Dr. James Beckett: Sports Card Insights

743 - Out-Takes from Ryan Nolan’s show

03 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Most of Ryan's show involved my "show and tell" of a few interesting cards - this is a brief segment more suited to our audio format as our conversati...

742 - 1981 Fleer Baseball, with Rich Klein

02 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I talk about the re-birth of Fleer baseball (current player) cards back in 1981 (not a terrible start all things considered) and how Fleer ha...

741 - Interview: Grayson White, Cherry, Australia

29 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I met Grayson at the MINT Collective and heard about all the good things happening for the sports card hobby in Australia and his interesting business...

740 - Selling Small Sets, with Rich Klein

28 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What is the best way to optimize or maximize the sale of a 30-card set that lists for $5?  Rich and I compare strategies and expectations and downsid...

739 - Eight Listener Questions

27 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Questions keep coming in - send yours to [email protected] - now trying to answer or comment on eight recent questions or comments in my 1...

738 - The Greatest Hobby, with Kirt BHS

26 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Brutally Honest Kirt challenged my assertion (or presumption) that sports card collecting is the greatest hobby in the world - how's that for hyperbol...

737 - Resealed Cases and Non-Grading, with Skepi

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A couple of topics we thoughtfully considered - both of which can have a huge impact on the high-end sports card hobby/industry - thanks Skepi!

736 - Kids Marketing Ideas, with Jeff Hoferer, Panini Hobby Marketing Director

22 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I threw out some ideas about kids and then we ran with it for a while - we both agree that more kids in the sports card hobby is better - kid's crate ...

735 - Torsten Bauer Questions

21 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Torsten regularly sends me his thoughts, and he has been my guest several times via Zoom from Germany - these are his latest sports card questions and...

734 - Out-Takes on Team USA from Hobby Hotline 031222

20 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Brad Bethune TXCardDude and Chris Harris StaleGum were my co-hosts for last month's live call-in Hobby Hotline show - the conversation about Team USA ...

733 - Brutally Honest Constructive Criticism, with Kirt BHS

19 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kirt had a list of specific constructive criticisms, which I did my best to address both from a current and historical perspective.  He's an excellen...

732 - Card Ladder Commentary, with Skepi

18 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Skepi and I discuss Card Ladder with a special focus on the future, of what it is now and what it could become.  The fact that it started out basketb...

731 - Interview: Jeff Hoferer, Panini Hobby Marketing Director

15 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Great opportunity for me and others to hear Jeff's story, as he is following after hobby stalwart Tracy Hackler (now road-showing!) - but Jeff has ple...

730 - Out-Takes on Product Delays from Hobby Hotline 031222

14 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Trying to make sense of production release schedules and delays has become the rule rather than an exception - this segment discusses the rippling fru...

729 - Interview: Kirt from Brutally Honest Sales

13 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kirt had many questions for me, but we started by unpacking his "brutally honest" trade name, after which we dug deep on some serious sports card hobb...

728 - Conversation with Joe Orlando, Collectable’s new President Sports

12 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Joe and I sat down together at the MINT Collective for a one-on-one - which believe it or not we had never done back in the day when we were both CEO'...

727 - Conversation with Josh Luber, Fanatics, Part 2

11 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The final part of my wide-ranging conversation with Josh - special thanks to Ray Schulte for helping make it happen, Chris Corbellini of Collectable f...

726 - Conversation with Josh Luber, Fanatics

08 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Josh and I sat down in the Collectable Podcast studio (sorry, not fully sound-proofed) at the MINT Collective in Las Vegas and just talked about the s...

725 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 699-723

07 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The last twenty-five episodes filled with sports card insights in case you missed some (or I mis-spoke) - these recaps are another way for me to conti...

724 - Out-Takes on MINT Collective from Collectable Live, with Jeremy Lee

06 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jeremy Lee interviewed me for more than an hour about the MINT Collective and Collectable's interesting coming-soon IPO's - check out his whole YouT...

723 - Panini Basketball Box Battle

05 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jeff Hoferer, Panini's Hobby Marketing Director, sent over three different boxes of this year's basketball product - in spite of a strong pull from th...

722 - Out-Takes from MojoBreak, with Doug Caskey and Cody Pasby

04 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Doug, Cody, and I took a time-out at the MINT Collective and recorded this podcast directly from the show floor - thanks guys - keep up the great work...

721 - Faux Sponsor: Super Vision

01 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

First a word about the importance of excellent vision and pattern recognition in the sports card hobby and then an interesting application of a medica...

720 - Out-Takes from Today’s Collector, with Jeremy Lee, Part 2

31 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This Today's Collector interview (the full version) was released on YouTube leading up to the MINT Collective and was an effort to share different sty...

719 - Dueling Questions 2.0, with Jake Roy

30 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We kept the recorder going since I had a few additional basketball card questions for Jake and unsurprisingly he had a few extras for me as well - tha...

