Dr. James Beckett: Sports Card Insights
Episodes
070 - Interview: David Poole, BGS Grader Trainer
16 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
David and I discuss the enjoyment of his career over the past twenty years at BGS, including his current role training the new potential graders comin...
069 - Tribute: Dan Dischley, Founder of The Trader Speaks
15 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Dan Dischley was the Founder, Editor, and Publisher of The Trader Speaks, the leading monthly publication in the hobby beginning in 1968. Dan was al...
068 - Sponsor Review: Fat Packs Sponsors (with Eric Norton)
14 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Eric and I discuss podcast sponsorship, especially his sponsors and how they work well together.
067 - Tribute: Ace Marchant (with Rich Klein)
11 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Ace Marchant, college professor (Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology) and National sports collectibles dealer, passed away a few years ago. Rich and I ...
066 - Origin: Pepper Hastings
10 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Pepper was one of the first full-time non-family employees for Beckett Publications, coming in summer of 1986, and served well in a multiplicity of le...
065 - Hockey Box Reviews: 2019-20 Upper Deck Artifacts and 2019-20 Upper Deck O-Pee-Chee
09 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
2019-20 Upper Deck hockey products are opened and discussed - Artifacts and O-Pee-Chee - contrasted and evaluated. Plus a conundrum: buying a young ...
064 - Interview: Heritage Sports Auctions (with Chris Ivy)
08 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Chris and I discuss the growth and success of Heritage Sports Auctions.
063 - Pre-Tribute: Jane Beckett (my mom)
07 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
I have an unscripted and unedited conversation with my outstanding 94-year-old mom on her birthday.
062 - Pre-Tribute: Diane Beckett (my awesome wife on her birthday)
04 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
I discuss the many wise ways my wonderful wife Diane has contributed to this podcast, especially in its formation, structure, and delivery.
061 - Interview: Panini (with Tracy Hackler)
03 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A discussion with Tracy Hackler about Panini's sports card products and philosophies.
060 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 039-058
02 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We recap and comment on our episodes 039-058 incorporating listener feedback and my second thoughts over the past four weeks.
059 - Player: Albert Pujols (with Rich Klein)
01 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A look at Albert Pujols career and cards.
058 - International Podcast Day: Other Sports Card Podcasts
30 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Free-lance writer Brian Flinn and I discuss the other excellent sports card podcasts being produced - as podcasting in general continues to increase a...
057 - Interview: Chris Ivy, Heritage Sports Auctions
27 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A discussion with Chris Ivy, how he got started in this industry, and how he spearheaded the move of coin auction giant, Heritage, into sports cards a...
056 - Interview: Tracy Hackler, Panini
26 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Tracy Hackler sits down and discusses his hobby history including two stints at Beckett Publications, now the digital face of Panini America Sports.
055 - Football Box Reviews: 2019 Panini Black, 2019 Panini XR, and 2019 Panini Absolute
25 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Tracy Hackler (of Panini - PaniniAmerica.net) was kind enough to bring over some boxes of Panini football products recently released. Opening and de...
054 - Tribute: Patty Young (with Dave Sliepka)
24 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Patty Young, the effervescent co-host of the Kit (and Patty) Young Hawaii Trade Show as well as the exclusive Maui extension, took those events to new...
053 - Set: 1990-91 Hoops Basketball
23 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
1990-91 Hoops Basketball was the second-year product from the NBA's official card producer.
052 - Pre-Tribute: James Beckett Jr. (my dad)
20 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
I enjoy interviewing my dad on his 94th birthday about his card collecting and business management background - some of the blessings I received from ...
051 - Set: 1989-90 Hoops Basketball (with Rich Klein)
19 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Hoops was the official card of the NBA; this is a review of this first set from Hoops, including the anticipated debut of David Robinson.
050 - Then and Now: Baseball Hobby News (with Rich Klein)
18 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Rich Klein and I discuss the importance of Baseball Hobby News, as a pace-setting hobby newspaper tabloid from 1979 through the '90's. Frank and Viv...
