Dr. James Beckett: Sports Card Insights

342 - 1949 Leaf Baseball with Karl Dykstra

11 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Karl shares his family's positive story involving his dad's cards and how they were handled over the decades since the exact day they were purchased.

341 - Mortality with Brad Askew

10 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Brad and I discuss this difficult topic that perhaps every serious collector will eventually face.

340 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 319-338

09 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A brief recap of the most recent twenty episodes of this podcast in case you are curious.

339B - Out-Takes on Post and Jello with Dr. Rick Johnson

07 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Rick and I rambled on for some of the other interesting Post and Jello sets from the early 1960's.  The year 2020 has taught us that "ridiculous"...

339A - 2020 Panini Origins Football thanks to Dane Coenen, Dynasty Breaks

07 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Breaker Dane Coenen, who has appeared on this show before, kindly sent over a couple of boxes of Panini Origins for our review.

339 - 1963 Post and 1963 Jello with Dr. Rick Johnson

06 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Rick and I discuss the similarities and differences between these two challenging sets, both with the allure of intriguing short prints.

338 - Basketball Card Fanatic e-Magazine with Adam Gray

05 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Adam Gray's e-Magazine is highly recommended - contact him at [email protected] for a free copy of his first issue.

337 - Where to Sell with Joe Palke

04 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Joe Palke wants to sell some of his cards - don't many of us?  What are the preferred selling platforms or methods for selling cards of various value...

336 - Card Storage and Protection with Alex Bell

03 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Bell and I discuss different methods of storing and protecting sports cards - the more valuable as well as those less valuable.

335 - Tribute: Herb Adderley

02 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Recently deceased Pro Football Hall of Famer Herb Adderley is worthy of a second look - his cards look like utter bargains based on their supply compa...

334B - Out-Takes on Fractional Ownership from Hobby Hotline

31 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hobby Hotline is a great show (live!) that I encourage you to listen to in its entirety.  I was joined by John Newman, Jeff Dinson, Jeremy Lee, and J...

334A - Out-Takes on Customer Service Fixes from Hobby Hotline

31 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hobby Hotline is always interesting and worth your attention.  We had an interesting exchange last time I was on this live show, worthy of sharing.

334 - The 1990's: Card Shows with Rich Klein

30 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I examine the big shows, especially the Nationals, over the decade of the 1990's.

333 - The Real RC with Victor Roman

29 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Victor Roman has done extensive research and reporting on rookie cards, which he shares with us.  What defines an RC has evolved.

332 - Kids and the Hobby with Kevin O'Keefe

28 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin, a second grade teacher, and I discuss ways to get more kids into our great hobby.

331 - Seven Price Guide Hacks

27 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Looking through the political lens with next week's election, here are seven price guide hacks along with some connections to popular controversial to...

330 - Out-Takes from Beckett Industry Summit with Ray Schulte

26 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The recent Beckett Industry Summit had a number of excellent sessions.  Ray Schulte interviewed me for one and this was the segment I thought was par...

329B - Faux Sponsor: Autograph Legibility Service

24 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Listen to this episode if you agree that athletes and celebrities should do a better job of signing their names in terms of legibility and recognizabi...

329A - Arrows

24 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The introduction of up and down arrows in Beckett Baseball Card Monthly was a turning point back in 1985.

329 - Explosive Corporate Growth with Rich Klein

23 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We are in another period of explosive hobby growth - Rich interviews me on what we can learn from the last time?

328 - The National Re-Imagined

22 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I go down a path of "what if's" reimagining our annual National Sports Collectors Convention, considering that this year is the first year since incep...

327 - Faux Sponsor: Sports Card SPAC

21 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A SPAC is a special financial approach for helping companies go public more easily.  Is there another public company in the hobby's future?

326 - 1972 Topps Baseball with Rich Klein

20 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I reminisce about the largest-ever (to that point) Topps baseball card set.

325 - Heritage Auctions Specialties with Derek Grady, HA VP

19 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Derek and I discuss the hobby, what makes it great, and how Heritage is strategically positioned.

