Dr. James Beckett: Sports Card Insights

Josh and I sat down in the Collectable Podcast studio (sorry, not fully sound-proofed) at the MINT Collective in Las Vegas and just talked about the sports card hobby, past, present, and future.  Thanks Josh!

The last twenty-five episodes filled with sports card insights in case you missed some (or I mis-spoke) - these recaps are another way for me to continue our dialogue about what makes this sports card hobby so great - thanks! 

Jeremy Lee interviewed me for more than an hour about the MINT Collective and Collectable's interesting coming-soon IPO's - check out his whole YouTube show - this is only a snippet - thanks Jeremy!

Jeff Hoferer, Panini's Hobby Marketing Director, sent over three different boxes of this year's basketball product - in spite of a strong pull from the highest price box - it was not my preference with respect to what I would pick going forward (if I had to pick just one). Thanks Jeff and Panini!

Doug, Cody, and I took a time-out at the MINT Collective and recorded this podcast directly from the show floor - thanks guys - keep up the great work with all you do!  Check out MojoBreak!

First a word about the importance of excellent vision and pattern recognition in the sports card hobby and then an interesting application of a medical nano-technology for your contemplation.

This Today's Collector interview (the full version) was released on YouTube leading up to the MINT Collective and was an effort to share different styles of collecting (and investing) from the present (and the past).  Enjoy this short excerpt.  Thanks Jeremy.

We kept the recorder going since I had a few additional basketball card questions for Jake and unsurprisingly he had a few extras for me as well - thanks Jake - enjoyed it!

Joel and I sat down near the end of the ground-breaking, first event of its kind, MINT Collective, in Las Vegas, and we share our perspective on the success as well as some suggestions for next year.  Thanks Collectable, IMG, and eBay ... and thanks Joel!

Today's Collector is found on the MINT Collective YouTube Channel - this is a small part of my interview that ran there in its entirety a few weeks ago.

Two similar but different baseball boxes - one slightly more expensive even with less autographs promised - both seven cards in the one pack which is the box - which one to choose - depends on how knowledgable you are about prospects and young players.

I compare Upper Deck Hockey Series One with O-Pee-Chee - both fine hockey products - I preferred O-Pee-Chee based on my collecting approach but UD Series One was probably better due to the Young Guns phenomenon.  Thanks Upper Deck!

Marty's interview went into overtime as we traded stories and reminiscences about the good old days of primarily baseball, and first and foremost for him, the New York Yankees.  Thanks Marty!

As you would expect from Jake, mostly basketball questions from him, and I gave him my best historical recollections.  History does not always repeat itself, but it's not to be ignored either.

Rich and I analyze the age-old battle between Mantle and Mays and the demand for their cards - what are the key factors determining why Mantle has become so much pricier?

Ryan's latest book is very helpful and recommended (and cheap insurance against getting burned) - it seems everyone eventually has an encounter with a counterfeit card. Thanks Ryan for your research!

Marty was the long-time PR Director for the New York Yankees and has lots of stories about Mantle and other Yankee stalwarts.  He also has written 24 books and worked for Topps, so I hope you enjoy his perspective as much as I did.  Thanks Marty!

Tom Brady has un-retired - celebration - confusion - certainly more upside than downside in the football card hobby, as Tom can add to his career stats - and more importantly, pursue another Super Bowl.  

Jake Roy shares his sports card (mostly basketball) origin story - I'd like to say Jake is typical for guys his age, but no, he's more passionate!

Rich sold all his cards at the last show and shares his feelings after the fact - it was a premeditated sale and we will see how long it takes Rich to build back better - in the meantime he will still be attending his usual shows including the resumption of his popular Adat synagogue show later this year.

Does the sports card hobby have identity issues - how healthy would we say it is?  Plus, what it takes to get kicked off my card wall, or at least quietly replaced. 

Would you attend a single-sport card show - I certainly would - assuming I loved that particular sport - I appreciate shows that have a known established distinctive tradition.  Thanks Ken.

Young Ryan Nolan has a great story, being a (vintage!) collector from his earliest memories - however in spite of his youth he has published a book, Spotting Fakes, and VLOG's many of the sports card shows around the country at shows, 52 shows last year! 

I started selling some lots on eBay and, although bucking some conventional wisdom, am enjoying the experience, and it has converted a bunch of cards into a few coins (not gold coins!).

Kevin sent me eight thematic ways he collects and displays sports cards and I commented as to whether I did it that way or some other way as we had some overlap.