Dr. James Beckett: Sports Card Insights
Episodes
446 - Returning to Golf vs. Sports Cards, with Frank Guastella
06 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Golf professional Frank Guastella and I compare and contrast returning to playing golf after a long hiatus, with returning to sports cards collecting ...
445 - Dueling Questions with Joe Davis, Got Baseball Cards
05 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A Dueling Questions episode with Joe's first question to me being about PSA's latest shocking news with regard to their backlog, and how it will be pr...
444B - 2021 Basketball Hall of Fame Finalists
03 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
There are 14 finalists for the Basketball Hall of Fame calass of 2021 - I don't have a vote, but I obviously have an opinion - here are my seven, who ...
444A - Six Listener Questions 2.0
03 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Six fresh new listener-submitted questions - the easiest way is sending email to [email protected] for your question to be considered.
444 - Ethical Dealers 2021, with Joe Davis, Got Baseball Cards
02 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today is Good Friday, and Joe and I discuss how "evangelism", that is, the sharing of "good news" could be applied secularly to this, the greatest hob...
443 - Subgrades
01 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Why does BGS have subgrades explicitly shown on the label? Are all of this past year's new grading company entrants going to survive? And if not, ...
442 - Price Fluctuations
31 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It sure seems that prices are fluctuating faster and faster lately - although mostly up. Why is this happening? Is there a downside?
441- Modern Convo: Selling a Grail
30 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ken Capell invited me and our other distinguished guests (Jason Granet, Jordan Hagedorn, Jeremy Lee and Mike Sommer) to weigh in on his dilemma, of ho...
440 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 419-438
29 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A brief recap of the past four weeks of episodes in case you want a refresher or missed some. Send your suggestions for future episodes to doctorjam...
439B - Tribute: Elgin Baylor
27 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Elgin Baylor was one of the greatest players I ever saw - he has surprisingly few basketball cards to chase, but well worth the pursuit.
439A - Out-Takes on Decisive Judgement from Hobby Hotline 030621
27 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I enjoyed being on Hobby Hotline this month along with John Newman and Rich Klein - and I noticed that the recurrent theme of the week seemed to be th...
439 - Allure of Dollar Boxes, Part 2, with Rich Klein
26 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rich and I continue our discussion, as it seems there was more to the story than what we could fit in our standard episode size. Your ideas for epis...
438 - Allure of Dollar Boxes, Part 1, with Rich Klein
25 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rich and I discuss why we find it enjoyable to work our way through big boxes of random cards at a show knowing all are being offered at the same pric...
437 - Vintage Convo: Guest Questions
24 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Flinn, Frank Guastella, Eddie Healy, Kevin O'Keefe, and Jim Telford took turns asking questions about the vintage sports card collecting hobby w...
436 - Modern Convo: Guest Questions
23 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
At the virtual modern dinner, guests Ken Capell, Jason Granet, Jordan Hagedorn, Jeremy Lee, and Mike Sommer each had a thoughtful question.
435 - Vintage Convo: Vintage in the Future?
22 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Flinn, Frank Guastella, Eddie Healy, Kevin O'Keefe, and Jim Telford join me for an interesting discussion of what vintage may be or even look li...
434B - Aftermath: March Dallas (Watters Creek) Card Show
20 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Looking back at the very successful card show run by Kyle Robertson - 608 tables spread over five "rooms" - the biggest show of the year - and probabl...
434A - Out-Takes on the US Economy and Top Shot with Chris Harris, State Gum
20 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris and I continued our discussion after our dueling questions segment was finished - these are the topics we pursued.
434 - Aftermath: Huggins & Scott March Auction
19 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A reflective look at the latest Huggins & Scott's March Auction with some regret, having been outbid as I slept. Nevertheless this experience has h...
433 - Vintage Convo: Collectable Condition?
18 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Flinn, Frank Guastella, Eddie Healy, Kevin O'Keefe, and Jim Telford join me for a robust discussion of what is considered collectable condition ...
432 - Then And Now: Collecting with Dustin Cooley, Personal Finance Dad
17 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dustin and I compare and contrast collecting today with collecting thirty years ago - most things are better ... way better.
431 - Interview: Rocco Rosato, Part 2
16 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rocco tells us the rest of the story - how he totally lost his vision 15 years ago and yet still enjoys the sports card hobby - availing himself of ad...
430 - Interview: Rocco Rosato, Part 1
15 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rocco shares his early collecting memories in the Bronx and his inclusive loyalties beginning in the 1960's. Your questions: try doctorjamesbeckett@...