324B - Anti-Analytic

17 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I am obviously not anti-analytics, but I realize there are some trailblazers out there who write their own "music" and scripts for success.  

324A - 2020 Topps Gypsy Queen Baseball

17 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A review of this popular Topps baseball product and a discussion of pack and box odds.

324 - Interview: Pete Calderon, Heritage Auctions

16 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Pete and I discuss third-party grading, coming from the auction house perspective.

323 - Tribute: Eddie Van Halen

15 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Music superstar and guitar hero Eddie Van Halen's life and death suggest insights for us sports collectors.

322 - Grading Skill with Derek Grady, Heritage Auctions VP

14 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Derek was former head grader at SGC and has brought his keen eye and knowledge to Heritage serving as VP for the past nine years and evaluating and ha...

321 - Tribute: Joe Morgan

13 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Joe Morgan, perhaps the greatest second baseman in baseball history, passed away this past Sunday of polyneuropathy.

320 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 299-318

12 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A very quick summary of the episodes of the past four weeks - thanks!  [email protected]

319C - Tribute: Whitey Ford

10 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Whitey Ford was an even greater pitcher than I remembered.

319B - Tribute: Barrie Sullivan

10 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

My friend Barrie Sullivan passed away almost six years ago.  He was an early strong contributor to the health and expansion of our hobby based on his...

319A - 2019-20 Upper Deck Stature Hockey Experiment

10 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I took three routes to see which would be most pleasing or profitable in pursuing Stature.  I was surprised.

319 - Huggins & Scott Auction Logistics with Bill Huggins and Kris Fraley

09 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Huggins & Scott's auction logistics expertise allows them to profitably handle large lots as a service to the industry.

318 - Tribute: Bob Gibson

08 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A closer look at Baseball Hall of Famer Bob Gibson's life, career, and cards, after his tragic passing at the age of 84 to pancreatic cancer.

317 - Great Moms with Claire Amano

07 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

My sister Claire and I share stories about the early days of Beckett Publications and our mom's influence on this her 95th birthday.

316 - Heart Attack Reminiscences with Claire and Jeff Amano, both former Presidents of Beckett Publications

06 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

My sister Claire and her husband Jeff really stepped up when I had my heart attack exactly 24 years ago today and led Beckett Publications during that...

315 - US Election Concerns

05 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Pew Research nationally surveyed for and then ranked the top 12 most concerning social and political issues involved in this coming presidential elect...

314B - Feedback Contest

03 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Rewards for substantive feedback - listen and find out how and why during the month of October 2020.

314A - Types of Flippers

03 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Not all flippers are good ... or bad for the hobby.

314 - Professional Money Manager's Views on the "Hobby"

02 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ryan Krueger's firm helps clients manage their investments.  Ryan and I compare and contrast publicly-traded stocks and publicly-traded sports cards....

313 - Origin: Derek Grady, Heritage Auctions VP

01 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Derek and I have a wide-ranging conversation including his sports cards and collectibles hobby journey and the key brands to which he has strongly con...

312 - Dueling Questions with Steve Grad, Beckett Authentication Services

30 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Premier autograph authenticator Steve Grad and I trade questions on a variety of hobby topics.

311 - Hobby? Dealer? Mike Chark's Definitions

29 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mike and I discuss the various meanings attached historically to the words hobby and dealer.

310 - Best First Basemen NOT in the Hall of Fame with Rich Klein

28 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I discuss the respective chances of some hobby favorites waiting hopefully for their Hall call. 

309B - Out-Takes from Hobby Hotline on the "Junk Gem Era"

26 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Live caller Kevin Jones had an interesting question which was addressed - recommend you listen to the whole hour-long show, Hobby Hotline, another exc...

309A - Out-Takes from Hobby Hotline on Future Shows and Retail Distribution

26 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Last Saturday's Hobby Hotline had many great moments (as a live show) - I encourage you to listen to the whole show with Drew Herndon, Texas Card Dude...