049 - Then and Now: The Ideal Sports Card Store (with Rich Klein)
17 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Rich and I discuss how sports card stores and shops have evolved over the years.
048 - Issue: Nuanced Nepotism
16 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Examining nepotism in professional sports, kid sports, and in business, specifically Beckett Publications back in 1984.
047 - Newbie: First Visit to a Card Show (with Rich Klein)
13 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Rich and I I discuss what it would be like to attend your first card show as a new collector.
046 - Newbie: First Visit to a Card Store (with Rich Klein)
12 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Rich and I discuss what it would be like for a newbie to visit a card store, what to look for and what to avoid.
045 - Then and Now: 9/11 and Travel (with Rich Klein)
11 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Rich Klein and I discuss where we were on 9/11/01 and how it affected us, our company, our industry, and our American culture.
044 - Origin: Beckett Magazine Policies (with Jay Johnson)
10 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jay Johnson, subject of Episode 034, turns the tables, asking questions about why Beckett Publications did things the way we did, frequently counter-i...
043 - Issue: National Buying Strategies (with Rich Klein)
09 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Some strategies for buying cards at the National Sports Collectors Convention depending on your objectives. Wandering the floor? Systematic or Ran...
042 - Origin: Podcasting (with Eric Norton)
06 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A conversation with Eric Norton, voice of Fat Packs, Beckett Media's excellent weekly (every Thursday) podcast, about different approaches to and inne...
041 - Box Review: 2019 Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball (with Rich Klein)
05 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Rich Klein and I open a box each of 2019 Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball (courtesy of Dane Coenen of Dynasty Breaks) and discuss and enjoy what we got.
040 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 019-038
04 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We recap the past four weeks of episodes including the reflections and feedback of readers. The month's most popular episodes were in hindsight rela...
039 - Descriptive Audio: Rich Klein's Adat Chaverim Show
03 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
I walk through Rich Klein's famous Labor Day Adat Chaverim synagogue show and describe my experience for those of you not here. Starting with the dr...
038 - Origin: Labor Days
30 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Beckett recounts his Labor Day experiences, with emphasis on "labor", between 1979 and 1996, also announcing that there will be no episode release...
037 - Interview: Me by Mike Fruitman
29 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Mike Fruitman turns the tables and interviews me about my 1980 co-ownership of a local Dallas card store as well as other reminiscences in response to...
036 - Tribute: Wayne Varner (with Rich Klein)
28 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
National sports card dealer Wayne Varner of Shoebox Cards in the Pittsburgh area recently passed away after an extended illness. He was a stalwart o...
035 - Then and Now: Sorting Cards
27 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Different ways to sort cards.
034 - Interview: Jay Johnson
26 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A visit with Jay Johnson, our 13th employee hired at Beckett Publications, who worked in a variety of leadership roles for us from 1989-1999, includin...
033 - Interview: Dane Coenen, Dynasty Breaks
23 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A visit with Dane Coenen of Dynasty Breaks, discussing the joys of breaking from his and his particular community's perspective. More info at www.dy...
032 - Interview: Eric Norton, Fat Packs
22 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Leading podcaster Eric Norton of Fat Packs shares his origin story including a stint with the Seattle Mariners. His main current responsibility is h...
031 - Interview: Burbank Sportscards
21 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A discussion with Rob Veres about the iterations of Burbank Sportcards, home of 43,000,000 databased cards, readily accessible for collectors completi...
030 - Then and Now: Technology (with Tim Getsch)
20 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The history of technology and computer programming in the sports card industry - a discussion between Tim and Jim. COMC's website is conveniently CO...
029 - Interview: Mike's Stadium Sportscards
19 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Mike Fruitman of Mike's Stadium Sportscards in Aurora, Colorado discusses his store and the benefits of local card stores.
028 - Interview: Dave Sliepka
16 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Dave Sliepka is a versatile hobby veteran, who has worked for or with most of the significant companies in the industry in a variety of roles with dis...
