Dr. James Beckett: Sports Card Insights

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.

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 honor.

Different ways to sort cards.

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.  

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.

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 Fat Packs weekly podcast for Beckett Media (www.beckett.com).  

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.

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.

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

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 doctorjamesbeckett@gmail.com or try 5600 W. Lovers Lane, #116-301, Dallas, TX 75209 for physical mail.