309 - Then And Now: Pacific Trading Cards with Rich Klein

25 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I discuss the baseball card products of one of the most innovative card companies and the people involved including some history-repeated sto...

308 - Dueling Questions 3.0 with Rich Klein

24 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I go round three of the Dueling Questions format.

307 - Origin: Pete Calderon, Heritage Auctions

23 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Pete shares his strong background in the hobby, landing at Heritage for the past 12 years.

306 - Origin: Ryan Krueger, Professional Money Manager

22 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ryan discusses how he has applied what he learned as a young collector to his current career in money management.

305 - Origin: Steve Grad, Beckett Authentication

21 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Steve gives his hobby origin story starting as a young card collector in Chicago.

304B - 1953 Topps Baseball

19 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Collectable has syndicated the PSA 10 Mickey Mantle from 1953 Topps, a true condition rarity.

304A - The Greatest Generation

19 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Both my father and father-in-law have birthdays this week - they are terrific examples of the greatest generation.  More than 90% of the Major League...

304 - Dueling Questions with Ken Capell

18 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ken and I trade questions about our hobby aspirations among other topics.

303 - Then And Now: The Effect of the Internet with Tanner Jones

17 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tanner and I discuss the dramatic effect of the Internet on sports card collecting at the three inflection points of Tanner's hobby experience. 

302 - 1985 Donruss-Leaf Baseball with Rich Klein

16 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I discuss Donruss' innovative (at the time) approach to the Canadian baseball card market and its enduring collectability.

301 - Topps eCommerce Strategy with Jeff Heckman

15 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jeff shares the evolution of Topps' eCommerce efforts, breaking big this year.

300 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 279-298

14 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A brief recap of the past twenty episodes over the past four weeks in case you missed a few, and are curious.  If you want to hear more on some topic...

299B - Ten Buyer Negotiating Tips

12 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sports card buyers love good deals - but how to negotiate them in this bull market.

299A - Ten Seller Negotiating Tips

12 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sports card sellers frequently negotiate, but perhaps less so in a bull market. 

299 - Dueling Questions with Nick Matijevich, Panini

11 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nick and I trade questions about the hobby and our experiences.

298 - Out-Takes on Hobby Hiring with Mike Sommer, Wax Pack Hero

10 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mike and I have a side conversation discussing hobby hiring practices. 

297 - Origin: Mike Chark

09 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mike relates his Western Canadian sports card hobby journey with us.

296 - Tribute: Lou Brock

08 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A well-deserved tribute to Lou Brock, who passed away at 81 on Sunday afternoon.

295 - Card Collection Insurance with Ken Capell

07 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Long-time insurance pro and serious hockey card collector, Ken Capell and I discuss the merits of insuring your sports card collection. 

294B - Out-Takes with Tanner Jones

05 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tanner and I kept the recorder going and I have extracted this short exchange from his interview of me, which I thought you would like.

294A - Out-Takes on Market Manipulation with Adam Gray, The Basketball Card Podcast

05 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On Adam's The Basketball Card Podcast last week (recommend that you listen to the whole episode) I was asked about historical market manipulation of t...

294 - 1977 O-Pee-Chee Baseball (with Rich Klein)

04 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The most interesting of the modern O-Pee-Chee baseball sets with all the subtle and not-so-subtle differences compared to the Topps set of the same ye...

293 - Benefits of Instagram with Adam Gray, The Basketball Card Podcast

03 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Adam suggests that every serious collector should be on Instagram and gives his four reasons why.

292 - Mega-Sorting with Mike Sommer, Wax Pack Hero

02 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

There is sorting and there is mega-sorting.  Mike shares his on-going experience breaking down a largely-unsorted million-card inventory.

291 - Origin: Jeff Heckman, Topps eCommerce Director

01 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jeff shares his hobby journey and his current work at Topps directing their successful eCommerce efforts.

290 - Bubbles and Balloons

31 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

How to think (and what to do) about the current hot state of the sports card industry.

289B - Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience

29 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Popular book summarized (and the book summary is recommended) - how and where do you get in the zone with respect to the hobby?

