Dr. James Beckett: Sports Card Insights

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

 

1228 - Upper Deck Hockey Hobby Box Semi-Finals

Box battle with four current hockey card products from Upper Deck. He evaluates the boxes based on contents from 2023-24 Trilogy, 2023-24 Black Diamond, 2022-23 Ultimate Collection, and 2023-24 SP Game Used. Initially ranking Trilogy the highest, the results surprise him after opening the packs. The SP Game Used box, featuring standout cards like a Jason Robertson dual patch, takes first place. Ultimate Collection comes in second due to its impressive autographs, while Trilogy and Black Diamond follow. The video explores the nuances of card collecting, the importance of meaningful combos, and the challenges of redemption timelines and packaging.

01:36 Unboxing Insights: The Intricacies of Packaging
06:49 Ranking the Boxes Pre-Opening: Expectations vs. Reality
07:43 Revealing the Results: Surprises and Disappointments

 

1227 - Michael Jordan XRC Rejoinder

Dr. Beckett reviews Darren Rovell's investigative article and provides insights into the history and classification of the Michael Jordan Star Company XRC, including misconceptions around the XRC designation and reflects on the broader implications for the sports card hobby. The conversation sheds light on historical decisions, collector perceptions, and the evolving dynamics of the trading card market. Certainly a hotly debated topic.

00:20 Deep Dive into the Michael Jordan XRC Controversy
01:29 Overall Impact of Beckett Classification of XRC's
02:42 Star Company's Reputation and Legal Troubles
03:43 The Debate Over Rookie Card Classifications
06:34 PSA's Role in Reevaluating Star Company Cards

 

1226A - Tribute: Bill Walton

A heartfelt tribute to the late Bill Walton, reflecting on his illustrious career and his memorable moments at UCLA and in the NBA. Dr. Beckett shares personal anecdotes and insights into Walton's impact on the sport and his presence in the sports card hobby. The episode also touches upon the legacy of Coach John Wooden and the evolution of basketball cards. 

00:55 College Years and Influence of John Wooden
04:19 NBA Career and Health Struggles
05:33 Bill Walton's Legacy in Sports Cards and Collectibles
08:46 Personal Anecdotes and Shared Memories of Bill Walton

 

1226 - Michael Jordan XRC, with Darren Rovell

Dr. Beckett is interviewed by investigative journalist Darren Revell. They delve into the history of Michael Jordan's XRC and the role of major grading companies. Dr. Beckett shares his insights on the early days of card grading, interactions with various dealers, and the complexities of determining card designations like XRC. He also touches on relationships with companies like Star Company and Fleer, highlighting the challenges and decisions that shaped the industry.

01:15 Exploring the World of Star Dealers and Card Grading
04:46  Evolution of Card Collecting and Price Guides
05:41 The Controversy and Complexity of XRCs
13:18 Navigating the Pressures and Politics of Card Companies