429B - Topps Box Battle
13 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Topps baseball boxes are evaluated - and the surprise winner wound up being the most popular in other ways as well, but congrats also to Allen & Ginte...
429A - Modern Convo: The Emotions of World Record Prices
13 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When you hear these world record prices, what is your predominant emotion - perhaps it depends on the quality and stage of your collection? Thanks t...
429 - 1991-95 Fleer Baseball with Chris Harris, Stale Gum
12 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris and I discuss the aesthetic and financial merit of this five-year run of Fleer baseball products.
428 - Vintage Convo: Budgeting
11 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Flinn, Frank Guastella, Eddie Healy, Kevin O'Keefe, and Jim Telford joined me for an enjoyable discussion of budgeting in the vintage sports car...
427 - Origin: Dustin Cooley, Personal Finance Dad
10 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We hear YouTuber Dustin Cooley's sports card collecting origin story and how and why he started his YouTube channel, Personal Finance Dad.
426 - Modern Convo: Intros and Perspectives
09 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The first modern virtual dinner generated some great content. Thanks to excellent panelists: Ken Capell, Jason Granet, Jordan Hagedorn, Jeremy Lee, an...
425 - Dueling Questions: Joe Maddalena, Profiles in History, now Heritage
08 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Joe and I trade industry questions reflecting our combined many decades in the hobby, back and forth.
424B - Panini Box Battle
06 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Panini's recent basketball, football, and racing products are reviewed and compared - my choice surprised even myself.
424A - Out-Takes with Dustin Cooley, Personal Finance Dad
06 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dustin interviewed me for his excellent YouTube show (highly recommended) and these are a few excerpts involving some fresh questions he asked.
424 - Origin: Chris Harris, Stale Gum
05 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We hear Chris Harris' sports, especially baseball, card hobby origin story and why Stale Gum is meaningful to him.
423 - Risk Management with Torsten Bauer
04 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Shaq collector Torsten Bauer, a theoretical nuclear physicist from Germany now works in risk management.
422 - Upper Deck Hockey with Billy Celio
03 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Billy Celio hypothetically breaks down some Upper Deck hockey products including his favorites along with some inside info.
421 - Dueling Questions with David Porter, Panini
02 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
David Porter and I trade questions back and forth about the hobby we both love.
420 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 399-418
01 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A brief synopsis of each of the last four weeks of episodes in case you missed some. Let me know your listening preferences at doctorjamesbeckett@gm...
419B - Huggins & Scott March Auction Preview
27 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A fresh analysis of the emphases in the Huggins & Scott latest auction catalog including what is or is not appealing to me and Rich ... and why.
419A - Out-Takes with Patrick Greenough, Radicards
27 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Much of this is Patrick interviewing me about personal hobby historical situations.
419 - My Industry Summit Talk from 2018
26 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Exactly three years ago I gave a speech at the Beckett Industry Summit held here in Dallas that year on the "then and now" importance of the city and ...
418 - Tribute: Louise Bird, Beckett Customer Service Maven, with Bob Richardson
25 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Louise Bird was a key contributor to the success of Beckett Publications based on her attitude and experience - Bob and I fondly remember her contribu...
417- Origin: Joe Maddalena, Profiles in History, now Heritage
24 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Joe and I discuss his broad hobby origin story as well as his recent arrival at Heritage Auctions and the impact on adjacent categories of collectible...
416 - Collecting in the Dark (Without Power)
23 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Last week left many in Texas without electrical power for extended periods of time - how did I and other collectors cope?
415 - Winterizing Your Collection
22 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Last week's record low temperatures in Texas was disruptive to all aspects of life including sports card collecting.
414B - Six Listener Questions
20 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
An accumulation of six sports card hobby and personal questions asked by listeners recently, each briefly addressed. Direct your questions to doctor...
414A - Out-Takes from Hobby Hotline 020621
20 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Hobby Hotline is a fast-moving live call-in show on Saturday mornings - this is a brief excerpt from the show two weeks ago. If you enjoy this snipp...
414 - Origin: Patrick Greenough, Radicards
19 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Patrick's hobby origin story beginning at age six and resulting in Radicards now.
413 - Tribute: Dale Earnhardt with Val Marz
18 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt passed away exactly twenty years ago today. Val Marz, host of the NASCARD Radio podcast helps me remember this racing i...
412 - Transferable Skills with Torsten Bauer
17 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Torsten and I talk about the skills acquired in sports cards collecting that serve one well in their career and non-hobby life.
411 - Origin: Billy Celio, Upper Deck
16 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Billy talks about his sports card hobby origin story including how he got his job at Upper Deck.
