Dr. James Beckett: Sports Card Insights
Episodes
237 - Tribute: Jackie Robinson (with John Newman)
17 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Following up on my earlier Jackie Robinson Player episode, John and I discuss the totality of Jackie's impact on baseball, other sports, our culture, ...
236 - Origin: Dan Hitt
16 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dan Hitt, long-time Beckett Football Price Guide editor, sits down for a chat about his hobby journey from his earliest days.
235 - Then and Now: Fat Packs (Eric Norton and Paul Wirth)
15 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss the history of Fat Packs, the long-running, successful weekly podcast, that is now morphing into Beckett Live Presents.
234B - What If? Card Show Masked Robbery?
13 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Wearing a mask hides your identity. It seems every robber wears a mask, but obviously all mask-wearers are NOT robbers.
234A - Investment Fallacies: New Money?
13 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How is "new money" in our industry different from "old money"?
234 - Upper Deck Product Development (with Grant Sandground)
12 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Since immediately after graduating from college, Grant has held key positions at two hobby stalwarts, Beckett Publications first, and now Upper Deck a...
233 - Player: George Brett (with Tim Shepler)
11 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Tim Shepler (aka Big Shep of About the Cards) discusses his favorite player, George Brett.
232 - Origin: John Clemens
10 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sports media personality, announcer, and radio voice, John Clemens, shares his hobby origin story.
231 - Interview: Kristina Thorson (House of Jordans)
09 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristina, co-host of House of Jordans, tells us her hobby origin story.
230A - Topps Project 2020 Trivia Answers
08 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Listen to Episode #229A for the questions, but here are the answers as promised, plus my surprising (and perhaps unrealistic) 20th pick for the next s...
230 - Set: 1967 Topps Baseball (with Rich Klein)
08 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
An excellent offering by Topps, considered by some to be the best baseball set of the decade.
229B - Topps Project 2020 Next?
06 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Who would you select for Topps if they were to do another 20 baseball players in the artistic format of Project 2020 next time?
229A - Topps Project 2020 Player Trivia
06 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Each of the 20 selected players from Topps Project 2020 is the answer to a trivia question. See how many you can get.
229 - Mortality (with John Newman)
05 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
John Newman's recent provocative episode on his shorter Hobby Quick Hits, IMHO deserved further consideration. Please listen to his episode first, t...
228 - Origin: Todd Westover
04 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Todd Westover spent more than a decade successfully selling non-indigenous ads within this hobby/industry, while building his sports card and memorabi...
227 - Interview: Paul Wirth and Eric Norton (Fat Packs)
03 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We interview Paul and Eric about their hobby experiences.
226 - Topps Project 2020 Explosion (with John Newman)
02 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
John Newman of Sports Card Nation and Hobby Quick Hits discusses the exploding phenomenon, which is Topps Project 2020.
225 - Origin: Tim Shepler (Big Shep)
01 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Tim Shepler, co-host of the weekly "About the Cards" podcast shares his hobby origin story.
224B - Our Disposable Culture
30 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is worth saving? What should be disposable? Cultural opinions and tastes evolve over time. Last generation's trash can be this generation's...
224A - The Hobby Is Not a Balloon!
30 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The sports card hobby is not a balloon, but, if it was, how can we let a little air out of it.
224 - Show Promoters Beware! (with Rich Klein)
29 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Rich and I discuss the considerations for card shows reopening (including his own).
223 - Faux Sponsor: Front and Center Grading (FCG)
28 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Faux sponsor FCG proposes a radical approach to sports card grading which focuses on the concept of the card's eye appeal.
222 - Player: Jim Bouton (with Rich Klein)
27 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The impact of Jim Bouton, author of Ball Four, on the game of baseball and collecting.
221 - Tribute: Barry Halper
26 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Barry was a part owner of the New York Yankees and was the face of high-end sports card and memorabilia collecting in the late 20th century. We shar...
