Dr. James Beckett: Sports Card Insights

140 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 119-138

29 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We recap the past twenty-plus episodes (#119-138) for those of you who selectively listen.  Send feedback to [email protected] if you hav...

139 - Vintage Dinner Convo: Definition of Vintage

28 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Where does vintage end in terms of the year - 1980? - 1973? - 1960? - 1945?  Assuming you recognize my voice, others attending spoke and contributed ...

138 - Then and Now: After the Sale of Beckett Publications

27 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Beckett Publications was sold on January 25-26, 2005 - this episode focuses on the aftermath of the sale, tracking over the last fifteen years. Any qu...

137D - Tribute: Kobe Bryant

26 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash earlier today.  My primary reaction is sadness - nevertheless there has been an immediate effect on his ...

137C - Modern Dinner Convo: Soccer Cards

25 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A round-table discussion on the aspirational promise of the soccer card market from the recent modern hobby dinner.  You probably can recognize my vo...

137B - Modern Dinner Convo: Price Guide Anomalies

25 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A round-table discussion of price guide anomalies from the recent modern hobby dinner.  You probably recognize my voice by now, but others chiming in...

137A - Annual Hobby Dinners/Conversations

25 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Over the next two weeks I will be releasing several episodes unpacking the conversations which took place around our big board table over dinner.  Pl...

137 - Then and Now: Before the Sale of Beckett Publications

24 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Beckett Publications was sold on January 25-26, 2005 - almost exactly fifteen years ago.  I focus on what led up to the sale as well as some of the p...

136 - Set: 1990 Score Football

23 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The second year of Score football did not have the rookie star power of their inaugural year, but had a plethora of interesting embedded subsets provi...

135 - What If: No Card Shop Sponsors? (with Rich Klein)

22 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I discuss the hypothetical "what if" scenario that Burbank Sportscards or Mike's Stadium Sportcards did not exist - and who or what would fil...

134 - Players: Walt Alston and Sparky Anderson (with Rich Klein)

21 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I compare and contrast Walt Alston and Sparky Anderson, two Hall of Fame managers, who had notable lack of success as players.  If a group o...

133 - Player: Jackie Robinson

20 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today is Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 20, 2020, and hence our episode concerns Jackie Robinson, who broke the color line for Major League B...

132B - Issue: MLK Day

18 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Racial harmony is important.  I have not always taken MLK Day seriously, but recently in my retirement I have hosted black/white friendship dinners, ...

132A - Origin: 1/20/68

18 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Where were you on January 20, 1968?  I know exactly where I was and what I was doing - but more importantly - who I was with.  Best friends were for...

132 - Tribute: Alan Rosen aka Mr. Mint (with Dave Sliepka)

17 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alan Rosen (Mr. Mint) was a force in our industry for three decades, marketing and elevating our hobby into mainstream life.  Dave Sliepka and I disc...

131 - Then and Now: Wild Card (with Rich Klein)

16 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I discuss the rise and fall of Wild Card, the card company known for their infamous striped cards.  Interestingly that innovation from the e...

130 - Set: 1993 Topps Finest Baseball (with Dane Coenen)

15 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We talk to Dane Coenen of Dynasty Breaks about his favorite set.  1993 Topps Finest Baseball marked a seismic turn toward higher end premium products...

129 - Then and Now: Distributors (with Daryl McKay)

14 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Daryl McKay (co-founder of Sports Images, a leading distributor then, and now a business consultant) and I compare and contrast the Distributor landsc...

128 - Player: Honus Wagner

13 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A discussion of Honus Wagner - not just his notorious T206 card but also his playing and coaching career.

127B - Regional Card Shows? (with Dave Sliepka)

11 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dave and I lament the decrease in truly regional card and memorabilia shows, while being encouraged by the recent increase and proliferation of local ...

127A - National Convention Competitors? (with Dave Sliepka)

11 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dave and I discuss the National Sports Collectors Convention, most frequently held in Chicago, and speculate as to what other shows come close to the ...

127 - Descriptive Audio: Opening Wrestling Set Lot (with Eric Norton)

10 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Eric Norton, popular host of Beckett Media's Fat Packs podcast and wrestling aficionado, helps me evaluate a newly-arrived group of 75 recent wrestlin...

126 - Investment Fallacies: Counter-example (Geoff Wilson)

09 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Geoff Wilson's excellent podcast, Sports Card Investors, recently featured an episode entitled "20 Things New Sports Card Investors Must Know."  We c...

