Dr. James Beckett: Sports Card Insights

484A - Out-Takes on my Wall of Fame with Ray Fonio aka Ray from Philly

29 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ray and I kept rolling as we referenced prominent baseball cards pictured on my (multi-sport) Wall of Fame.  

484 - Content Convo: Inspirations

28 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The first question of the evening was: who inspired you in the beginning of your sports card hobby journey - a brief, but well-deserved, shout-out to ...

483 - Content Convo: Intros

27 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We had 26 in attendance at the first Hobby Content Creators dinner, held  immediately after the huge Dallas card show on May 22nd - this episode prov...

482 - Baseball Card Hall of Fame with Mike Steveline

26 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Steveline brought his tech skills to the Baseball Card Hall of Fame project, but like Ray, his two hobby loves are baseball cards and the Hall of...

481 - Out-Takes from Cardboard Chronicles with Josh Johnson

25 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Josh had me on his Cardboard Chronicles show as a guest and we batted ideas around for 45 minutes - check out his show regularly - this was about ten ...

480 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 459-478

24 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A brief recap of the past four weeks of daily episodes - hopefully something for everyone - whether you are a pure collector or an aggressive investor...

479B - The Patient Flipper

22 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I confess that I flip cards - but patiently, and on a smaller scale - in fact my selling horizon is ten years.  Whereas some flippers at shows barely...

479A - Out-Takes about my card Wall of Fame with John Keating

22 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I kept the recorder going for this after-the-interview back-and-forth explaining some of the cards on my wall of Fame as John pointed some of them ou...

479 - Dueling Questions with John Keating, soccer enthusiast

21 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

John and I trade questions about his first and current "sports" loves.  The questions do not have to be explicitly about sports cards, but they need ...

478 - Six Listener Questions 5.0

20 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Six more listener questions on a variety of sports card questions - timely and timeless - please send your questions to [email protected] ...

477 - Baseball Card Hall of Fame with Ray from Philly

19 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ray Fonio aka Ray from Philly created a Baseball Card Hall of Fame four years and voting is by collectors - this year's class is available for voting ...

476 - Dueling Questions with Brad Bethune, TX Card Dude

18 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Brad and I trade questions - most of his questions centered on the early days of BGS card grading - but my questions to him were more personalized.

475 - Dueling Questions with Josh Johnson, Cardboard Chronicles and Card Ladder

17 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Josh and I had questions for each other and we enjoyed the back-and-forth comparing our hobby experiences then and now.

474B - Buy the Card, Not the Holder!

15 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I further complicate this adage - it is true, but there are additional considerations raised - when all is said and done, the answer can be neither (h...

474A - Topps Box Battle: Chrome F1 and Museum Collection Soccer

15 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Comparing and contrasting two boxes received thanks to Emily Kless of Topps - these are from two of the world's most popular sports - Formula 1 is com...

474 - Six Listener Questions 4.0

14 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Six more eclectic sports card questions addressed from recent feedback from a variety of sources and on a variety of topics - if you want your questio...

473 - The Retail Dilemma

13 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hard to find or impossible to find wax at Walmart or Target - facetiously are you more likely to find a fight than to find a desirable box - what can ...

472 - Origin (and Analyzing Soccer): John Keating

12 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

John's origin story involves him originally and still collecting baseball cards, but apparently now loving soccer even more, although surprisingly he ...

471 - Breaking into Breaking, with Jimmy Estruch III, RetroBoomin

11 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jimmy asked about the best way to break into breaking cases - to be profitable a breaker has to acquire desirable sports card cases at a reasonable co...

470 - Dueling Questions with John Newman, Sports Card Nation

10 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

John's Sports Card Nation is one of my favorite podcasts.  In this episode we trade alternating questions about the hobby we both love.

469B - GaradeA.id Follow-Up with Brad Bethune, TX Card Dude

08 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Brad and I discuss the technical challenges inherent in what GradeA.id's press release and marketing mock-up seem to suggest.

469A - Out-Takes on GenaMint from Hobby Hotline 042421

08 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Co-hosts Brody the Kid and Brad Bethune joined me for a stimulating conversation about this breaking news story and how it might impact the grading wo...

469 - Card Ladder, with Josh Johnson, Co-Founder

07 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Josh and I discuss Card Ladder - an impressive analytical app that provides a 21st century price guide approach to many of the inter-related high dema...

467 Out-Takes on Kids' Product and NFT's from Hobby Hotline 042421

06 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Brody the Kid and Brad Bethune (@TXCardDude) were my co-hosts a couple of weeks ago on Hobby Hotline (available live or as an audio podcast) - this wa...

468 - 1989-91 Bowman Baseball, with Rich Klein

06 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Bowman came back with a splash in 1989 when Topps brought back the first of these prospect-driven baseball card sets, which have continued to be antic...

466 - Interview of Me, by Gabriella Fettman

04 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Gabriella had some questions she wanted to ask me about the sports cards hobby for her college psychology paper about how nostalgia has played an impo...

