Dr. James Beckett: Sports Card Insights

1236A - Tribute: Willie Mays

Dr. Beckett pays tribute to the legendary Willie Mays. Reflecting on Mays's illustrious career, his all-time great status, and unique achievements, Dr. Beckett delves into the sports card market, highlighting key Mays cards to collect. The discussion also covers Mays's challenges with racism, comparisons with contemporaries like Mickey Mantle, and the undervalued nature of certain Mays cards.

 

01:20 The Say Hey Kid: Nicknames and Racism

03:39 Willie Mays' Legendary Throws and Skills

07:27 Collecting Willie Mays Cards: Insights and Tips

09:04 Willie Mays' Military Service and MVP Awards

11:32 The Scarcity and Value of Willie Mays Cards

 

 

1236 - Father/Son: Steve/Chris Ivy, Heritage Auctions, Part 2

We explore the parallels between coin and sports card collecting, focusing on concepts like historic, contrived, and conditional rarity. They discuss the shift in both markets towards high-end items, the influence of wealthy collectors, and the crossover appeal among different collectible categories. The episode delves into the investment potential of collectibles, the generational transfer of the hobby, and the personal experiences of Steve and Chris in the auction business. 

 

01:08 The Intersection of Coins and Cards

02:39 Market Trends and Investment Insights

07:33 Generational Collecting and Personal Stories

11:15 The Collecting Gene and Its Impact

 

1235 - Father/Son: Ron/Khyber Oser

Dr. Beckett welcomes seasoned auction experts Ron and Khyber Oser for an engaging discussion delving into the nuances of catalog writing, the impact of meticulous storytelling on auction prices, and their journey in the sports memorabilia industry. The Oser's share their non-collector ethos, the evolution of the auction business, and the joy of unearthing rare finds. The conversation also touches upon their different career paths, with Ron’s long history and Khyber's modern approach grounded in a rich writing background. They emphasize the importance of historically significant details and the thrill of connecting consignors with passionate collectors.

 

00:57 The Art of Auction Catalog Write-Ups

02:36 Personal Journeys in the Auction Industry

06:13 The Importance of Provenance and Hobby History

08:45 Transitioning Careers and Auction House Experiences

 

1234 - Father/Son: Ken/Paul Goldin, Goldin Touch

Featuring guests Ken Goldin and his son Paul Goldin delving into the rich history and legacy of sports card collecting, sharing stories from Ken's father and the early days of establishing a business in the hobby. Ken navigated the ever-evolving world of sports cards, from mail order at age 13 to ground-breaking business ventures like Score Board. This episode also pays tribute to Paul Goldin, Ken's father, his significant impact on the industry, and the lessons passed down through the generations.

 

01:30 Ken Golden's Early Days in Collecting

02:36 The Birth of Score Board

04:49 Paul Golden's Collecting Journey

07:36 Generational Insights and Reflections

10:59 Ken Golden on Retirement and Legacy

 

 

1233A - Tribute: Jerry West

We pay tribute to the late Jerry West, who passed away yesterday at 86. We reflect on his illustrious career from a stellar college player to a gold medal-winning Olympian, and his impactful role in developing NBA franchises such as the Lakers, Clippers, and Kings. Known as 'Mr. Clutch', Jerry West was a remarkable player with a career average of over 27 points per game and a member of the All-NBA team 12 times. We also explore his legacy in sports cards, discussing his 61-62 Fleer card, Kahn's Wieners card(s), and other noteworthy memorabilia. Join us in celebrating the life and accomplishments of an NBA icon who will forever be remembered as the symbol of the league—the NBA logo man.

 

00:57 Jerry West's Early Life and Career

01:49 Achievements and Legacy in the NBA

03:40 Iconic Status and the NBA Logo

04:48 Collectible Cards and Memorabilia

 

 

1233 - Father/Son: Bob/Shane Zaiger

Dr. Beckett has an in-depth discussion with Shane Zaiger, son of the late Bob Zaiger. They reminisce about their fathers, the legacy they left behind, and their shared experiences within the sports card hobby. Shane recounts his early days at card shows, the joys and lessons learned, and the shifts in the hobby over the years. They also touch on business dynamics, the importance of ethical practices, and the significance of self-starter attitudes. This episode is a tribute to family, legacy, and the passion that binds generations in the world of sports cards.

 

01:14 Early Memories and Show Circuit

04:36 Transition to Retail and Online Business

08:25 Reflections on Business and Family

 

 

1232 - Father/Son: Steve/Chris Ivy, Heritage Auctions

In this special Father's Day week episode Dr. Beckett interviews Steve Ivy and his son, Chris Ivy. Steve, co-founder of Heritage Auctions, joins his son Chris, who has carved out a significant niche within the sports memorabilia division at Heritage. The conversation explores their family dynamics, the influence of family in business, and the evolution of Heritage Auctions under their leadership. This heartfelt discussion also touches on the legacy of Dr. Beckett's own father and the traditions of collecting that bond fathers and sons.

 

04:15 Chris's Journey in the Sports Collectibles Industry

07:21 Building a Successful Team at Heritage

10:32 Challenges and Insights in the Collectibles Market

 

 

1231 - Millennial Podcasters, with Cage Lawyer

Dr. Beckett and fellow podcaster Cage Lawyer reflect on their journeys as 'millennial podcasters', who have each published well over a thousand episodes. They discuss the unique challenges and perspectives that come with producing such a volume of content, including the importance of passion for the hobby, the impact of sponsorship, and the value of engaging with their audience. The episode also touches on the future of podcasting in the sports card hobby and the potential for new voices to join the ranks of 'millennial' content creators. 

01:39 Unique Fraternity of Thousand-Episode Podcasters
02:33 Passion and Persistence Behind Podcasting
04:25 Navigating Burnout and Sustaining Interest
06:04 The Impact of Sponsorship and Audience Engagement
07:49 The Future of Podcasting and Personal Reflections

1230 - Dueling Questions with Chris Sewall 4.0

They delve into why Chris (also) enjoys rummaging through monster boxes, including dollar boxes at shows, the challenge and pleasure of sorting cards, and strategies for buying and selling. They discuss the importance of staying sharp in identifying valuable cards, the joys of interacting with others in the hobby, and the necessity of balancing this passion with practical considerations concerning investment and diversification. Chris's approach demonstrates a blend of enthusiasm for the hobby with savvy investment practices, offering listeners valuable insights into how his diligent work pays off.

00:43 Collecting and Dealing Strategies
04:14 The Art of Sorting and Selling Cards
04:32 Exploring Wholesale and Finder's Fees in Card Trading
07:28 Diversification in Card Collecting
10:24 Forecasting the Future

 

1229 - Fixing BGS, with Cage Lawyer

Dr. Beckett is asked directly by Cage how he personally would improve BGS to regain its former position and prestige. Addressing the competitive landscape of grading companies, they deliberate on BGS's challenges and Dr. Beckett's suggestions for improvement, focusing on maintaining the brand's unique qualities while adapting to the industry's evolving demands. The conversation also touches on the impact of market consolidation, the importance of effective marketing and customer service, and the potential influence of newer collectors' preferences on grading services. Additionally, there's a nostalgic look at the historical significance of BGS in the collecting community and speculation about its future direction.

00:21 Discussing BGS and Suggestions for Improvement
01:22 Evolution of Grading Companies and Beckett's Position
02:27 Addressing Beckett's Challenges and Potential Fixes
06:43 Beckett's Identity and Strategy Moving Forward
08:22 Importance of Customer Service
09:58 The Red-Label Santa Claus Slab