125 - Origin: Chris Carlin of Upper Deck

08 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Carlin, Upper Deck's Senior Manager of Customer Experience shares his hobby journey, joining Upper Deck right out of college and working his way...

124 - Interview: COMC 2020 Planning (with James Good)

07 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

James and I discuss the current COMC experience as well as what's coming in terms of innovations.  Go to COMC.com to find out more.

123 - What If: No Auction Sponsors? (with Rich Klein)

06 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I discuss the hypothetical situation whereby Heritage Auctions never moved into sports cards ; and Huggins and Scott Auctions perhaps stayed ...

122B - Player: Joe Morgan

05 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Joe Morgan, considered by Bill James as the best second baseman in history, had a long and storied career including many cards.  However his importan...

122A - Player: Bill Mazeroski

05 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Bill Mazeroski is in the Hall of Fame because of his defensive prowess at second base as well as his historic walk-off home run in the 1960 World Seri...

122 - Card Sorting 2.0 (with Rob Veres)

03 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Rob Veres (Burbank Sportscards) and I discuss strategies for effectively integrating a (very) large purchase of cards (such as the two pallets of card...

121 - What If: Heart Attack?

02 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

For this first episode of the year I have decided to share some of my near-fatal heart attack story from back on October 6, 1996.  There were timely ...

120 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 099-118

30 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We recap and review the most recent 20 episodes, since many of our listeners do not listen to every episode in linear sequence.  If you have question...

119C - Investment Fallacies: The Long Tail?

29 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

With so many (different) cards in existence doe sit seem strange that there are just a few that capture the fancy of the public.  Sales of cards in t...

119B - Investment Fallacies: Free Labor?

28 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Free labor is not always free!  What you would do without compensation (for your hobby) is frequently a task you would have to pay someone to do for ...

119A - Investment Fallacies: Flip or Hold?

28 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Strategies for when to sell a card you just bought for a good price are like opinions - everyone has one.  But there are no hard and fast rules or "b...

119 - Origin: New Year's Memories

27 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Memories and reminiscences of New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with respect to sports cards - if you want to share yours, just contact doctorjamesbec...

118 - Boxing Day

26 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Boxing Day is celebrated primarily in the UK and is not well understood in America.  Nevertheless some "boxing" stories are shared in the spirit of t...

117 - Origin: Christmas Memories

23 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Christmas memories and reflections with respect to our hobby - if you would like to share yours, contact [email protected] with your story...

116C - Investment Fallacies: Always Buy the Best?

22 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The normal thought is to buy the best condition or card you can afford - but at what cost - the "best" premium could be so outrageous as to be avoided...

116B - Investment Fallacies: Quantity Discounts?

22 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Quantity discounts vs. quantity premiums.  Bottom line: Honesty is the best policy.  Say what you mean and do what you say and your business reputat...

116A - Card Design Preferences: Stats on Card Backs (with Kevin O'Keefe)

21 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Listener Kevin O'Keefe suggests that more expanded stats on card backs would contribute to greater math understanding in students and in adults.  I w...

116 - Origin: Daryl McKay, Sports Images

20 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Daryl McKay, co-founder of Sports Images, a well-known distributor in the Northeast, shares his origin story as a precocious entrepreneur, starting fo...

115 - Origin: James Good of COMC

19 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

James and I discuss his hobby journey as a collector including his amazing recent retail pull of a 1/1 Zion Williamson.  Any questions or experiences...

114 - Dueling Stories: Back and Forth with Chris Ivy

18 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Ivy and I take turns swapping stories in this unedited conversation about finds over the years.

113 - Breaking Styles (with Dane Coenen)

17 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Dane Coene of Dynasty Breaks relates the types and styles of breaks that he most enjoys.  It is more than a matter of luck - skill is helpful too!

112 - Origin: Sports Collectors Daily (with Rich Mueller)

16 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I discuss how he started and grew Sport Collectors Daily website and daily email - four stories about sports cards/collectibles a day for mor...

111D - What If: PED's Accepted?

15 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

What if PED's (performance enhancing drugs) were suddenly undetectable (and hence perhaps indirectly acceptable)?  How would that effect the game its...

111C - What If: PSA 9.5?

15 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

What would be the positive or negative implications of PSA 9.5 cards?

111B - What If: No Redemption Cards?

14 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

What if there were no redemption cards at all (due to legal, business, or other reasons) - would that be good or bad for our industry?

111A - What If: Dallas Tornado?

14 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

What if the recent damaging Dallas tornado had hit just two miles farther north or two miles farther south?

