Dr. James Beckett: Sports Card Insights

Getting closer to 1,000 episodes!  This has been fun.  If you have episode suggestions, send to doctorjamesbeckett@gmail.com  and thanks!

This episode is inspired by John Keating's new podcast of that same name - I have my own list of cards (not just baseball) I should have gotten by now and I share my lament with you.

Rich and I compare and contrast these two unremarkable mid-decade Topps baseball products.  Nevertheless we find interesting aspects to share about each of these sets.

Near Death Experiences discussed in terms of how you "hobby" when death is nearer, but perhaps not imminent.  Every year I am simplifying, and you should too if you are close to my age.

The final portion of our longer conversation about the hobby with his particular emphasis on the Seventies - thanks John for an enjoyable ride through that decade, my favorite decade for collecting!

On the day before April Fools, we take a look at some extreme and/or absurd examples of hobby aspects that could be stretched beyond recognition.  Have fun with this greatest hobby!

John Newman, Chris Harris, and Jeremy Lee joined in for this segment discussing the upcoming (today!) and expanded MINT Collective in Las Vegas.  Hope it's a great event!

Collectors frequently ask me what will be the next big thing.  Just within the world of sports there are so many types of collectibles that have yet to blow up.   

John Keating has completed his 80-episode run of That Seventies Card Show - I was honored to be his guest on his episode 79 and here are some highlights excerpted - thanks John!

Danny Black and Adam Palmer joined me last Saturday for the hour-long Hobby Hotline live call-in show.  Check out that show directly, as this only about ten minutes out of the hour.

Flippers come in many flavors and persuasions.  Misconceptions abound - we take time to address this interesting hobby phenomenon, which would not happen unless the hobby was dynamic!

Tim and I had some industry-related questions for each other based on the many different things we have each done in this great hobby.

Hear my opinions, perspectives, valuations, and interpretations about the perceptions in the marketplace of the sometimes-misunderstood grade of BGS 9.5, which is Gem Mint, but not Perfect, or even Pristine.

I try to give a different perspective using recent and past history, taking a closer look at why this excellent hockey high-end card product is curiously back-dated.

Tim and I sit down for a chat about the hobby and his origin story as a baseball player (still), coach, and collector - truly a lifetime hobby - thanks Tim!

Rich and I were joined by Matt Galvin as well as Angela and Stephan Loeffler for a Saturday afternoon of sorting baseball cards and discussing cards, specifically how to collect within your means.

This is the last half of our interview - most of the best stuff was in the article, but there are a few interchanges here that you might enjoy, especially if you are into basketball cards - thanks Adam!

Adam had asked me to answer his basketball specific questions for publication in his excellent monthly publication, Basketball Card Fanatic.  The issue and article have now appeared - you should subscribe digitally or physically - the article itself is better than these out-takes based on Adam's passion.   

Danny Black and Logan Ward joined me on this hour-long original episode of Hobby Hotline from which this has been edited down to less than 15 minutes - be sure to catch Hobby Hotline when it comes out on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings. 

Bobby had teed up his first (excellent) historical question for me in advance so I could be thinking about it, but after that we both went free form - advanced collectors usually have advanced questions - Thanks Bobby!

Keith had been saving a question/answer/story for just this opportunity - in the end we both gently shot down each other's story as way more fiction than fact - thanks Keith.

This is the last part of Victor's interview of me regarding all things "Rookie Card" - check out his YT channel for more depth - I expect these definitions will continue to evolve - don't assume the way it is, is the way it will always be.

Victor interviewed me for an hour about rookie cards, his favorite topic and research area.  One of the advantages of being older now is that I was there and present when some important decisions were made. 

I interviewed Bobby Baseball (not his real name) and heard first hand about his fabulous collection - but coincidentally, some of the ways he goes about it, are similar to how I hobby - very interesting.

My friend Bill Huggins passed away on Valentine's Day from heart failure - very sad day for me - his auction however will live on keeping the same identity that Bill established so well.  Sincerest condolences to Nancy, Ricky and Allison.