Dr. Beckett unretires to share sports card stories, analyses, and opinions, based on his six decades of intensive experience.
Episodes
Wednesday Aug 14, 2024
Wednesday Aug 14, 2024
Dr. Beckett dives into the realm of card breaking, drawing parallels between the process and the hit TV show 'Breaking Bad.' He discusses the economics behind card breaking, the similarities in the speculative nature of both activities, and the importance of honesty and transparency. Dr. Beckett also touches on the concept of repacks, the role of expected value, and the importance of building trust within the community.
01:00 The Economics of Card Breaking
02:42 Challenges and Risks in Card Breaking
07:02 The Role of Transparency in Card Breaking
Monday Aug 12, 2024
Monday Aug 12, 2024
Dr. Beckett reflects and discusses the importance of having a good wingman in the sports card hobby. He shares stories of his own wingmen, like Rich Klein, Brad Askew, Gabe Haro, Mark Harwell, and Joe Galindo, and offers ten suggestions for being an effective and supportive wingman. Covering everything from staying focused on the main goal to encouraging honesty and avoiding envy, this episode provides valuable insights into building strong, supportive relationships within the hobby.
00:33 The Role of a Wingman
01:30 Personal Wingman Stories
02:14 Staying Focused and Honest
06:24 Generational Respect and Handling Wrongs
08:19 Honesty and Integrity
11:09 Avoiding Envy and Jealousy
Sunday Aug 11, 2024
Sunday Aug 11, 2024
Dr. Beckett contrasts the recently received Connor Bedard box set from Upper Deck with the Caitlin Clark product from Panini. He discusses the contents of the Connor Bedard box, including the challenges of obtaining autographed cards, the market demand, and the unique approaches by Upper Deck compared to other companies like Panini and Topps. Dr. Beckett shares his personal experiences and thoughts on collecting, the significance of potential superstar athletes, and the future value of such box sets. Additionally, he discusses possible improvements and ideas for future sets, such as the inclusion of combo cards and bilingual versions.
01:13 Analyzing the Box Set Contents and Market Value
02:12 Comparing Connor Bedard and Caitlin Clark
02:40 Discussion on Autograph Odds and Market Trends
04:45 Upper Deck's Strategy and Product Comparison
06:11 Suggestions for Future Box Sets
Friday Aug 09, 2024
Friday Aug 09, 2024
Dr. Beckett addresses listener questions revolving around the concept of a 'Mount Rushmore' for various aspects of the sports card hobby. The discussion includes notable figures such as Ed Broder, Lionel Carter, Charlie Conlon, Lud Denny, Renata Galasso, George Johnson, Kevin Savage, among others, highlighting their significant contributions. Dr. Beckett also shares personal anecdotes and sheds light on the impact of these and other individuals on the sports card collecting world.
00:43 Writing a Book About the Hobby
05:21 Walter Diemer and Fleer Dubble Bubble
09:12 Mickey Mantle's Extraordinary Value
Wednesday Aug 07, 2024
Wednesday Aug 07, 2024
Dr. James Beckett hosts a dinner at his home with 17 passionate baseball fans, primarily non-collectors, to discuss the challenges and opportunities of expanding the sports card hobby by tenfold. The conversation reveals insights into why avid baseball enthusiasts may not gravitate toward collecting, despite their deep love for the game. Topics include the barriers to entry, the complexities of modern card collecting, and the potential strategies for engaging new collectors.
00:31 Baseball Fans' Perspective on Collecting
01:29 Challenges in Converting Fans to Collectors
02:16 Personal Stories and Collecting Experiences
07:18 Marketing and the Future of Collecting
14:59 Global Interest and Autograph Collecting
Monday Aug 05, 2024
Monday Aug 05, 2024
How to "grade" consistency - what is acceptable? We explore the complexities and challenges of grading consistency in the world of sports cards. Dr. Beckett discusses the variability among graders, the importance of accuracy over consistency, and shares his thoughts on how different grading companies, including automated systems like TAG, handle grading. He also provides practical tips on cracking slabs and emphasizes the critical role of eye appeal in card valuation.
01:13 Grading Consistency Issues
01:45 Evaluating Grading Accuracy
04:04 Subjectivity in Grading
09:28 Cracking Slabs and Resubmission
10:45 Final Thoughts on Grading Standards
Friday Aug 02, 2024
Friday Aug 02, 2024
Listener question episode focused on tributes affecting the sports card collecting community. He discusses past and potential tributes to notable figures such as Jim Otto, Larry Allen, Chet Walker, Bill Walton, Willie Mays, Jerry West, John Stommen, Bob Schmeirer, and Jack Smalling. Reflecting on their impacts and legacies, Dr. Beckett also addresses the implications of their passings on the sports card market.
00:32 Reflecting on the National Convention
01:27 Tributes to Sports Legends
02:29 The Impact of Player Deaths on Card Sales
05:43 Willie Mays and the Price Disparity Debate
07:11 Jerry West's Influence on the Lakers Dynasty
09:44 Unmade Tributes and Their Significance
Wednesday Jul 31, 2024
Wednesday Jul 31, 2024
Dr. Beckett shares his experience at the recent National at the IX Center in Cleveland. He discusses the logistical challenges and details his experiences and strategies during the event. From traffic woes and huge crowds to insightful encounters and invaluable hobby connections, this episode offers a detailed recounting of the show’s highs and lows.
00:53 Challenges and Logistics of the Event
02:54 Reflections on the Venue and Event
06:10 Memorable Encounters and Deals
10:47 Final Thoughts and Looking Ahead
Monday Jul 29, 2024
Monday Jul 29, 2024
We take a trip down memory lane, discussing the fascinating era of Hostess Baseball Cards from 1975 to 1979. Discover how these cards, found on the backs of Hostess snacks like Twinkies and Ding Dongs, became an entry point for many collectors. The conversation delves into the quirks of these cards, including rookie cards, errors, and variations, as well as the challenges of collecting, preserving, and grading them. Gain insights into how food-related collectible cards helped grow the sports card hobby and the potential future of such promotional items.
00:36 Hostess Cards: A Gateway to the Hobby
01:19 Unique Features and Rookie Cards
02:08 Collecting Hostess Panels vs. Singles
03:10 Grading and Valuing Hostess Cards
04:21 Hostess Cards in the Hobby Market
10:15 The Decline of Hostess Cards
14:14 Food-Related Collectibles and Future Prospects
Friday Jul 26, 2024
Friday Jul 26, 2024
Various listener questions accumulated from emails and card shows. Topics range from the importance of card condition, the concept of 'condition splaining,' and the idea of slab sleeves, to broader discussions about market trends, player cards, serial numbers, and personal anecdotes.
01:18 Condition Splaining: Understanding Card Grades
02:57 Innovative Idea: Slab Sleeves for Graded Cards
04:24 Investment Insights: Card Value Fluctuations
05:36 Knowledge and Memory in Card Collecting
08:42 The Dream Team: Beckett's Early Days
09:31 Serial Numbers and Refractors: Evaluating Card Rarity