718 - MINT Collective Aftermath, with Joel Belfer, Mint Condition

29 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Joel and I sat down near the end of the ground-breaking, first event of its kind, MINT Collective, in Las Vegas, and we share our perspective on the s...

717 - Out-Takes from Today’s Collector, with Jeremy Lee

28 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today's Collector is found on the MINT Collective YouTube Channel - this is a small part of my interview that ran there in its entirety a few weeks ag...

716 - Topps/Bowman Inception Box Battle

25 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Two similar but different baseball boxes - one slightly more expensive even with less autographs promised - both seven cards in the one pack which is ...

715 - Upper Deck Hockey Box Battle

24 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I compare Upper Deck Hockey Series One with O-Pee-Chee - both fine hockey products - I preferred O-Pee-Chee based on my collecting approach but UD Ser...

714 - Interview: Marty Appel, Part 2

23 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Marty's interview went into overtime as we traded stories and reminiscences about the good old days of primarily baseball, and first and foremost for ...

713 - Dueling Questions, with Jake Roy

22 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As you would expect from Jake, mostly basketball questions from him, and I gave him my best historical recollections.  History does not always repeat...

712 - Mantle vs. Mays, with Rich Klein

21 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I analyze the age-old battle between Mantle and Mays and the demand for their cards - what are the key factors determining why Mantle has bec...

711 - Spotting Fakes, with Ryan Nolan

18 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ryan's latest book is very helpful and recommended (and cheap insurance against getting burned) - it seems everyone eventually has an encounter with a...

710 - Interview: Marty Appel

17 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Marty was the long-time PR Director for the New York Yankees and has lots of stories about Mantle and other Yankee stalwarts.  He also has written 24...

709 - Tom Brady Un-Retirement Effect?

16 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tom Brady has un-retired - celebration - confusion - certainly more upside than downside in the football card hobby, as Tom can add to his career stat...

708 - Origin: Jake Roy

15 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jake Roy shares his sports card (mostly basketball) origin story - I'd like to say Jake is typical for guys his age, but no, he's more passionate!

707 - Selling Out Your Table, with Rich Klein

14 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rich sold all his cards at the last show and shares his feelings after the fact - it was a premeditated sale and we will see how long it takes Rich to...

706 - Identity and Wall Maintenance, with John Keating, That Seventies Card Show

11 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Does the sports card hobby have identity issues - how healthy would we say it is?  Plus, what it takes to get kicked off my card wall, or at least qu...

705 - Hockey Card Shows, with Ken Capell

10 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Would you attend a single-sport card show - I certainly would - assuming I loved that particular sport - I appreciate shows that have a known establis...

704 - Origin: Ryan Nolan

09 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Young Ryan Nolan has a great story, being a (vintage!) collector from his earliest memories - however in spite of his youth he has published a book, S...

703 - My eBay Learning Experience

08 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I started selling some lots on eBay and, although bucking some conventional wisdom, am enjoying the experience, and it has converted a bunch of cards ...

702 - Ways to Collect, with Kevin O’Keefe

07 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin sent me eight thematic ways he collects and displays sports cards and I commented as to whether I did it that way or some other way as we had so...

701 - First BGS Slab and Roberto Clemente, with John Keating, That Seventies Card Show

04 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

John had saved up some questions for me and I did my best to answer them - the problem with the past can be that it was a long time ago, and he stumpe...

700 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 674-698

03 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The last five weeks of daily podcasts in a very brief summary format in case you missed a few, plus additional insights that have come up in the inter...

699 - Seven Listener Questions 6.0

02 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Seven more sports card hobby questions from the email bag - thanks and send yours to [email protected] and thank you very much!

698 - Hockey Dueling Questions with Ken Capell

01 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ken and I swapped questions and answers all about hockey card collecting, including how, when, and why the Beckett Hockey monthly magazine got started...

697 - Marketing to Kids, with Kevin O’Keefe

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin is a third-grade teacher and we continued our robust discussion about how to get kids more involved in this great sports card hobby.

696 - Distribution and Mike Schechter, with John Keating, That Seventies Card Show

25 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

John and I interviewed each other, commenting and following up on topics discussed on our mutual past podcast episodes, starting off with the plight o...

695 - Hobby Hotline Dynamics, with Brad Bethune and Rich Klein

24 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of a hobby content event - especially a live twice-weekly call-in video show with rotating multiple, eclect...

694 - Interview: Jay Baker, Yankees Exhibition, Part 2

23 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jay Baker, former CEO of Kohl's, specialized 26 years ago on meaningful memorabilia from the five iconic players of his favorite team, the New York Ya...

693 - Seven Listener Questions 5.0

22 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Another seven - always different - always surprised - thanks for your sports card hobby questions and comments - keep them coming - and send to doctor...