220A - Memorial Day Heroes
25 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Memorial Day honors those who have lost their lives in the military serving and defending their country in war.
220 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 199-218
25 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A quick recap of the past twenty episodes.
219B - Topps Project 2020
23 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Topps has a big winner that is sure to be emulated.
219A - Fear!
23 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Fear of missing out (FOMO) compared to fear of embarassment as applied to our sports card industry.
219 - Property Tax Protest Parallels (with Buck Easley)
22 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Veteran property tax consultant Buck Easley discusses the parallels between his profession and the valuation of sports cards.
218 - 1971 Topps Baseball (with Rich Klein)
21 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Rich and I discuss our experiences with the black-bordered 1971 Topps baseball card set.
217 - Are You a Gambler?
20 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Compulsive gambling is a problem - exposed when the winning stops - as it alway does when you are relying on luck and not on skill and self-control.
216A - Last Dance Aftermath
19 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Just finished the ten-part ESPN docu-series on the Last Dance and am reflecting on the future hobby impact.
216 - Dueling Questions (with Angela Loeffler)
19 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Back and forth questions with Stephan's wife, Angela Loeffler, getting her female perspective.
215 - Then and Now: American Football League (with Todd Tobias)
18 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Todd shares his long-time love for all things AFL.
214B - NSCC (The National) in December?
16 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The National has been tentatively re-scheduled to December 12-16, 2020, still in Atlantic City. That will likely mean some changes - some for the be...
214A - Huggins & Scott Catalog: Most Bids 5/28/20
16 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Huggins & Scott's latest auction features more than 1200 lots - highlighted here in this podcast are the early leaders in most bids.
214 - Tribute: George Lyons
15 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
George Lyons (1937-2001) seemed to be at the epicenter of the hobby back beginning in the late 1970's, armed with his WATS line. Many of that eras big...
213 - Players: Bob Uecker and Joe Garagiola (with Rich Klein)
14 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Rich and I discuss two light-hitting, but media-savvy, former baseball catchers, a funny guy and a comedian.
212 - The Ripple Effect (with Joe Davis)
13 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Joe Davis of GotBaseballCards.com, and co-host of the new podcast, The Collector and The Dealer, shares his theories of the causes of the latest drama...
211A - About "About the Cards" (Out-Takes)
12 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Listening in on the pre-show discussion with Stephan and Angela Loeffler.
211 - About "About the Cards" (with Stephan and Angela Loeffler)
12 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Stephan and his wife Angela sit down for a behind the scenes look at their popular podcast.
210 - Origin: Todd Tobias
11 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Todd shares his precocious hobby journey through vintage baseball cards to AFL cards and AFL history.
209B - The MVP Machine
09 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The thesis of this baseball book is that great players are made, not necessarily born - they sometimes take a non-conformist path.
209A - SMART Goals
09 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Goals "should" be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. As a hobbyist that's not necessarily so.
209 - Mother's Day Appreciation
08 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How to show appreciation to your mother in the context of loving sports cards - you, not necessarily her.
208 - Dueling Questions: Rich Klein
07 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Rich and I go back and forth with questions in turn.
207A - COVID-Safe Card Shows
06 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What will the shows of the future look like - what safeguards and protections might be put in place?
207 - COVID-Safe Card Shops (with Joe Davis)
06 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Respected Georgia card shop owner Joe Davis discusses what the post-COVID environment might look like for his shop.
206 - Tribute: Jefferson Burdick (American Card Catalog)
05 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jefferson Burdick (1900-1963), was one of truest and noblest pioneers of our great hobby, our initial cataloger. His selfless contributions to our l...
205 - Confidence in Grading
04 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How to think about the confidence sports card collectors should have in grading services in terms of variability and consistency.
204B - Raw Vintage VG Cards
02 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Listener Mark Zentkovich laments the challenge of filling out sets of off-condition vintage, where half-off is not a bargain for "good" condition card...
