Dr. Beckett unretires to share sports card stories, analyses, and opinions, based on his six decades of intensive experience.
Episodes
Wednesday Jan 07, 2026
Wednesday Jan 07, 2026
Dr. Beckett discusses seven rebuttals to common opinions and concerns expressed recently within the sports card industry. Topics include the impact of monopolies on the hobby, market manipulation, the grading process with companies like BGS and PSA, and the practices of big dealers and auction houses. Dr. Beckett offers perspectives on these issues, aiming to foster a more comprehensive conversation about the hobby.
02:07 Monopolies in the Hobby
04:57 Market Manipulation
06:44 Grading Inconsistencies
09:14 Raw Card Review Controversy
11:18 Shill Bidding Concerns
12:22 Auction Reserves and Dealer Pushback
Monday Jan 05, 2026
Monday Jan 05, 2026
Dr. Beckett and guest Dan Bliss explores the nuances of modern sports card collecting. They discuss the importance of understanding player longevity and household recognition for investment purposes, the diversity of collector motivations, and the strategies for holding cards long-term. The discussion includes insights into card shows, vendor experiences, and the evolving landscape aided by AI and major acquisitions like PSA's purchase of Beckett. Additionally, Dan shares his own collecting habits and thoughts on the future of the hobby.
01:57 Collector Strategies and Market Trends
05:10 Personal Collecting Habits
07:32 Expanding Card Shows to the East Coast
10:12 AI in the Collecting World
12:36 PSA's Acquisition of Beckett
Friday Jan 02, 2026
Friday Jan 02, 2026
Dan Bliss joins Dr. Beckett to discuss the future of sports card shows moving towards 2030. They explore the unique aspects of in-person shows, such as the joy of discovering bargains and the importance of interpersonal connections that online sales can't replicate. The conversation also delves into balancing the vendor mix between sports cards and non-sports cards like TCGs and the impact of grading on the hobby. Furthermore, Dr. Beckett shares his journey into the publication industry and the evolution of price guides over the years.
00:55 The Future of Sports Card Shows
04:45 Balancing TCG and Sports Cards
08:25 The Evolution of Price Guides
10:03 Junk Wax Era and Market Dynamics
Wednesday Dec 31, 2025
Wednesday Dec 31, 2025
Dr. Beckett offers his reflections on the past year in the hobby, shares his plans to continue the podcast and his intention to be more aggressive in interviewing notable figures in the sports card world. He talks about his interactions with fans, receiving thoughtful gifts, and touches on the controversies and market trends that have shaped the hobby. Dr. Beckett also shares personal anecdotes, including nostalgic moments from his early days in the hobby, and discusses the importance of maintaining security and taking a critical approach to the business and financial aspects of sports card collecting.
02:05 Community Interactions and Generosity
02:57 NASCAR and Collectible Insights
06:16 Holiday Cards and Personal Reflections
06:59 Controversies and Opinions in the Hobby
11:10 Memories and Autograph Stories
12:32 Looking Ahead: Business Insights
Monday Dec 29, 2025
Monday Dec 29, 2025
Dr. Beckett and Rich Klein discuss the importance of mentorship in the sports card hobby. They respond to a listener's query about finding mentors for effective card show dealing and online selling. The conversation covers practical advice for budding card dealers, including the significance of observing seasoned dealers, pricing strategies, and understanding your audience. The episode also touches upon the balance between offering assistance and the risks of over-reliance on a mentor, along with insights on leveraging online communities for guidance.
00:30 Mentorship in Sports Card Dealing
02:12 Advice for Card Show Dealers
07:46 Pricing and Selling Strategies
11:14 Emotional Attachment or Business Mindset
Friday Dec 26, 2025
Friday Dec 26, 2025
Dr. Beckett delves into the recent acquisition of Beckett by Collectors in response to questions during the weekly live Hobby Hotline program also featuring John Newman, Victor Roman, Chris Harris, and Rich Klein. Dr. Beckett shares his thoughts on the transition, his meeting with CEO Nat Turner, and the future prospects for Beckett under new ownership. The conversation covers a range of topics including the company's strategic direction, potential market monopolies, and the overall impact on the sports card hobby.
00:49 Reflecting on Beckett's Legacy
02:08 Meeting with Nat Turner
03:36 Acquisition Details and Market Impact
06:05 Future of Beckett and the Hobby
09:21 Monopoly Concerns
13:09 SGC and CGC?
19:32 Advisory Role and Future Plans
Wednesday Dec 24, 2025
Wednesday Dec 24, 2025
Dr. Beckett recaps episodes 1451 to 1474 covering interviews and discussions. Dr. Beckett reflects on the past, present, and future of the hobby, all while addressing tough topics constructively.
00:25 Innovations in the 90s with Darin Ostrom
01:32 Shill Bidding Controversy
03:32 Defending PSA and Policing Manipulation
10:56 Listener Questions and Hobby Insights
Monday Dec 22, 2025
Monday Dec 22, 2025
Dr. Beckett reviews Darin Ostrom's draft manuscript on 'Sports Card Innovations in the Nineties'. Dr. Beckett discusses various aspects of the book, such as the history and evolution of sports cards, including notable companies like Upper Deck and Topps, as well as key events that shaped the industry, plus the chaotic nature of the late 80s and 90s sports card market, the role of different companies and products, and the importance of documenting this era accurately. Additionally, rookie card rules, the challenges of overproduction, and the significance of narrative versus encyclopedic writing in capturing sports card history.
00:52 Discussion on 90s Sports Card History
01:36 Linear vs. Non-Linear Book Structure
02:04 Market Trends in the 80s and 90s
02:51 Key Players in the Sports Card Industry
03:48 Failures in the Sports Card Market
05:14 Specific Companies' Contributions
13:17 Rookie Cards and Market Dynamics
Friday Dec 19, 2025
Friday Dec 19, 2025
Dr. Beckett tackles a diverse range of listener questions. Topics include the ups and downs of market cycles, the pros and cons of having more or fewer employees, the significance of favorite card covers, and what defines a serious player collector. He also delves into card grading, dealing with MVP players, discounts on last year's cards, the importance of protecting cards from fading, and effective interactions between dealers and collectors at shows.
00:27 Market Cycles in the Sports Card Market
01:20 Managing Employees in a Sports Card Company
02:35 Favorite Covers and Player Collectors
04:21 Phases of Collecting and Card Wall Setup
06:08 Professional Grading and MVP Cards
07:58 Card Pricing and Dealer Interactions
Wednesday Dec 17, 2025
Wednesday Dec 17, 2025
Dr. Beckett dives into the unexpected but monumental news of PSA acquiring BGS and other Beckett entities. In this episode, Dr. Beckett discusses the immediate impact on the sports card hobby, shares personal anecdotes from his recent interactions with Nat Turner, and reflects on the legacy and future prospects of Beckett.
00:31 PSA Acquires Beckett Entities
01:31 Timeline of Events
03:14 Reflections on Beckett's History
06:02 Meeting with Nat Turner
10:00 Future of Beckett Under PSA