692 - Out-Takes on eBay Authentication from Hobby Hotline 020522

21 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

John Newman and Jeff Dinson were my co-hosts on this recent Hobby Hotline, where we discussed, along with live commenters, the roll-out of this eBay A...

691 - NBA Trade Deadline Deals

18 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Anything newsworthy can have an effect on card sales and prices - changing teams especially - hobby love is stronger with certain cities and franchise...

690 - Pro Football Hall of Fame Class 2022

17 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Those selected each year sometimes see a bump in their card values and interest - however this year some of the non-selectees were just as hot, likely...

689 - Interview: Jay Baker, Yankees Exhibition

16 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jay has the best memorabilia collection in the world for the Yankees' Big Five: Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, and Jeter - currently on exhibit at Ar...

688 - Seven Listener Questions 4.0

15 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I  accumulated another seven questions from a variety of sources - please send your sports card hobby questions to [email protected]  and...

687 - Luber Manifesto Reaction

14 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Josh Luber's epic paper on the hobby/industry deserves a read (and a re-read).  Eager to see how Fanatics tries to take our hobby/industry to the nex...

686 - Interview: Ryan Stuczynski, GemRate, Part 3

11 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The third and final installment of my interview with Ryan - I was curious about his business model and his technical prowess and where he will be a in...

685 - Interview: John Bello, Former President, NFL Properties, Part 2, with Bill Chandler

10 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The second half of my catch-up with John Bello on the early days of the football card boom plus some insights from Hawaii's Mr. Pro Bowl, Bill Chandle...

684 - Out-Takes on Processing Bad News from Hobby Hotline 011522

09 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Stimulated by an insightful comment/question from Victor Roman Sr. during this live show, we addressed it briefly then, and I have added in some furth...

683 - Dallas Card Show Distinctives, with Brad Bethune and Rich Klein

08 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Brad, Rich, and I are regulars at Kyle Robertson's every-other month big card show at Watters Creek in the DFW Metroplex - we reflect on why the show ...

682 - Upper Deck Box Battle: MVP Hockey vs. AEW Wrestling

07 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This was the most one-sided box battle that I can remember - a truly shocking result that was completely unexpected - thanks Upper Deck!

681 - Tom Brady Retirement Effect?

05 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What happens to Brady's cards now that he is officially retired?  Are any of his cards currently undervalued?  What is the upside for the next five ...

680 - Interview: John Bello, Former President, NFL Properties

04 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

John Bello presided over the spectacular growth in the football card category back in the late 1980's and early 1990's - he gave Lud Denny his shot wi...

679 - Dueling Questions 2.0, with Dustin Cooley, Personal Finance Dad

03 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dustin and I kept going with our sports card hobby questions - many what-if's and hypotheticals from me - and his several questions for me were not to...

678 - Aftermath: Breaking Cardboard, with John Newman and young friends

02 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This Breaking Cardboard show featured young teen and pre-teen collectors (and future of the hobby): Brody the Kid, Jacob Burris, BlakeDown, and Max an...

677 - Fanatics Decisions, with Ted Barker, Beckett Media

01 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's not second-guessing if decisions have not been made yet.  Based on our combined hobby experiences, Ted and I project the impact of Fanatics on o...

676 - Out-Takes from Off Centered, with Brad Jarryd and Dustin Cooley

31 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dustin and Brad invited me to be on their hour-long live YouTube show - catch the whole thing, but this is just a short excerpt of how it went - they ...

675 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 649-673

29 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A brief synopsis of the past twenty-five episodes - I get a chance to reflect on what I'd like to add and some of you get a chance to hear a little ab...

674 - Interview: Ryan Stuczynski, GemRate, Part 2

28 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

GemRate has earned a place in the hobby in a short time - by bringing data analytic capabilities to pop reports - thanks Ryan for your free GemRate e-...

673 - Industry Events with Ted Barker, Beckett Media

27 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Industry veteran Ted Barker discusses exciting current trends in trading card industry events - not just card shows any more - lots more to offer!

672 - Dueling Questions with Dustin Cooley, Personal Finance Dad

26 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dustin has been a guest here before and has his own YouTube show - but this was a chance for us to exchange questions with each other about the hobby ...

671- Out-Takes on Opening Unopened from Hobby Hotline 011522

25 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Should you open your box of sports card product immediately or wait a while? - or flip it unopened?  This dilemma repeats itself every day in the mod...

670 - 1981 Donruss Baseball, with Rich Klein

24 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I break down the enigmatic 1981 Donruss baseball card product, which was rushed to market, and hence not their best product in hindsight, and...

669 - Interview: Ryan Stuczynski, GemRate

22 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ryan Stuczynski shares his hobby origin story, resulting in his founding of GemRate, which has been steadily gaining traction in the world of making s...

