Episodes

Feb. 8, 2020

147A - Listener Question: Wife Harmony?

Listener question about wanting to escalate his budget for buying cards but concerned his wife will not approve.

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Feb. 7, 2020

147 - Origin: Geoff Wilson (Sports Card Investor)

Geoff Wilson, founder of the popular podcast and YouTube "Sports Card Investor", joins for a discussion of his origin story and his card investment philosophies and practical helps.

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Feb. 6, 2020

146 - Modern Dinner Convo: Podcasters, etc.

We discuss the growth and potential for the different excellent podcasts covering our hobby/industry as well as other current topics.  You may recognize my voice by now, but there were many outstanding contributors in attendance who shared their thoughts...

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Feb. 5, 2020

145 - Modern Dinner Convo: 2020 Predictions?

We discuss our predictions for the upcoming year.  Not including me, you are hearing from Tim Trout 0:40, Don Spence at 1:15, Eric Norton at 1:45, Rob Springs at 2:20, Rich Klein at 2:50, Tim Trout at 3:25, Rob Springs at 3:45, Keith Hower at 5:20, Rich ...

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Feb. 4, 2020

144A - Topps Million Card Rip Party Report

Just got back from the Topps Million Card Rip Party at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX with about 18 different high-profile industry breakers who are breaking one million 2020 Topps Series One Baseball cards.

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Feb. 4, 2020

144 - Modern Dinner Convo: 2020 Baseball Outlook

We discuss the outlook for baseball cards in 2020 around the big board table over dinner.  Speaking and contributing, other than me, are Tim Trout 0:00, Rich Klein at 1:00, Rob Springs at 2:30, Rich Klein at 4:15, Joe Davis at 5:20, Rob Springs at 5:40, ...

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Feb. 3, 2020

143 - Modern Dinner Convo: Topps Million Card Rip Party

We discuss the upcoming Topps Million Card Rip Party at Jerry Jones' American Airlines Stadium with 18 breakers busting a million card that day.  The voices you are hearing, other than me, are Rich Klein at 0:10, Tim Trout at 0:40, Keith Hower at 2:20, J...

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Feb. 1, 2020

142B - Hobby Job Opportunities

Do you prefer being your own boss or having a job with a steady paycheck?  There are many opportunities in this industry with most hobby businesses doing very well.  Let me know at doctorjamesbeckett@gmail.com if you are interested in this topic - especi...

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Feb. 1, 2020

142A - LCS Perspective on Kobe (with Mike Fruitman)

Mike Fruitman (Mike's Stadium Sports Cards in Aurora, CO) and I discuss the legacy of Kobe and what has happened during this first week after his passing and some ethical and pricing considerations raised.

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Jan. 31, 2020

142 - Vintage Dinner Convo: Safer Cards?

Our round-table discussion of which cards are "safer" at the annual hobby vintage dinner.  The voices you hear, besides mine, are Jordan Hagedorn at 0:00, Rich Klein at 1:20, Shane Leonard at 2:45, Jerry Adamic at 3:10, Stephan Loeffler at 3:45, Leon Luc...

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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...

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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.

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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...

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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 ...

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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.

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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.

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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