111 - What If: No Card Company Sponsors? (with Rich Klein)

13 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Rich Klein and I discuss the hypothetical scenarios whereby Panini, Topps, and Upper Deck do not exist  at all or at least in the form they are now. ...

110 - Origin: Huggins & Scott Auctions

12 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Sponsor Bill Huggins relates the distinctives of Huggins & Scott Auctions, including their famous "treasure chest" and "shoebox" auction lots.

109 - LCS: Kid Friendliness (with Mike Fruitman)

11 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Fruitman discusses his passion for making local card shops and the hobby more kid friendly, through his successful Kids Club concept.

108 - Set: 1969 Topps Baseball (with Rich Klein)

10 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Rich Klein and I discuss memories (and the 50th anniversary) of 1969 Topps Baseball, its series, inserts, and oddities.

107 - The Burbank Edge (with Rob Veres)

09 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Rob Veres walks through some of the processes, procedures, and innovations he has employed to great advantage in the growth and success of Burbank Spo...

106C - Card Design Preferences: Sticker Autographs

08 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The case against sticker autographs ... and in defense of sticker autographs!

106B - Card Design Preferences: Be More Explicit

07 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

An encouragement for more "explicit" cards, that is, clearly spelling out slight differences in cards that can have big value implications.  After al...

106A - Card Design Preferences: Card Front Aesthetics

07 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A discussion of what makes a beautiful, well-designed card - specifically the card front in this short mini-episode: name, logo, art, color, borders, ...

106 - Card Design Preferences: Card Backs

06 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A discussion of what an ideal card back could/should look like.

105 - Card Design Preferences: Physical Aspects

05 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The physical aspects of excellent card design, including card shape, thickness, coating, embossing, etc. 

104 - Origin: Rich Mueller (Sport Collectors Daily)

04 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We hear Rich Mueller's origin story of his collecting background as well as his sports broadcasting experience, culminating with his Sports Collectors...

103 - Interview: Upper Deck 2020 Planning (with Chris Carlin)

03 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Carlin, Upper Deck's Senior Manager of Customer Experience, gives us a preview of what to expect in 2020 from Upper Deck (upperdeck.com).

102 - Tribute: Denny Eckes

02 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A tribute to my friend and former book publishing partner, Denny Eckes, and his major impacts on our industry, before his untimely passing in 1991.

101G - Card Design Preferences: More Visible Serial Numbers (with Rich Klein)

01 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I "encourage" the card companies to make the serial numbering of cards more visible, and, in general, more recognizable, without distracting ...

101F - Card Design Preferences: Facsimile Autographs (with Rich Klein)

01 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I briefly discuss the merits of having a facsimile autograph on the front of the card.

101E - Card Design Preferences: Round Corners (with Rich Klein)

01 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I discuss the discouraging difficulty of alter-ability of cards with rounded corners.

101D - Card Design Preferences: Second Photo on Front? (with Rich Klein)

30 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I discuss the merits of having a second, non-duplicitous photo on the front of the card as an additional creative element.

101C - Card Design Preferences: Player Position (with Rich Klein)

30 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I discuss how prominent the player's position should be on the card, if at all!  

101B - Card Design Preferences: Vertical vs. Horizontal? (with Rich Klein)

30 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I discuss why vertically oriented cards are more popular and present better in slabs than horizontally designed cards.

101A - Card Design Preferences: Team Names (with Rich Klein)

30 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

How prominent should the team name be on the card front.  Does the particular sport matter in this consideration?

101 - Card Design Preferences: Size (with Rich Klein)

29 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I begin a series of episodes discussing our opinions on card design preferences, beginning with a discussion of the now-standard size, 2 1/2"...

100 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 079-098

27 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I take a look back at the past twenty episodes, adding and clarifying what was talked about, in part based on your feedback.  Any feedback can be sen...

099 - Origin: Bill Huggins

26 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Sponsor Bill Huggins of Huggins & Scott Auctions joins me for a discussion of his origins within the sports collectibles industry as a collector, deal...

098 - Investment Fallacies: Counter-Example (with Jimmy Fisher)

25 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I sat down with Jimmy Fisher, part-time dealer from Tulsa, at the beginning of the last day (Sunday) of the three-day show here in the Dallas area, an...

097B - Investment Fallacies: Profit Maximization?

24 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Counter-instinctively, "Profit Maximization" is not always the best tactic or strategy, especially for long-term success in this hobby/industry.  Que...

097A - Investment Fallacies: Full-Time Best?

23 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Full-time is not necessarily better or more profitable than part-time when it comes to this hobby/industry.