668 - Origin: Ted Barker, Beckett Media

21 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Industry veteran, Ted Barker, shares his sports card hobby journey experience, having worked for many of the key players in the industry, now serving ...

667 - 1987 Topps Baseball, Part 2, with Ryan Fagan, The Sporting News

20 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ryan and I continued our discussion of the mysterious allure of 1987 Topps baseball cards, and how that product has played some role in the renaissanc...

663 - The Sporting News, with Ryan Fagan

20 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ryan Fagan, senior baseball writer for The Sporting News, joins me for a discussion of the historical importance of that weekly tabloid, to which I wa...

666 - Dueling Questions with TS O’Connell and Rich Klein

19 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We had a three-person question session that was fun with three old-timers reminiscing about the good old days of the hobby (when it really was a hobby...

665 - Dueling Questions 4.0, with Dane Coenen, Dynasty Breaks

18 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dane and I don't seem to run out of questions for each other.  I am curious about his Dynasty Breaks business and he wants to know about the good old...

664 - 1998-99 Pacific Hockey Brand Analysis, with Rich Klein

17 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I break down the various Pacific hockey products that year: Aurora, Crown Royale, Dynagon Ice, Pacific (their flagship), and Paramount.  Unf...

662 - Dueling Questions with Kin Kinsley

14 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kin and I trade questions about the sports card hobby we have both pursued intensely for many decades - thanks Kin!

661 - Dueling Questions 3.0 with Dane Coenen, Dynasty Breaks

13 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dane Coenen of Dynasty Breaks is back for a third round of Dueling Questions with me about the sports card hobby and more specifically the business as...

660 - Tribute: Bob Lemke, with TS O’Connell and Rich Klein

12 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Hobby icon and pioneer Bob Lemke has been gone (but not forgotten) for the past five years.  We discuss his three huge contributions to the growth of...

659 - 1987 Topps Baseball, with Ryan Fagan, The Sporting News

11 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rich Klein introduced me to Ryan, who has had a long-time special interest in 1987 Topps baseball cards - which is apparently shared by many who follo...

658 - 1998 Pacific Football Brand Analysis, with Rich Klein

10 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I review and explain the Pacific official production and distribution spreadsheets for the following 1998 Pacific football sub-brands: Aurora...

657 - Tribute: Dan Reeves

08 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Popular player and coach, Dan Reeves has passed away, due to complications with dementia - his rookie card is a proud member of my Card Wall of Fame f...

656 - Tribute: John Clemens

07 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

John Clemens, veteran 1957 Topps baseball collector, minor league PA announcer, and all-around good guy passed away a few weeks ago from Multiple Myel...

655 - Origin: TS O’Connell, Editor, SCD, with Rich Klein

06 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

TS has worn many hats in this hobby/industry - many know him as the former editor of Sports Collectors Digest - but we first recognized him for his se...

654 - Fanatics Buys Topps!

05 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Rubin, Fanatics primary owner, has moved very quickly again, strategically buying the trading card division of Topps for a reported $500 milli...

653 - Origin: Kin Kinsley

04 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We hear from Kin about his sports card hobby origin story - pretty consistent over the decades and still enjoying the ride.  Thanks Kin for sharing!

652 - 1999 Pacific Baseball Brand Analysis, with Rich Klein

03 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and I review official production and distribution figures for the following 1999 Pacific Baseball products: Aurora, Crown Collection, Crown Royal...

651 - New Year’s Day Musings

01 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Some random sports card hobby thoughts, resolutions, directions, and insights for the coming year - Let's make 2022 the best year yet.

650 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 624-648

31 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A brief recap of the past 25 episodes over the last month in case you missed some - plus I sometimes think of some additional insights to share.  Tha...

649 - Tribute: John Madden

30 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

John Madden at 85 has passed - iconic in American sports in several ways, outstanding NFL coach, popular broadcaster, and his Madden video game longev...

648 - MINT Collective, with Ezra Levine, CEO of Collectable

29 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Co-founder Ezra Levine explains why he is so bullish on our industry and this upcoming high-end trade event in Las Vegas at the end of January.  Enco...

647 - Out-Takes on Upper Deck, Marketing, and MINT Collective from Hobby Hotline 121821

28 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jeremy Lee and Jason Dean Martin had wide ranging discussions of these sports card hobby topics - excerpted from the live call-in Hobby Hotline video ...

646 - The Tiger Woods Event, with Pepper Hastings

27 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Pepper represented our company (well) at this amazing never-repeated hobby event years ago with prime Tiger Woods - Pepper shares his insights - you w...

645 - Christmas Musings

25 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Some thoughts on this joyous season and how we express it - we have much to be thankful for - and yet we are all hoping 2022 will be even better.

644 - Questions from JP Cohen, Memory Lane

24 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

JP had some extemporaneous questions for me about the sports card hobby we both love - especially vintage baseball - thanks JP.