Dr. Beckett unretires to share sports card stories, analyses, and opinions, based on his six decades of intensive experience.
Episodes
Monday Jun 30, 2025
Monday Jun 30, 2025
Dr. Beckett discusses the concept of being CEO of your card collection, inspired by Mike Steveline's take on Brett McGrath's Stacking Slabs podcast. He examines what it means to take on the 'CEO' role, the responsibilities it implies, and shares his personal experiences from his time as a CEO and president. Dr. Beckett also delves into financial management, organizational skills, and the importance of maintaining a healthy enterprise, ultimately tying these business principles back to the world of card collecting.
00:22 Email from Mike and Initial Thoughts
00:49 The Role and Responsibilities of a CEO
04:02 Organizational Skills and Financial Awareness
08:35 Learning and Community Engagement
11:16 Fun: Encouragement, Enthusiasm, and Energy
Friday Jun 27, 2025
Friday Jun 27, 2025
Dr. Beckett dives into the intriguing parallels between car collecting and card collecting, discussing themes like the value of preservation, market demand, and the joy of ownership. He reflects on lessons learned from both car enthusiasts and card collectors, emphasizing the importance of 'staying in your lane' in both hobbies.
03:30 Staying in Your Lane: Advice for Collectors
04:51 The Market Dynamics of Cars and Cards
06:42 Restoration and Authenticity
06:59 The Importance of Utility and Personal Preference
13:11 The Future of Cards: VINs and Tracking
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
On last Saturday's Hobby Hotline, Dr. Beckett, John Newman, and Orlando Collector's Dream discuss news in the sports card industry. Topics include recent changes at SGC affecting bulk submitters, insights into Fanatics Fest, and a deep dive into the potential implications of a rumored PSA-GameStop merger. Also highlighted are the experiential differences between Fanatics Fest and The National, emphasizing the unique positioning and future of both events.
00:44 SGC Bulk Submission Changes
04:45 PSA and GameStop Potential Acquisition
08:55 Fanatics Fest Highlights
11:24 Comparing Fanatics Fest and The National
Monday Jun 23, 2025
Monday Jun 23, 2025
Dr. Beckett is joined by Mike and Andrew Aronstein, and Rich Klein. They delve into their rich histories in the sports card hobby, sharing stories about operating multiple card stores, dealing with TCMA items, and handling vintage photography. The episode sheds light on fascinating behind-the-scenes operations, from the creation of sports cards to the unique challenges faced in the industry. They also reflect on influential figures and moments that shaped their careers.
00:31 Managing Multiple Card Stores
00:53 TCMA and Cooperstown Involvement
02:57 Printing Errors and Card Variations
04:52 Transition to Digital Printing
09:25 Exclusive Distribution Deal
12:51 Vintage Photography and Collecting
Friday Jun 20, 2025
Friday Jun 20, 2025
Dr. Beckett reviews three current Panini sports card releases, including baseball, football, and basketball products. He discusses pricing, licensing issues, and the enjoyment factor of opening packs. Highlights include an examination of autograph valuation, no purchase necessary offers, and the nuances of various card sets. The episode also compares the complexities and potential value of each sport's cards, reflecting on Panini's role and the future of the hobby.
00:57 Understanding Card Breaks and Market Value
02:26 Reviewing 2025 Donruss Baseball
03:48 Autographs and Their Market Impact
04:49 No Purchase Necessary Offers
07:25 Reviewing 2024 Panini Contenders Optic Football
08:51 Reviewing 2024-25 Select Basketball
Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
Dr. Beckett addresses listener questions from various platforms. Topics include potential mergers like GameStop acquiring Collectors and PSA, the future landscape of grading companies, the logistics of dividing collections, and personal anecdotes from the world of sports card collecting.
00:57 Rumors of GameStop Acquiring Collectors
02:55 Future of Grading Companies
03:38 Buying Collections and Partnering
05:05 Challenges with Plastic Sheets and Supplies
10:02 Modern Hobby and Collector Sentiments
11:08 Auction Bidding Issues
Monday Jun 16, 2025
Monday Jun 16, 2025
Excerpts of Dr. Beckett's interview by Victor Roman Sr. on Victor's YT channel, reflecting on the life and influence of Dr. Beckett's late father. Dr. Beckett shares stories about his dad's early life, his love for baseball and stamp collecting, his professional journey, and his impact on Dr. Beckett's personal and professional life. They discuss the values of hard work, independence, and faith that his father instilled in him, as well as the importance of vulnerability and authenticity. Dr. Beckett also explains how these lessons have influenced his approach to career and family.
01:24 My Dad's Early Life and Career
03:31 Life Lessons and Work Ethic
05:34 Support and Independence
09:02 Faith and Personal Growth
Friday Jun 13, 2025
Friday Jun 13, 2025
The second part of Dr. Beckett's conversation with Mike and Andrew Aronstein. They share nostalgic stories of collecting 1951 Bowman cards, the evolution of their collections, and their unique approach to sports memorabilia. Listen to tales of entrepreneurial ventures, the transition from sports cards to postcards, and the fascinating experiences of setting up at shows and partnering in the collectible world.
00:29 Childhood Memories of Card Collecting
02:27 Transition to Postcards and Reflections on Collecting
03:19 Entrepreneurial Ventures and Business Success
04:49 Family and Collecting Together
05:42 Partnerships and Business Anecdotes
09:00 Challenges and Changes in the Hobby
Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
Dr. Beckett and Mike Johnston share heartfelt stories about their late fathers and their mutual love for vintage baseball cards. Both Dr. Beckett and Mike discuss how their fathers' collections of Goudey, Play Ball, and Diamond Stars cards created lasting memories and a strong bond between them. They reminisce about the times their dads spent buying and trading cards in the 1930s, with touching anecdotes about family life during the depression, baseball radio broadcasts, and the therapeutic power of collecting.
03:03 Baseball and Family Bonds
03:48 Rediscovering the Collection
04:36 Generational Differences and Shared Interests
05:02 The Impact of War and Career Paths
07:19 Card Collecting Community and Connections
12:05 Sentimental Value and Family Legacy
Monday Jun 09, 2025
Monday Jun 09, 2025
Dr. Beckett is joined by Andrew and Mike Aronstein. Andrew, operations manager at Love of the Game Auctions, and his father, legendary hobbyist Mike Aronstein, share their insights and stories from the world of sports card collecting. They explore their early memories, the evolution of the sports card industry, and the challenges of balancing family and hobby. amidst entrepreneurial ventures.
01:45 Father-Son Bonding Through Sports Cards
03:47 Entrepreneurial Journey in the Hobby
07:12 Photo File and Licensing Stories
14:04 Early Days and Evolution of TCMA
16:53 Vintage Cards and Their Impact