097 - Investment Fallacies: Supply OR Demand

22 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I make the case that, in this hobby/industry, Demand is more important than Supply!

096 - LCS: Mike Fruitman

21 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Sponsor Mike Fruitman joins for a discussion of what's going on in his local card shop in Aurora, CO, Mike's Stadium Sportscards.

095 - Interview: Topps 2020 Planning (with Emily Kless)

20 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Emily Kless (Topps Communications Manager) lets us in on some of Topps 2020 planning in this phone interview.  

094 - Player: Walter Payton (with Dave Sliepka)

19 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We look at HOF running back Walter Payton, Dave Sliepka's favorite football player, and his cards, autographs, and memorabilia.

093 - Then and Now: SCD and Krause Publications (with Kevin Isaacson)

18 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin Isaacson and I have a phone chat (with him in Hawaii!) discussing the "then and now" aspects of SCD and Krause Publications from before Kevin go...

092 - Then and Now: Wrestling Cards (with Eric Norton)

15 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Eric and I discuss professional wrestling and wrestling cards - when we were kids, up through now.

091 - Investment Fallacies: Buy Low, Sell High

14 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Advice to "Buy Low and Sell High" sounds foolproof but there are counter-examples.

090 - Then and Now: Beckett Card Pricing with Brian Fleischer

13 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Brian Fleischer, Manager of Beckett Media's Card Pricing team and Senior Market Analyst, compares and contrasts the evolution of card pricing processe...

089 - Tribute: Larry and Jeff Fritsch (with Pepper Hastings)

12 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Pepper Hastings and I discuss our visit(s) up to Stevens Point, Wisconsin back in the day to meet with Larry and Jeff about their millions of cards - ...

088 - Origin: Veteran's Day (Lt. Beckett)

11 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

My Army officer personal story and how it intersected with my card collecting passion back in the day.

087 - Origin: BAS (Beckett Authentication Services) with Jeromy Murray

08 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jeromy and I discuss Beckett Media's big move into authenticating with the global launch of Beckett Authentication Services a few years ago.  Jeromy ...

086 - Catalog: Huggins & Scott November 14 Auction Review

07 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A review of Huggins & Scott's Auction closing November 14, 2019.  I enjoy perusing the eclectic lots (2023 lots!), some of which I will be bidding on...

085 - Tribute: Mike Gordon (with Rich Klein)

06 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A Tribute to Mike Gordon, a key contributor to our industry, show dealer, store owner, and co-promoter of the 1984 National Sports Collectors Conventi...

084 - Origin: Andy Broome, Senior Vintage Grader at BGS

05 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Andy and I discuss his hobby history and why he is so passionate about grading and authentication and vintage cards.  Long ago Andy was the principal...

083 - Players: Luis Aparicio and Luke Appling

04 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A look at two old-time Chicago White Sox shortstops - alphabetically adjacent in the Baseball Hall of Fame, coincidentally with the same initials!  F...

082 - Sponsor Review: Our Podcast Sponsors (with Eric Norton)

01 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Eric and I discuss each of this podcast's sponsors (Beckett Media, COMC, Burbank Sportscards, Mike's Stadium Sportscards, Heritage Auctions, Huggins &...

081 - Tribute: Gloria Rothstein (with Rich Klein)

31 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Gloria Rothstein, founder of the long-running, very successful card shows in White Plains and other East Coast venues, brought excellence and professi...

080 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 059-078

30 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I recap the highlights of the past 20 episodes ... in case you missed some.  As some of you may know, I listen to podcasts at 1.5X speed or faster, a...

079 - Origin: Kevin Isaacson (industry consultant)

29 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We trace Kevin's hobby journey from Krause Publications up through his many consultant engagements, including a long stint with eBay.

078 - Interview: Emily Kless (Topps Communications Manager)

28 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Emily and I have a phone conversation about her background and important role at Topps.

077 - Interview: James C.M. Beckett (My 13-year-old nephew)

25 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A first-person (past) hobby experience from my very sharp nephew.

076 - Set: 1970 Topps Baseball (with Rich Klein)

24 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

See Topps.com for more info.

075 - Then and Now: Pepper Hastings

23 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Pepper and I talk about the early days of Beckett Publications contrasted with later days, spanning more than two decades, including the true story of...

074 - Origin: Brian Fleischer, Beckett Media's Manager of Card Pricing and Senior Market Analyst

22 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

073 - Player: John Elway (with Tracy Hackler)

21 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Tracy Hackler's favorite football player is discussed - his cards, memorabilia, and peers.