204A - Topps USFL Football Cards
02 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A look back at Topps two iconic sets, 1984 and 1985, featuring the now-defunct USFL.
204 - Player: Jose Canseco (with Tanner Jones)
01 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Tanner Jones has super-collected Jose Canseco, even spending a day with the slugger. More details in his excellent book, Confessions of a Baseball C...
203 - Origin: Buck Easley
30 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Vintage collector Buck Easley shares his collecting origin story.
202 - Set: 1968 Topps Baseball (with Rich Klein)
29 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Rich and I discuss 1968 Topps baseball cards. Rich remembers his first cards being third series of that year, an auspicious start indeed!
201 - The 1970's: Early Card Shows (by Allan Muir)
28 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Allan Muir asks about the early days of card shows before the advent of price guides.
200 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 179-198
27 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We briefly recap the past twenty episodes over the past four eventful weeks. If you have questions or comments, please send them to doctorjamesbecke...
199C - BCCG Question from Ryan
25 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Listener Ryan inquired about BCCG in response to our earlier full episode.
199B - Lou Brown Out-Takes
25 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Lou and I had an interesting conversation before we recorded his origin episode that I thought was worth sharing.
199A - Origin: Lou Brown (Legends Sports & Games)
25 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Lou shares his multi-faceted journey through the sports card hobby from his successful LCS in Grand Rapids, MI.
199 - Twins Collecting (with Stephan Loeffler)
24 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Stephan and I discuss his love of the Twins baseball franchise.
198 - Home Schooling? (with Rich Klein)
23 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Rich and I discuss the use of sports cards in a home schooling curriculum.
197 - Pre-Tribute: Carol Fowler on Administrative Professionals Day
22 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today is Administrative Professionals Day in the US - what better day than to honor my long-time Executive Assistant Carol Fowler, who is now happily ...
196 - Origin: Tanner Jones, author of Confessions of a Baseball Card Addict
21 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Tanner engagingly shares his sports card hobby origin story. More info on Tanner can be found in his excellent autobiographical book, Confessions o...
195 - The 1970's: Buying Trips (by Allan Muir)
20 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Allan Muir interviews me for a future edition of Beckett Vintage magazine with respect to my personal experience with buying trips back in the pre-pri...
194C - Hating Plastic Sheets?
18 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I don't hate plastic sheets or other kinds of popular sports card holders, but how I use them is my own personal preference.
194B - Malcolm Gladwell's Adages
18 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell has written several very "insightful" books.
194A - Tribute: Stu Payne (with Drew Herndon)
17 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sadly, Stu Payne passed away about a year ago from cancer at the young age of 26. Drew Herndon, founding co-host of the highly recommended podcast, ...
194 - Dueling Questions (with Ben Wilson)
16 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and I trade hobby questions for each other back and forth.
193 - Taxes on Tax Day
15 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sport card collectors in America are subject to various taxes, including annual income taxes.
192 - Guess That Price (with Rich Klein)
14 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A "game" for profitably passing time while waiting to go back to work. An opportunity to test yourself as to finding good deals and great deals - a ...
191 - Dueling Questions (with Mike Sommer)
13 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and I take turns asking each other hobby questions.
190C - Investment Fallacies: Out of Stock
11 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The dreaded "Out of Stock" has taken on a new meaning the days of COVID-19.
190B - Easter Scheduling?
11 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Easter is special for many reasons - but sports card collectors and dealers realize a "floating" holiday can make spring show schedules tricky, workin...
190A - Ethical Dealers? (with Joe Davis)
10 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
On this special Good Friday episode Joe Davis (Got Baseball Cards) and I discuss what it means to be an ethical dealer or ethical business person. J...
190 - Alternative Selling Platforms (with Mike Sommer)
09 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Mike responded to our earlier episode of the same title and adds some additional considerations based on his experience.
