Episodes

Sports card show hospitality rooms are a distant cousin of today's trade nights - Rich and I talk about the relative strengths and fun of each after-show concept.

The last part of Hobby Hotline last Saturday (check out the show in its entirety including video on YT) dealt with the growth percentages by sport that were published by eBay - and how to interpret them.

I was joined by Brad Bethune and Victor Roman for last Saturday's Hobby Hotline and the conversation ranged from the recent Industry Summit to the effects of Hurricane Ian on Florida collectors.

Rich and I explain why cards came in series back in the day - was that really simpler for collectors?  Or is today's approach better in these impatient times?

The Industry Summit in Las Vegas had record attendance from local card shop owners and online retailers this year (actually last week) - I gave a short talk of which this is an abridgement.

Today is my mom's 97th birthday - 1961 was a pivotal year in my collecting and my mom (and dad) had a big part in that - thanks mom - Happy Birthday!

A very complicated and misunderstood set that is worthy of further scrutiny.  I was a serious collector of this set collecting it in the 1970's, and one of the first collectors to do so, so I was eager to discuss with others who also love the set.

I was responding to a recent episode of Mike's Golden Age of Cardboard where he discusses (with Bluejacket66, thanks Dave!) the iconic Leaf baseball set that, in a sense, broke the color barrier, but was not a commercial success.

Carrying over from yesterday, Jim and I discuss his new venture.  I was especially interested in how there could be some positive father-son opportunities in his content creation.  And oh yes, it's my wife Diane's birthday today!

Jim Telford is starting a podcast and YouTube channel discussing vintage sports cards but also blended in some sense with his other passion for wine as a restaurant and wine bar owner in California.

Last week's Hobby Hotline show was packed as usual - you should check the show out on its entirety - every week it's different topics and frequently listener driven, which I like.

Brief recap and/or amplification of the previous 25 episodes including any second thoughts I may or may not have on the content - let me know what you like - doctorjamesbeckett@gmail.com and thanks!

TCMA put out several types of interesting sets, old-timers, minor leaguers, etc.  Very collectable now, but Rich and I discuss those early forgotten days.  Thanks Rich.

Most of last Saturday's call-in live show centered on Albert Pujpls 700th homer the day before and what was going to happen to "the ball" and his cards.

Rich and I reminisce about base-stealer extraordinaire Maury Wills and his best cards, several of which are quite challenging - Maury made the game more exciting!

Send your questions or comments to doctorjamesbeckett@gmail.com and hopefully I can address them in a future episode - thanks!

My seventh installment of seven questions answered about the sports cards hobby and this podcast from my listening friends.

Lately on more than one occasion I have bought the whole dollar box - you bring the cards home and then the fun (and work) begins.

It's my dad's 97th birthday today - we're having dinner with him and my mom this evening - but reminded me how I came to ponder the hobby phenomenon of high numbers.

With all the recent publicity and world record prices for cards, I have seen a big uptick in friends calling me about wanting to sell their sports card collections for big bucks.

I won the lot in their latest auction and had great fun opening 60 blasters, hangers, and jumbos.  I got a big surprise in one of the packs - that's why we all love opening packs!

The third and final part of our enjoyable conversation.  Look forward to seeing him (and many of you) at the National in Chicago next summer (2023).

The final (for now) exchange of sports card hobby questions between Michael and me - we are both looking for constructive ways to make the hobby better.

Mike's chance to turn the tables on me with his hobby questions - but we both saw the hobby up close for the past three decades and more.