027 - Interview: Stephan Loeffler, About the Cards
15 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We have a pleasant phone conversation with Stephan Loeffler, COMC Identification Tech, and co-host of the popular video podcast, About the Cards, avai...
026 - Tribute: Dan Even (with Rich Klein)
14 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Dan Even unfortunately passed away during the National Sports Collectors Convention after a long illness. He was a pleasant and delightful friend an...
025 - Upcoming Shows: Watters Creek and Adat Chaverim (with Rich Klein)
13 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Rich and I compare and contrast two upcoming shows. First we discuss Kyle Robertson's upcoming larger (300 tables) Allen (suburb of Dallas) show at ...
024 - Issue: Card Trimming
12 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A controversial issue perhaps not well understood.
023 - Interview: Rob Veres
09 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Rob Veres, founder of Burbank Sportscards of Burbank, California, shares his origin story coming from pre-teen coin collecting roots, along with his c...
022 - Interview: Tim Getsch
08 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Tim Getsch, Founder and CEO of COMC.com, airs his hobby origin story. Spoiler alert: We both love data!
021 - Interview: Mike Fruitman
07 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Mike Fruitman of Mike's Stadium Sportscards of Aurora, Colorado, shares his personal hobby origin story.
020 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 000-018
06 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Listener feedback and reaction to the first three weeks of this podcast garnered at last week's National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago.
019 - Recap: National Sports Collectors Convention 2019
05 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Recapping the very successful National Sports Collectors Convention (40th Annual!) just held in Chicago.
018 - Player: Tom Seaver (with Rich Klein)
02 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
017 - Issue: Shill Bidding
01 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
016 - Tribute: Bruce Paynter (with Rich Klein)
31 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
015 - Top Ten: Huggins & Scott August Auction Catalog
30 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Ten interesting items from this catalog and commentary on the potential stories behind those items. See hugginsandscott.com for more info.
014 - Interview: Me by Rich Klein
29 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Rich Klein turns the tables and interviews me.
013 - Origin: Card Flipping
26 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Five flipping games played as a kid.
012 - Tribute: Mike Berkus (with Rich Klein)
25 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Mike Berkus, co-founder of the annual National Sports Collectors Convention, now in its 40th year, was a force in the industry, always seeming to be n...
011 - Box Review: 2019 Panini Prizm Baseball and 2019 Panini Luminance Football
24 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
See paniniamerica.net for more info.
010 - Set: 1989 Upper Deck Baseball (with Rich Klein)
23 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Please consider our fine sponsors: Beckett Media, Beckett Grading Services, Beckett Authentication Services (all at beckett.com), Burbank Sportscards ...
009 - Box Review: 2019 Panini Elements Football and 2019 Donruss Optic Baseball
22 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A review of two products, which have been out for a month or two, including pricing and availability in the secondary market. See paniniamerica.net fo...
008 - Set: 1989 Score Football (with Rich Klein)
19 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Score's inaugural football card set!
007 - Player: Tom Brady
18 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A closer look at some of Tom Brady RC's. See beckett.com for more info.
006 - Tribute: Mike and Jerry Hersh (with Rich Klein)
17 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A fond look at two gone-too-soon friends, father and son, who made an impact on the hobby and on us.
005 - Player: Roberto Clemente
16 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A walk through the Beckett OPG noting some of Roberto's toughest cards. See beckett.com for more info.
004 - Then and Now: The National Sports Collectors Convention (with Rich Klein)
15 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Please consider our fine sponsors: Beckett Media, Beckett Grading Services, Beckett Authentication Services (all at beckett.com), Burbank Sportscards ...
003 - Top Tens: Great Items from the July 2019 Heritage Sports Auction Catalog
09 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Heritage's July catalog is a work of art, full of great items. Dr. Beckett picks ten items he would love to have in his collection as well as ten he...
002 - Interview: Rich Klein (First guest and consummate, veteran card collecting expert)
09 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
001 - Origin: Collector (How I got started - my first card!)
09 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
000 - Why? (I explain why I am looking forward to doing this podcast now)
09 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas