Dr. Beckett unretires to share sports card stories, analyses, and opinions, based on his six decades of intensive experience.
Episodes
Wednesday Jun 26, 2024
Wednesday Jun 26, 2024
Dr. Beckett engages with Khyber and Ron Oser exploring the father-son dynamic between them, their experiences in the sports card industry, and their memories of influential figures and key events. The trio delves into topics like the challenges of cataloging and authenticating photos, the impact of technology on modern type one photos, and the significance of provenance in collections. They also reflect on the evolution of auctions and the importance of maintaining good relationships. The episode concludes with anecdotes from their personal journeys and their continuing passion for the hobby.
00:35 Cataloging and Authenticity Challenges
01:31 Influence of Beckett in the 80s
03:10 Early Days of Beckett Publications
06:11 Auction Practices and Shill Bidding
10:59 Memorable Moments in the Hobby
Monday Jun 24, 2024
Monday Jun 24, 2024
Dr. Beckett continues his discussion with Ken Golden, diving deep into Ken's influence on the sports card industry, his early experiences, his rise to prominence on QVC, and his notable sales achievements, including the innovative and record-breaking sale of the Jumbo Wagner card. The conversation also touches on personal anecdotes, collecting habits, and the evolving dynamics of the card market.
01:00 Ken Golden's Early Career and Persona
03:56 Industry Changing Events and Auctions
05:48 Personal Reflections and Health
07:12 Collecting Stories and Memorabilia
11:49 Market Trends and Advice
Friday Jun 21, 2024
Friday Jun 21, 2024
Dr. Beckett continues his conversation with Shane Zaiger, discussing the evolving landscape of sports card collecting and selling. They reflect on nostalgic memories, strategies for modern sales on platforms like eBay and COMC, and the dynamic future of hobby shops. Shane shares personal stories about his late father and details his own journey back into the hobby market. Insights on maximizing sales, the impact of technology on the hobby, and the potential transformation of retail models in the sports card industry.
01:15 Career Decisions and Hobby Involvement
02:26 Reentering the Hobby and Market Trends
04:14 Selling Strategies and Platforms
11:51 Hobby Shop Evolution and Challenges
Thursday Jun 20, 2024
Thursday Jun 20, 2024
Dr. Beckett pays tribute to the legendary Willie Mays. Reflecting on Mays's illustrious career, his all-time great status, and unique achievements, Dr. Beckett delves into the sports card market, highlighting key Mays cards to collect. The discussion also covers Mays's challenges with racism, comparisons with contemporaries like Mickey Mantle, and the undervalued nature of certain Mays cards.
01:20 The Say Hey Kid: Nicknames and Racism
03:39 Willie Mays' Legendary Throws and Skills
07:27 Collecting Willie Mays Cards: Insights and Tips
09:04 Willie Mays' Military Service and MVP Awards
11:32 The Scarcity and Value of Willie Mays Cards
Wednesday Jun 19, 2024
Wednesday Jun 19, 2024
We explore the parallels between coin and sports card collecting, focusing on concepts like historic, contrived, and conditional rarity. They discuss the shift in both markets towards high-end items, the influence of wealthy collectors, and the crossover appeal among different collectible categories. The episode delves into the investment potential of collectibles, the generational transfer of the hobby, and the personal experiences of Steve and Chris in the auction business.
01:08 The Intersection of Coins and Cards
02:39 Market Trends and Investment Insights
07:33 Generational Collecting and Personal Stories
11:15 The Collecting Gene and Its Impact
Monday Jun 17, 2024
Monday Jun 17, 2024
Dr. Beckett welcomes seasoned auction experts Ron and Khyber Oser for an engaging discussion delving into the nuances of catalog writing, the impact of meticulous storytelling on auction prices, and their journey in the sports memorabilia industry. The Oser's share their non-collector ethos, the evolution of the auction business, and the joy of unearthing rare finds. The conversation also touches upon their different career paths, with Ron’s long history and Khyber's modern approach grounded in a rich writing background. They emphasize the importance of historically significant details and the thrill of connecting consignors with passionate collectors.
00:57 The Art of Auction Catalog Write-Ups
02:36 Personal Journeys in the Auction Industry
06:13 The Importance of Provenance and Hobby History
08:45 Transitioning Careers and Auction House Experiences
Friday Jun 14, 2024
Friday Jun 14, 2024
Featuring guests Ken Goldin and his son Paul Goldin delving into the rich history and legacy of sports card collecting, sharing stories from Ken's father and the early days of establishing a business in the hobby. Ken navigated the ever-evolving world of sports cards, from mail order at age 13 to ground-breaking business ventures like Score Board. This episode also pays tribute to Paul Goldin, Ken's father, his significant impact on the industry, and the lessons passed down through the generations.
01:30 Ken Golden's Early Days in Collecting
02:36 The Birth of Score Board
04:49 Paul Golden's Collecting Journey
07:36 Generational Insights and Reflections
10:59 Ken Golden on Retirement and Legacy
Thursday Jun 13, 2024
Thursday Jun 13, 2024
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
Wednesday Jun 12, 2024
Wednesday Jun 12, 2024
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
Monday Jun 10, 2024
Monday Jun 10, 2024
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