289A - Watters Creek Card Show Report

29 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I "analyzed" and "quantified" this 300+ table weekend card show (and its contents) and share some of my conclusions.

289 - Origin: Adam Gray, The Basketball Card Podcast

28 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Adam shares his origin story, his essentially uninterrupted life-long passion for basketball cards, including the development of his excellent podcast...

288 - Financial Episodes Follow-Up with Mike Sommer, Wax Pack Hero

27 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mike has some thoughtful questions about previous episodes dealing with the financial aspects of this great hobby.

287 - Custom Cards with Tanner Jones

26 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tanner talks about his "labor of love" hobby of creating custom cards on a very limited basis for personal use and enjoyment.

286 - Music and Sports Cards with Rich Klein

25 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I discuss the interesting parallels and contradictions between the world of music and sports cards.

285 - Celebrating Kobe Bryant Day

24 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today is 8-24 - informally now known as Kobe Bryant Day!  My best Kobe find, victory snatched from the jaws of defeat.

284B - Out-Takes from Scott Prusha, Sports Marketing Director, Panini

22 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Overflow from my recent conversations with Scott.

284A - Out-Takes from Jeremy Lee's Sports Cards Live on the Advent of BGS

22 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Highly recommend that you listen (or watch) Jeremy's Episode 30 of his Sports Cards Live on YouTube, where I was his guest for an enjoyable hour three...

284 - Origin: Nick Matijevich, Panini

21 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We hear Nick's origin story from young savvy collector to his current position at Panini. 

283 - National Cancel Implications with Rich Klein

20 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The National Sports Collectors Convention for 2020 has been officially cancelled now, so Rich and I look forward to Chicago next summer, and how the N...

282 - Origin: Dan Good

19 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sports journalist and author Dan Good (and husband of Sooz) shares his hobby journey with us, including his ghost-writing.

281 - The 1980's: Card Shows (with Jon Flemister)

18 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the evolution of the National Sports Collectors Convention and other large regional sports card shows during the 1980's.

280 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 259-278

17 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A brief recap and highlight of each of the past twenty episodes in case you missed some.  Thanks for listening - [email protected] 

279B - 2019-20 Upper Deck Dueling Hockey Boxes: Stature vs. Ice

15 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We compare and contrast the experience and results of opening these two similarly priced hockey hobby boxes.  One had a higher yield, but that was no...

279A - Pulling the Trigger: Is It A Good Deal Now?

15 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Is It A Good Deal Now?  Seven aspects to consider before pulling the trigger on a major purchase.

279 - Dueling Questions with Scott Prusha, Sports Marketing Director, Panini

14 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Scott and I trade questions about our hobby.

278 - Shipping Part Two (with Mike Sommer, Wax Pack Hero)

13 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mike shares more shipping do's and don't's for collectors and dealers of sports cards.

277 - Dueling Questions with Jeremy Lee, Sports Cards Live

12 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jeremy (Sports Cards Live on YouTube) and I duel with our hobby questions to each other.

276 - Analytics (with Geoff Wilson, Sports Card Investor)

11 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Geoff and I exchange opinions about current and past sports card analytics and graphs and their interpretation.

275 - Getting Off The Treadmill with Tanner Jones

10 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes it's healthy to take a break from your hobby.  Tanner and I discuss the ramifications of the hamster wheel.

274C - 2020 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions Hobby Box

08 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Thank you, Upper Deck, for the opportunity to review this product - hard to describe, but very eclectic and very enjoyable, especially if you like all...

274B - Investment Fallacies: Franchise Owner Mentality

08 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What does it feel like to own a professional sports franchise?  How is it similar to owning a fabulous sports card collection?

274A - Boring Cards

08 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What cards would be boring?

274 - Interview: Shawn Barker and Mike Fruitman

07 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Free-form discussion about the hobby we love.

273 - Origin: Jon Flemister

06 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jon and his dad Pat were regulars on the sports card show circuit back in the 1980's and owned a card shop in North Little Rock.