Episodes

Jan. 30, 2020

141 - Vintage Dinner Convo: Collection Narratives

A round-table discussion about collection narratives at our recent vintage  sports hobby dinner.  Besides me, the other voices you hear are Tim Getsch at 0:00, Jordan Hagedorn at 1:05, Stephan Loeffler at 3:05, Jordan Hagedorn at 4:05, Rich Klein at 5:15...

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 29, 2020

140 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 119-138

We recap the past twenty-plus episodes (#119-138) for those of you who selectively listen.  Send feedback to doctorjamesbeckett@gmail.com if you have questions or suggestions.

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 28, 2020

139 - Vintage Dinner Convo: Definition of Vintage

Where does vintage end in terms of the year - 1980? - 1973? - 1960? - 1945?  Assuming you recognize my voice, others attending spoke and contributed as follows: David Porter at 0:45, Leon Luckey at 1:05, Shane Leonard at 2:40, Tim Getsch at 3:00, Shane L...

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 27, 2020

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

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 questions or comments about this or any other episode, just email me at doctorjamesbeckett@gmail.com with ...

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 26, 2020

137D - Tribute: Kobe Bryant

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

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 25, 2020

137C - Modern Dinner Convo: Soccer Cards

A round-table discussion on the aspirational promise of the soccer card market from the recent modern hobby dinner.  You probably can recognize my voice by now, but others weighing in are Joe Davis at 0:00, Dave Sliepka at 1:10, Rich Klein at 1:55, Brian...

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 25, 2020

137B - Modern Dinner Convo: Price Guide Anomalies

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 are Brian Fleischer at 0:10, Tim Getsch at 1:20, Brian Fleischer at 3:20, Rich Klein at 3:40, Brians Fle...

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 25, 2020

137A - Annual Hobby Dinners/Conversations

Over the next two weeks I will be releasing several episodes unpacking the conversations which took place around our big board table over dinner.  Please forgive the poor audio, but I believe the candid, unpredictable conversation (among the 15 or 16 hob...

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 24, 2020

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

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 pre-sale considerations and concessions.  I knew what I was retiring from, but not perfectly what I was re...

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 23, 2020

136 - Set: 1990 Score Football

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 providing collectors multiple versions and depictions of their favorite players.

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 22, 2020

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

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 fill that void.  If you have a "what if" concept you would like considered, contact doctorjamesbeckett@gmai...

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 21, 2020

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

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 of '50's or '60's Topps cards for sale indicates "Hall of Famers" included, you would be hoping they are n...

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 20, 2020

133 - Player: Jackie Robinson

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 Baseball back in 1947 and then went on to a Hall of Fame career.  His cards, especially his two rookie ca...

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 18, 2020

132B - Issue: MLK Day

Racial harmony is important.  I have not always taken MLK Day seriously, but recently in my retirement I have hosted black/white friendship dinners, which have been mutually enriching with respect to increasing understanding.  Sports and sports card coll...

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 18, 2020

132A - Origin: 1/20/68

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 formed that evening that furthered my enjoyment of sports and this great hobby.

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 17, 2020

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

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 discuss his significant long-term positive impact on our industry.

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 16, 2020

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

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 early '90's has not been copied.

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 15, 2020

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

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, leading to all the amazing products of today.

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 14, 2020

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

Daryl McKay (co-founder of Sports Images, a leading distributor then, and now a business consultant) and I compare and contrast the Distributor landscape from 30 years ago to now, and conclude there are more similarities than differences.

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 13, 2020

128 - Player: Honus Wagner

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

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 11, 2020

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

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

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 11, 2020

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

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 National's impact.

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 10, 2020

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

Eric Norton, popular host of Beckett Media's Fat Packs podcast and wrestling aficionado, helps me evaluate a newly-arrived group of 75 recent wrestling card complete sets I had won in a recent Huggins & Scott auction.

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 9, 2020

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

Geoff Wilson's excellent podcast, Sports Card Investors, recently featured an episode entitled "20 Things New Sports Card Investors Must Know."  We comment, largely affirming, his thoughts and explanations.  You can also find his written transcript at ww...

Listen to the Episode