Dr. Beckett unretires to share sports card stories, analyses, and opinions, based on his six decades of intensive experience.
Episodes
Sunday Jan 26, 2020
Sunday Jan 26, 2020
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.
Saturday Jan 25, 2020
Saturday Jan 25, 2020
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 Fleischer at 2:20, Joe Davis at 4:20, and Rob Springs at 4:25.
Saturday Jan 25, 2020
Saturday Jan 25, 2020
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 Fleischer at 4:00, Tim Trout at 4:20, Brian Fleischer at 4:50, and Eric Norton at 5:55.
Saturday Jan 25, 2020
Saturday Jan 25, 2020
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 hobby experts participating) was worth recording and presenting to you.
Friday Jan 24, 2020
Friday Jan 24, 2020
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 retiring to.
Thursday Jan 23, 2020
Thursday Jan 23, 2020
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.
Wednesday Jan 22, 2020
Wednesday Jan 22, 2020
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@gmail.com with your thoughts.
Tuesday Jan 21, 2020
Tuesday Jan 21, 2020
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 not referring only to these two fine managers!
Monday Jan 20, 2020
Monday Jan 20, 2020
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 cards, and autographs (he died in 1972) are highly sought after.
Saturday Jan 18, 2020
Saturday Jan 18, 2020
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 collecting can also play a part. People always ask me what I do in my retirement - I can now say I am a podcaster! But I also do other interesting things that I think might make a difference in our world and culture. Sports is a great common denominator.