410 - Origin: David Porter, Panini
15 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
David has some great stories to tell about his decades in the hobby including his worst deal ever from 30 years ago. His goal was to get ALL the car...
409B - Upper Deck Hockey Box Battle
13 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Five of Upper Deck's hockey products from this year are evaluated: Chronology, Synergy, Team Canada Juniors, O-Pee-Chee, and Upper Deck Hobby series o...
409A - Out-Takes: Brody The Kid, Hobby Life
13 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Brody turns the tables on his show - he gets to ask me the questions - at 12 and a half years old he holds his own! Here's seven minutes of fun with...
409 - Then And Now: Beckett Subscriptions with Bob Richardson
12 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bob Richardson led our company's subscription effort for many years and we discuss the importance of monthly subscribers in print publications, especi...
408 - Out-Takes on Content, Media, and Crossing from Sports Cards Live
11 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremy Lee and I had several threads across his Sports Card Live show from January 9, 2021 - highly recommended that you listen to the whole episode.
407 - Dueling Questions with Charles Hodder, COMC ID
10 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dueling Questions with Charles Hodder stretched way beyond COMC, where he works, into other industry backlogs.
406 - The 2000's: Card Shows with Dave Sliepka
09 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dave and I review the big shows of the decade of the 2000's, especially the Nationals each summer.
405 - Dueling Questions with Terry Wickstrom
08 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Terry and I exchange thought-provoking questions about the hobby we both love.
404B - Grading Quotas
06 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Many misunderstandings about graded cards and the companies who grade them. Quotas have been whispered or suggested over the years but what does tha...
404A - Out-Takes with Carl Landau, I Used To Be Somebody
06 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I enjoyed being on Carl's podcast and these were the interchanges that seemed more relevant to our audience - but I encourage you to listen and enjoy ...
404 - Dueling Questions with COMC Barry
05 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
COMC Canada's Barry and I go back and forth with some hobby questions on a wide range of topics.
403 - 1960-61 Fleer Baseball All-Time Greats with Rich Klein
04 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rich and I discuss the 1960 and 1961 Fleer sets that featured baseball hall of famers and other old-timers. I remember buying them in packs back in ...
402 - SLAM Interview Out-Takes with Jordan Hagedorn
03 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jordan interviewed me for an article in SLAM magazine. These are the out-takes for that discussion.
401 - Interview: Carl Landau, Niche Media
02 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Carl sold his company, Niche Media, a year and a half ago, and we share stories about that as well as all the other start-ups, events, and consultatio...
400 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 379-398
01 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A brief recap of the past four weeks of episodes - you can send your comments or questions to [email protected] and they may "influence" a...
399B - Broken Hobby Resolutions
30 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
By the end of January many have given up on their New Year's resolutions - here are some hobby resolutions you should maintain throughout the year.
399A - GameStop (GameStonk) vs. Sports Cards
30 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The amazing run-up in Game Stop stock lately has generated major news - what can we learn in terms of sports card insights? Can bubbles be long-term...
399 - Player: Dale Murphy with Pete Williams
29 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sports writer Pete Williams is not the only knowledgable fan who holds Dale Murphy as their favorite player (and wants him in the Baseball Hall of Fam...
398 - Player: Todd Helton with Terry Wickstrom
28 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Terry and I discuss his favorite player's cards, career, and excellent HOF chances.
397 - Out-Takes on Consulting, FOMO, and Grading from Sports Cards Live
27 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremy Lee, host of Sports Card Live, and I discuss several interesting topics as mentioned in the title.
396 - Origin: Charles Hodder, COMC ID
26 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Not everything you wanted to know about COMC's card identification process - but I certainly learned some things. Charles' eclectic collecting backg...
395 - Tributes: Mike Gallela and Ernie Montella with Rich Klein
25 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rich and I reminisce about our old friends, whom we regularly saw at the popular Philadelphia shows over many decades.
394B - Invitation to 2021 Hobby Convo "Dinners"
23 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send your email address to [email protected] explaining how you have promoted the hobby and this podcast for consideration to be included...
394A - Tribute: Hank Aaron
23 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Hank Aaron has passed away from a massive stroke at the age of 86 - he was the premier power hitter of his generation and still holds the all-time rec...
394 - Then And Now: USA Today with Pete Williams
22 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The influence of a national daily newspaper with a ground-breaking approach to sports reporting was fundamental to the growth of the industry in my op...
