Dr. James Beckett: Sports Card Insights

John had saved up some questions for me and I did my best to answer them - the problem with the past can be that it was a long time ago, and he stumped me on his first question.  Thanks John!

The last five weeks of daily podcasts in a very brief summary format in case you missed a few, plus additional insights that have come up in the interim including some more card wall videos posted to my YouTube channel - thanks for listening or watching.

Seven more sports card hobby questions from the email bag - thanks and send yours to doctorjamesbeckett@gmail.co m and thank you very much!

Ken and I swapped questions and answers all about hockey card collecting, including how, when, and why the Beckett Hockey monthly magazine got started.

Kevin is a third-grade teacher and we continued our robust discussion about how to get kids more involved in this great sports card hobby.

John and I interviewed each other, commenting and following up on topics discussed on our mutual past podcast episodes, starting off with the plight of hobby sports card distributors.

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of a hobby content event - especially a live twice-weekly call-in video show with rotating multiple, eclectic hosts - it works!

Jay Baker, former CEO of Kohl's, specialized 26 years ago on meaningful memorabilia from the five iconic players of his favorite team, the New York Yankees, and Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, and Jeter.  Now viewable on exhibit at Artis-Naples, The Baker Museum, in Naples, Florida.  Great foresight, Jay!

Another seven - always different - always surprised - thanks for your sports card hobby questions and comments - keep them coming - and send to doctorjamesbeckett@gmail.com

John Newman and Jeff Dinson were my co-hosts on this recent Hobby Hotline, where we discussed, along with live commenters, the roll-out of this eBay Authentication requirement for certain items above $750. 

Anything newsworthy can have an effect on card sales and prices - changing teams especially - hobby love is stronger with certain cities and franchises - we will see how it plays out in the standings and future card values.

Those selected each year sometimes see a bump in their card values and interest - however this year some of the non-selectees were just as hot, likely because they are considered good bets for next year.

Jay has the best memorabilia collection in the world for the Yankees' Big Five: Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, and Jeter - currently on exhibit at Artis-Naples, The Baker Museum, in Naples, Florida.

I  accumulated another seven questions from a variety of sources - please send your sports card hobby questions to doctorjamesbeckett@gmail.co m  and thanks!

Josh Luber's epic paper on the hobby/industry deserves a read (and a re-read).  Eager to see how Fanatics tries to take our hobby/industry to the next level.  I mention several interesting important asides amplifying or clarifying some of Josh's excellent points. 

The third and final installment of my interview with Ryan - I was curious about his business model and his technical prowess and where he will be a in a few years - thanks Ryan and keep up the good work.

The second half of my catch-up with John Bello on the early days of the football card boom plus some insights from Hawaii's Mr. Pro Bowl, Bill Chandler.

Stimulated by an insightful comment/question from Victor Roman Sr. during this live show, we addressed it briefly then, and I have added in some further reflection at the beginning.  Bottom line: a few bad stories out there, but tons of great stories.  Constructively deal with the bad - future good can come of it.

Brad, Rich, and I are regulars at Kyle Robertson's every-other month big card show at Watters Creek in the DFW Metroplex - we reflect on why the show has caught on to be the preeminent non-national show in the country - congratulations Kyle.

This was the most one-sided box battle that I can remember - a truly shocking result that was completely unexpected - thanks Upper Deck!

What happens to Brady's cards now that he is officially retired?  Are any of his cards currently undervalued?  What is the upside for the next five years?

John Bello presided over the spectacular growth in the football card category back in the late 1980's and early 1990's - he gave Lud Denny his shot with Pro Set!

Dustin and I kept going with our sports card hobby questions - many what-if's and hypotheticals from me - and his several questions for me were not too tricky - thanks Dustin!

This Breaking Cardboard show featured young teen and pre-teen collectors (and future of the hobby): Brody the Kid, Jacob Burris, BlakeDown, and Max and Owen Gotcher.  Those conversations stimulated many thoughts I wanted to share - thanks guys! 

It's not second-guessing if decisions have not been made yet.  Based on our combined hobby experiences, Ted and I project the impact of Fanatics on our whole category and we are optimistic.