189A - Cultural Literacy
08 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A discussion of cultural literacy and other forms of understanding that could help a sports card investor gain an edge with emerging prospects.
189 - Player: Al Kaline (with Mike Payne)
08 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Mike Payne, Editorial Director of Beckett Media, discusses the life, cards, and memorabilia of recently-passed baseball legend, Al Kaline, Mr. Tiger. ...
188 - Origin: Ben Wilson (About The Cards)
07 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Ben Wilson, co-host of the popular podcast, About The Cards, shares his hobby origin story.
187 - Dueling Questions (with Drew Herndon)
06 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Drew Herndon trades questions back and forth - unrehearsed and unedited.
186B - Collection Breakdown Math
04 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
After you bring home a sports card collection - what then? Ever wondered how long it takes to break it down and organize it.
186A - The Best Hobby?
04 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We make a case for sports card collecting being the best hobby in the world!
186 - Origin: Drew Herndon (Lemme Get That Podagraph)
03 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Drew Herndon, popular host of the outstanding hobby podcast, Lemme Get That Podagraph, comes on to relate his hobby origin story.
185 - Origin: Mike Sommer (Wax Pack Hero)
02 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Wax Pack Hero, Mike Sommer, popular blogger and podcaster discusses his hobby origin story with us.
184 - Faux Sponsor: Card Fracking
01 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss the patent pending technology and concept behind card fracking.
183 - Player: Curly Neal of the Harlem Globetrotters (with Rich Klein)
31 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Recently deceased Harlem Globetrotters' star dribbler and ball-handler, Curly Neal, is discussed in context of his wizardry, cards, and societal impac...
182 - Player: Jimmy Wynn (with Rich Klein)
30 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss recently departed baseball star, Jimmy Wynn, the "Toy Cannon". Rich's first favorite player, who was very popular with Topps.
181B - Then and Now: McGwire's RC?
28 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We look back to 1984 and 1985 (in the back issues of Beckett Baseball Card Monthly) to see the historical treatment of Mark McGwire's 1985 Topps card....
181A - Personal (Collecting) Mission Statement
28 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Just like a personal mission statement can be unique to you - so can your personal collecting mission statement. First, take stock of your assets, f...
181 - Player: Jerry West
27 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A look at Jerry West, the NBA Hall of Fame player, exceptional executive, and "logo".
180 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 159-178
26 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Podcast episodes 159-178 are briefly summarized and recapped.
179 - Then and Now: BCCG (Beckett Collectors Club Grading)
25 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss the birth of BCCG, Beckett's bulk grading option.
178 - Home-Bound Collecting Enjoyment
24 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan Cracknell wrote an excellent article on Beckett.com, "11 Things Sports Card Collectors Can Do While They're Stuck at Home", is discussed plus a f...
177 - Set: 1984 Donruss Baseball (with Rich Klein)
23 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Rich Klein calls 1984 Donruss his baseball card set of the decade. We discuss the iconic Don Mattingly RC as well as other noteworthy aspects of thi...
176B - Investment Fallacies: Sunk Cost
21 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Sunk Cost fallacy is applied to your sports card portfolio. Sometimes it is the prudent thing to sell cards at a loss.
176A - Who Are You: Enthusiast or Addict?
21 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How into sports cards are you? Have you ever wondered if your wholesome passion borders on addiction?
176 - What If: President Trump Loved Sports Cards?
20 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The far-fetched scenario of President Trump being a member of our hobby and those implausible implications are discussed.
175 - Responding to COVID-19
19 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A discussion of coronavirus effects based on the latest situation - how collectors might respond.
174 - Listener Question and Feedback: Doug Kale
18 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Doug Kale and I tackle a range of topics and questions, many stemming from previous podcasts.
173 - Player: Eddie Murray (with Brad Askew)
17 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Brad Askew and I discuss his favorite player and card collecting focus, Eddie Murray, the powerful, switch-hitting Hall of Famer.