393 - Out-Takes on Gretzky 10's from Hobby Hotline
21 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremy Lee, my co-host last Saturday on Hobby Hotline, and I got into an in-depth substantive discussion of the two Gretzky 10 RC's, which went for wo...
392 - Then And Now: Hobby Photographers with Ben Bram
20 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ben collects pre-rookie post cards and enjoys the quest for knowledge about these tougher cards and the photographers who produced them.
391 - Origin: COMC Barry
19 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Barry and I talk about his key role in the development and operation of COMC Canada including their virtual show presence.
390 - Out-Takes on Big Hobby Stories 2020 from Sports Cards Live
18 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremy Lee, popular host of Sports Cards Live, interviewed me on the biggest stories of the past year - recommend you subscribe to Jeremy's YouTube ch...
389B - Bitcoin versus Sports Cards
16 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Would you invest in Bitcoin but NOT in Sports Cards? They are similar in some ways but very different in other ways. Compared and contrasted!
389A - Out-Takes on Promo and Preview Cards with Lee Markowitz
16 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Lee and I continue our discussion on some baseball cards that are very hard to find, perhaps because they are hard to distinguish.
389 - Origin: Brody the Kid
15 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Brody and I sit down for a wide-ranging discussion of his "career" in the hobby - great to talk about the future of kids in this hobby with a real kid...
388 - Origin: Pete Williams, author of Card Sharks
14 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Pete's book, Card Sharks, back in 1995 was a must read - we catch up with him 25 years later and find out what interesting things Pete has been up to....
387 - Promo and Preview Cards with Lee Markowitz
13 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Lee and I discuss the difficulty of finding some of the toughest baseball cards from the junk wax era.
386 - Tribute: Gale Sayers with Dave Sliepka
12 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dave and I discuss the legacy of recently departed Gale Sayers as well as other Chicago Bears legends.
385 - Out-Takes from Hobby Hotline 010221
11 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This particular Hobby Hotline show was an hour and an half long - lots of good discussion and questions from live listeners - recommend listening to t...
384C - Tribute: Tommy LaSorda, Hall of Fame Manager
09 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Tommy LaSorda has passed away from a fatal heart attack at the age of 93, the oldest living Baseball Hall of Famer. Tommy was colorful and a huge pe...
384B - Out-Takes on Retail and PSA from Sports Cards Live
09 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Excellent questions and comments from Jeremy Lee of Sports Cards Live, where I appeared recently - very enjoyable show every week - highly recommended...
384A - Out-Takes with Geoff Wilson
09 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Geoff (Sports Card Investor podcast) and I discussed a range of hobby topics at his Holiday Virtual Show last month.
384 - Tribute: Floyd Little with John Newman
08 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Syracuse has had three amazing HOF runners carry their number 44: Jim Brown, Ernie Davis, and Floyd Little. John Newman shares his interactions with...
383 - Out-Takes on Future Projections from Hobby Hotline
07 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Val Marz, Jeremy, and John Newman, mainstays of the Hobby Hotline call-in show, join this wide-ranging (and live) discussion about the hobby's future ...
382 - 1961-62 Fleer Basketball
06 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This iconic set was under-appreciated until it wasn't.
381 - Tribute: Phil Niekro with Rich Klein
05 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Great Baseball Hall of Fame knuckle-balling pitcher Phil Niekro has passed away from cancer at 81 - his cards and memorabilia have always been very re...
380 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 359-378
04 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A brief recap of the past twenty episodes in case you missed any of them. Episode ideas or suggestions can be sent to [email protected] ...
379B - Out-Takes on World Record Prices from Sports Cards Live
02 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremy Lee of Sports Cards Live interviewed me on his YouTube channel about the biggest stories of 2020. We were largely in agreement.
379A - 2021 Predictions with Rob Veres, Burbank Sportscards
02 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We hear Rob's exciting predictions for the sports card hobby in 2021 - no secret that he is very bullish.
379 - 2021 Predictions with Mike Fruitman, Mike's Stadium Sportscards
01 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and I discuss what we think will happen next year in our industry (which is trending!).
378 - Year in Review 2020 with Mike Fruitman, Mike's Stadium Sportscards
31 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Mime and I talk about the past year - a year like no other in our sports card hobby.
377 - Pro Football HOF Semi-Finalists with Rich Klein
30 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Rich and I discuss the just-named 25 Pro Football Hall of Fame semi-finalists and their Hall chances as well as any potential impact on their particul...
376 - Tribute: Joshua Leland Evans with Rich Klein
29 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Hobby sports memorabilia auction pioneer and co-founder of Leland's, Josh Evans has passed away - he is greatly missed and mourned.