six Listener Questions 6.0

26 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Six more listener questions from various platforms and venues - send your questions to [email protected] and thanks!

504 - Impeached from the Hall of Fame?

25 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What would it take to get impeached from any of the Halls of Fame - how could it even happen and how might that affect sports card values?

503 - Out-Takes from Go GTS Live with Rob Bertrand and Ivan Lovegren

24 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I was featured on an interview segment of Rob and Ivan's excellent show - listen to the whole two hours - but in case you don't, here's ten minutes of...

502 - Father/Son: Ron and Rhett Palmer

23 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ron and Rhett are mainstays on the Dallas card show scene working their diverse inventory - truly something for everyone - and great customer service....

501 - Father/Son: Mike and Sam Fruitman

22 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mike and Sam enjoy Denver sports and the hobby - they both, in a sense, have two jobs - both of which sound like a lot of fun.  Sam is a locker room ...

500 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 479-498

21 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A brief recap of the past four weeks of our daily episodes - as usual a diverse mix of eclectic sports card hobby topics. 

499B: Father/Son: Palmer and Mike Moynihan, Baseball Collector

19 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Popular YouTuber Mike Moynihan joins in with his dad Palmer and together they explain their collecting gene (and love of baseball) with some great sto...

499A - Grandfather/Father/Son: Barry, John, and Jordan Newman, Part 2

19 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The second half of our Father's Day interview - we were having too much fun to stop considering three generations - a lot of laughter about the world'...

499 - Grandfather/Father/Son: Barry, John, and Jordan Newman

18 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sports Card Nation podcaster John Newman guests along with his dad and his son for an episode of all things Newman - hobby is the people - an enjoyabl...

498 - Father/Son: Bill and Ricky Huggins, Huggins and Scott Auctions

17 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Long-time auction house Huggins and Scott has a unique approach - Bill and his son Ricky have enjoyed the ride together over the decades.

497 - Father/Sons: John, John Jr., and Jeff Broggi

16 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Rich Klein joins me as we interview the Broggi's on their sports card hobby involvement and leadership and experience together. 

496 - Fathers/Sons: Brittons and Mills

15 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Britton and son Ryan and Brandon Mills and son Jackson share their hobby stories in father and son sports card collecting including their fami...

495 - Origin: Jay Swartz

14 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jay discusses the wild ride he has had in his hobby journey recovering from a devastating theft, but now riding high, as he has applied his professori...

494B - Out-Takes on Lud Denny with Bill Chandler, Hawaii Pro Bowl

12 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

More discussion of a fallen comrade who had a huge impact on our hobby thirty years ago - literally trying to bring his cards into every home!

494A - Out-Takes on Retail from Hobby Hotline 052921

12 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Brad Bethune and Rich Klein joined me in a discussion of retail - this was a small part of the hour-long live show, that you should check out.

494 - Tribute: Lud Denny with Bill Chandler, Hawaii Pro Bowl

11 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Bill and I (with Mike Conroy contributing in the background) discuss the meteoric rise and fall of Lud Denny and his huge impact, marketing wise,  on...

493 - Interview: Dr. Eric Strachan, Research Psychologist

10 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Eric looks at our hobby through the lens of a research psychologist and he questions what's going on with grading and how to make sense of that. 

492 - Origin: Brett McGrath, Stacking Slabs

09 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We listen to fellow podcaster Brett McGrath's sports card hobby journey as well as his vocational journey.

491 - Origin: Mike Steveline

08 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mike brought his passion for collecting baseball cards and his technical expertise to the Baseball Card Hall of Fame in simplifying its voting structu...

490 - Stepped Up Basis Considerations with Eddie Healy

07 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Stepped Up basis may be eliminated by the Congress, which would affect hobby generational wealth transfer in a big way.

489B - Instagram Questions

05 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

An accumulation of related questions and themes from Instagram on how I do hobby - spoiler alert - I am not typical.

489A - Out-Takes on Shows from Hobby Hotline 052921

05 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Co-Hosts Brad Bethune (TX Card Dude), Rich Klein, and I fielded questions from this live Saturday morning hobby show about shows, old and recent.

489 - Origin: Ray Fonio aka Ray from Philly

04 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ray shares his baseball card collecting journey - leading him all the way to the founding of the Baseball Card Hall of Fame.

488 - Content Convo: Sustainable Growth

03 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How do we maintain momentum and continue to sustain the remarkable recent growth in our great hobby?

487 - Content Convo: Conflicts of Interest

02 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Conflicts of interest in the sports card industry may not be illegal but they can be destructive to the long term health of the hobby if too many new ...

486 - Content Convo: Motivation and Consistency

01 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The distinguished panelists at the dinner in late May in Dallas had suggestions for how they maintain motivation and consistency in the delivery of th...

485 - Collecting Baltimore with Eddie Healy

31 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Eddie and I tout the benefit of collecting the popular players from your schools or area - a great focus allowing for every budget.

484B - Content Convo: Transparency

29 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The question of transparency - too little or even too much - came up in our group discussion - lots of expert voices chiming in.