465 - Buy the Dip, with Jimmy Estruch III, RetroBoomin

03 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Buy on the big dip, the little dip, the future dip, the permanent dip?  Very confusing especially in a raging bull market for sports cards.

464B - No Respect for 9's?

01 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In sports card grading the spread between the values of 9's versus 10's is not a fixed constant, as it floats and is dependent on many factors especia...

464A - Grading 1 of 1's

01 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Question submitted about whether 1 of 1's should be graded - here's ten considerations that are relevant to me on my decision in that regard.

464 - Origin: Brad Bethune, TX Card Dude

30 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We hear Brad's sports card origin story including how his wife surprisingly encouraged him at a strategic crossroads.

463 - Dueling Questions with Val Marz , NASCARD Radio

29 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Val and I trade questions back and forth, and not all questions were NASCAR related.  Val's love of sports card collecting, especially racing, and NA...

462 - Origin: Josh Johnson, Cardboard Chronicles and Card Ladder

28 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Josh shares his sports card origin story and how he began his content creation activities culminating in co-founding Card Ladder. 

461 - Out-Takes on GradeA.id and Pre-Grading from Hobby Hotline 042421

27 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I was on Hobby Hotline last Saturday with Brad Bethune (TXCardDude) and Brody The Kid and this segment came up with respect to the recent press releas...

460 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 439-458

26 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We briefly recount the highlights of the past four weeks of daily episodes - if you have episode ideas, please send them to [email protected]...

459B - Genamint and AI Grading: Edges

24 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Interesting news from PSA acquiring Genamint to enhance or lead their AI grading initiatives - this episode discusses the difficulty of AI Grading spe...

459A - Showing (Describing) Your Collection

24 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Some sports card collections are simply too large to be "shown" in their entirety, but they can be described, hopefully in summary form, drilling down...

459 - Origin: Jimmy Estruch III, RetroBoomin

23 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jimmy Estruch of RetroBoomin shares his origin story with us - he had written in and sought advice on shaping and growing his sports card hobby busine...

458 - Modern Convo: Budgeting

22 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Our modern virtual dinner guests (Ken Capell, Jason Granet, Jordan Hagedorn, Jeremy Lee, and Mike Sommer) each had an opinion of the value of budgetin...

457 - NASCAR Cards, with Val Marz, NASCARD Radio

21 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Val, co-host of NASCARD Radio, and I discuss the history of NASCAR cards and other related racing subjects.  NASCAR is America's second most popular ...

456 - Psychology of Collecting and Nostalgia, with Gabriella Fettman

20 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Gabriella is a psychology major at Stern College for Women in New York and has both a father and brother who collect sports cards - she is writing a p...

455 - Detroit Tributes: Charlie Brooks, Tom Tuschak, and Ed Budnick

19 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Detroit collector Frank Guastella and I fondly remember three great collectors from Detroit who were all outstanding ambassadors for our sports card h...

454B - Market Manipulate-ability

17 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How easy is it to manipulate the sports card market or at least the price or value of a specific card or player?  

454A - Current Grading Submission Strategies

17 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Lots of changes from the card grading companies - restrictions and increases - how should collectors and submitters react and respond?

454 - My Pro Bono Consulting with Rich Klein

16 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Rich basically interviews me on what I like to do when I am not collecting or handling sports cards.  Helping solve the problems of others is easier ...

453 - Out-Takes with Rocco Rosato

15 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As you recall, Rocco has been totally blind for the past 15 years, but that has not slowed his sports card collecting passion.

452 - Dueling Questions with Chris Harris, Stale Gum

14 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The economist, Chris Harris, asks the statistician, me, questions, and I reciprocate.

451 - Magic Years vs. Dynasties, with Rich Klein

13 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I discuss the relative merits of magical years vs. dynasties vs. superstar-dominated eras across all the major sports.

450 - Tribute: Frank Nagy, with Frank Guastella

12 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Frank Nagy was a hobby icon from Detroit who had on of the top collections in the world but was very willing to share first-hand information and promo...

449B - Your Collecting Avatar

10 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Using basketball as an analogy - here are six considerations for an avatar that might fit the way you collect during this bull market on basketball (a...

449A - Six Listener Questions 3.0

10 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Another six questions (with answers!) submitted by listeners, all concerning the hobby we all love.  Your questions can be submitted to doctorjamesbe...

449 - Out-Takes on Pricing Considerations from Hobby Hotline 030621

09 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This Hobby Hotline show (a weekly live show but I am on as a recurring guest once a month) featured John Newman (Sports Card Nation) and Rich Klein as...

448 - Kids Card Product Idea

08 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I give specific details on how I would configure an interesting sports card product/set that I believe could be a winner - especially intentionally fo...

447 - The Greatest National, with Rich Klein

07 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I make a case for the Anaheim National of 1991, the largest attendance and the first to really feature corporate promos.  Rich, on the other hand, ha...

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.