Episodes

Jan. 22, 2022

669 - Interview: Ryan Stuczynski, GemRate

Ryan Stuczynski shares his hobby origin story, resulting in his founding of GemRate, which has been steadily gaining traction in the world of making sense of pop reports and grading capacity/velocity.  Thanks Ryan.

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 21, 2022

668 - Origin: Ted Barker, Beckett Media

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

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 20, 2022

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

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 renaissance of the hobby in the past two years.  Thanks Ryan.

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 20, 2022

663 - The Sporting News, with Ryan Fagan

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 was faithfully subscribed in my early days in this hobby.

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 19, 2022

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

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) - thanks TS and thanks Rich!

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 18, 2022

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

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 days of Beckett Publications.  Thanks Dane.

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 17, 2022

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

Rich and I break down the various Pacific hockey products that year: Aurora, Crown Royale, Dynagon Ice, Pacific (their flagship), and Paramount.  Unfortunately missing info were Omega and Revolution.  Thanks Mike Cramer!

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 14, 2022

662 - Dueling Questions with Kin Kinsley

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

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 13, 2022

661 - Dueling Questions 3.0 with Dane Coenen, Dynasty Breaks

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 aspects.  Thanks Dane!

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 12, 2022

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

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 our great hobby.

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 11, 2022

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

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 follow him - find out why?

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 10, 2022

658 - 1998 Pacific Football Brand Analysis, with Rich Klein

Rich and I review and explain the Pacific official production and distribution spreadsheets for the following 1998 Pacific football sub-brands: Aurora, Crown Royale, Omega, Paramount, and Revolution.  We were surprised and you probably will be too.

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 8, 2022

657 - Tribute: Dan Reeves

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 for my visitors to see and have memories evoked.

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 7, 2022

656 - Tribute: John Clemens

John Clemens, veteran 1957 Topps baseball collector, minor league PA announcer, and all-around good guy passed away a few weeks ago from Multiple Myeloma.  Our condolences to his family - he is missed!

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 6, 2022

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

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 self-published artistic set of Baseball Greats from 1983 - Thanks TS and thanks Rich!

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 5, 2022

654 - Fanatics Buys Topps!

Michael Rubin, Fanatics primary owner, has moved very quickly again, strategically buying the trading card division of Topps for a reported $500 million - here's my take on the potential after-effects.

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 4, 2022

653 - Origin: Kin Kinsley

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!

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 3, 2022

652 - 1999 Pacific Baseball Brand Analysis, with Rich Klein

Rich and I review official production and distribution figures for the following 1999 Pacific Baseball products: Aurora, Crown Collection, Crown Royale, Invincible, Omega, Paramount, Prism, Private Stock, and Revolution.

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 1, 2022

651 - New Year’s Day Musings

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

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 31, 2021

650 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 624-648

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.  Thanks!

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 30, 2021

649 - Tribute: John Madden

John Madden at 85 has passed - iconic in American sports in several ways, outstanding NFL coach, popular broadcaster, and his Madden video game longevity.  Thanks for making football entertaining for all.

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 29, 2021

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

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.  Encouraged by the early indications of key participants.

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 28, 2021

647 - Out-Takes on Upper Deck, Marketing, and MINT Collective from Ho…

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 show last Saturday morning.

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 27, 2021

646 - The Tiger Woods Event, with Pepper Hastings

Pepper represented our company (well) at this amazing never-repeated hobby event years ago with prime Tiger Woods - Pepper shares his insights - you will wish the sports card hobby had more events like that.  Thanks Upper Deck!

Listen to the Episode