Dr. James Beckett: Sports Card Insights

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.

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.

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 investment advice; strict conflict of interest policy; and other things. 

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?

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.

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.

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.

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 friends.  Great fun but difficult to describe without pictures or video.

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.

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 interesting interchange.