Episodes

Sept. 17, 2019

049 - Then and Now: The Ideal Sports Card Store (with Rich Klein)

Rich and I discuss how sports card stores and shops have evolved over the years.

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Sept. 16, 2019

048 - Issue: Nuanced Nepotism

Examining nepotism in professional sports, kid sports, and in business, specifically Beckett Publications back in 1984.

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Sept. 13, 2019

047 - Newbie: First Visit to a Card Show (with Rich Klein)

Rich and I I discuss what it would be like to attend your first card show as a new collector.

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Sept. 12, 2019

046 - Newbie: First Visit to a Card Store (with Rich Klein)

Rich and I discuss what it would be like for a newbie to visit a card store, what to look for and what to avoid.

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Sept. 11, 2019

045 - Then and Now: 9/11 and Travel (with Rich Klein)

Rich Klein and I discuss where we were on 9/11/01 and how it affected us, our company, our industry, and our American culture.

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Sept. 10, 2019

044 - Origin: Beckett Magazine Policies (with Jay Johnson)

Jay Johnson, subject of Episode 034, turns the tables, asking questions about why Beckett Publications did things the way we did, frequently counter-intuitive. We discuss our initial advertising policies; our two editorial maxims: positive tone and no in...

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Sept. 9, 2019

043 - Issue: National Buying Strategies (with Rich Klein)

Some strategies for buying cards at the National Sports Collectors Convention depending on your objectives.  Wandering the floor?  Systematic or Random?  Front to back or back to front?  Clockwise or counter-clockwise?

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Sept. 6, 2019

042 - Origin: Podcasting (with Eric Norton)

A conversation with Eric Norton, voice of Fat Packs, Beckett Media's excellent weekly (every Thursday) podcast, about different approaches to and inner workings of podcasting as well as covering the sports card hobby.

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Sept. 5, 2019

041 - Box Review: 2019 Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball (with Rich Klein)

Rich Klein and I open a box each of 2019 Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball (courtesy of Dane Coenen of Dynasty Breaks) and discuss and enjoy what we got.

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Sept. 4, 2019

040 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 019-038

We recap the past four weeks of episodes including the reflections and feedback of readers.  The month's most popular episodes were in hindsight relatively predictable.  Your feedback, questions or comments can be sent to doctorjamesbeckett@gmail.com.

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Sept. 3, 2019

039 - Descriptive Audio: Rich Klein's Adat Chaverim Show

I walk through Rich Klein's famous Labor Day Adat Chaverim synagogue show and describe my experience for those of you not here.  Starting with the drive-up, the admission table out front, and some pleasant interactions with table holders, collectors, and...

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Aug. 30, 2019

038 - Origin: Labor Days

Dr. Beckett recounts his Labor Day experiences, with emphasis on "labor", between 1979 and 1996, also announcing that there will be no episode released on this Monday in honor of Labor Day.

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Aug. 29, 2019

037 - Interview: Me by Mike Fruitman

Mike Fruitman turns the tables and interviews me about my 1980 co-ownership of a local Dallas card store as well as other reminiscences in response to Mike's questions.  Since we have not known each other as long except by reputation, it was an interesti...

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Aug. 28, 2019

036 - Tribute: Wayne Varner (with Rich Klein)

National sports card dealer Wayne Varner of Shoebox Cards in the Pittsburgh area recently passed away after an extended illness.  He was a stalwart on the card show circuit for decades and was our good friend and a strong contributor, certainly worthy of...

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Aug. 27, 2019

035 - Then and Now: Sorting Cards

Different ways to sort cards.

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Aug. 26, 2019

034 - Interview: Jay Johnson

A visit with Jay Johnson, our 13th employee hired at Beckett Publications, who worked in a variety of leadership roles for us from 1989-1999, including a look back at those good old days, in that fast-growing publishing environment.

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Aug. 23, 2019

033 - Interview: Dane Coenen, Dynasty Breaks

A visit with Dane Coenen of Dynasty Breaks, discussing the joys of breaking from his and his particular community's perspective.  More info at www.dynastybreaks.com or at dynastybreaksllc@gmail.com.

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Aug. 22, 2019

032 - Interview: Eric Norton, Fat Packs

Leading podcaster Eric Norton of Fat Packs shares his origin story including a stint with the Seattle Mariners.  His main current responsibility is hockey card analyst for Beckett Media, also trouble-shoots the Beckett Marketplace, but his passion is his...

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Aug. 21, 2019

031 - Interview: Burbank Sportscards

A discussion with Rob Veres about the iterations of Burbank Sportcards, home of 43,000,000 databased cards, readily accessible for collectors completing sets or adding to their player collections.

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Aug. 20, 2019

030 - Then and Now: Technology (with Tim Getsch)

The history of technology and computer programming in the sports card industry - a discussion between Tim and Jim.  COMC's website is conveniently COMC.com.

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Aug. 19, 2019

029 - Interview: Mike's Stadium Sportscards

Mike Fruitman of Mike's Stadium Sportscards in Aurora, Colorado discusses his store and the benefits of local card stores.

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Aug. 16, 2019

028 - Interview: Dave Sliepka

Dave Sliepka is a versatile hobby veteran, who has worked for or with most of the significant companies in the industry in a variety of roles with distinction.  If you have questions or comments about this or any other episode, send them to doctorjamesbe...

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Aug. 15, 2019

027 - Interview: Stephan Loeffler, About the Cards

We have a pleasant phone conversation with Stephan Loeffler, COMC Identification Tech, and co-host of the popular video podcast, About the Cards, available all the places podcasts are found.

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Aug. 14, 2019

026 - Tribute: Dan Even (with Rich Klein)

Dan Even unfortunately passed away during the National Sports Collectors Convention after a long illness.  He was a pleasant and delightful friend and very helpful contributor to Beckett Publications, readily sharing his vast knowledge of player postcard...

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