Dr. James Beckett: Sports Card Insights

Geoff Wilson, founder of the popular podcast and YouTube "Sports Card Investor", joins for a discussion of his origin story and his card investment philosophies and practical helps.

We discuss the growth and potential for the different excellent podcasts covering our hobby/industry as well as other current topics.  You may recognize my voice by now, but there were many outstanding contributors in attendance who shared their thoughts, Rich Klein at 0:00, Geoff Wilson at 2:10, Dave Sliepka at 3:30, Rich Klein at 4:20, Don Spence at 5:25, Keith Hower at 9:00, Jordan Hagedorn at...

We discuss our predictions for the upcoming year.  Not including me, you are hearing from Tim Trout 0:40, Don Spence at 1:15, Eric Norton at 1:45, Rob Springs at 2:20, Rich Klein at 2:50, Tim Trout at 3:25, Rob Springs at 3:45, Keith Hower at 5:20, Rich Klein at 7:00, Brian Fleischer at 7:40, Geoff Wilson at 8:05, Rob Springs at 9:45, Geoff Wilson at 10:25, Rich Klein at 10:45, Jordan Hagedorn at...

Just got back from the Topps Million Card Rip Party at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX with about 18 different high-profile industry breakers who are breaking one million 2020 Topps Series One Baseball cards.

We discuss the outlook for baseball cards in 2020 around the big board table over dinner.  Speaking and contributing, other than me, are Tim Trout 0:00, Rich Klein at 1:00, Rob Springs at 2:30, Rich Klein at 4:15, Joe Davis at 5:20, Rob Springs at 5:40, Tim Getsch at 6:20, Jordan Hagedorn at 6:40, Geoff Wilson at 6:55, Jordan Hagedorn at 7:15, Tim Trout at 7:45, Jordan Hagedorn at 8:00, Tim Trout...

We discuss the upcoming Topps Million Card Rip Party at Jerry Jones' American Airlines Stadium with 18 breakers busting a million card that day.  The voices you are hearing, other than me, are Rich Klein at 0:10, Tim Trout at 0:40, Keith Hower at 2:20, Joe White at 2:50, Dane Coenen at 3:20, Tim Trout at 4:50, Rich Klein at 5:00, Keith Hower at 5:40, and Jordan Hagedorn at 9:30.

Do you prefer being your own boss or having a job with a steady paycheck?  There are many opportunities in this industry with most hobby businesses doing very well.  Let me know at doctorjamesbeckett@gmail.com  if you are interested in this topic - especially if you are in the DFW area.

Mike Fruitman (Mike's Stadium Sports Cards in Aurora, CO) and I discuss the legacy of Kobe and what has happened during this first week after his passing and some ethical and pricing considerations raised.

Our round-table discussion of which cards are "safer" at the annual hobby vintage dinner.  The voices you hear, besides mine, are Jordan Hagedorn at 0:00, Rich Klein at 1:20, Shane Leonard at 2:45, Jerry Adamic at 3:10, Stephan Loeffler at 3:45, Leon Luckey at 4:30, Jordan Hagedorn at 4:50, Tim Getsch at 6:00, Rich Klein at 6:20, Tim Getsch at 7:00, Shane Leonard at 9:00, Chris Ivy at 9:55, Jordan...

A round-table discussion about collection narratives at our recent vintage  sports hobby dinner.  Besides me, the other voices you hear are Tim Getsch at 0:00, Jordan Hagedorn at 1:05, Stephan Loeffler at 3:05, Jordan Hagedorn at 4:05, Rich Klein at 5:15, Paul Rogers at 5:30, Eddie Kelly at 8:00, Tim Getsch at 9:00, Shane Leonard at 9:40, Paul Rogers at 12:15, David Porter at 12:45, and Leon Lucke...

We recap the past twenty-plus episodes (#119-138) for those of you who selectively listen.  Send feedback to doctorjamesbeckett@gmail.com  if you have questions or suggestions.

Where does vintage end in terms of the year - 1980? - 1973? - 1960? - 1945?  Assuming you recognize my voice, others attending spoke and contributed as follows: David Porter at 0:45, Leon Luckey at 1:05, Shane Leonard at 2:40, Tim Getsch at 3:00, Shane Leonard at 3:50, Jerry Adamic at 4:55, Rich Klein at 5:20, Andy Broome at 5:55, Chris Ivy at 7:15, Shane Leonard at 7:30, Chris Ivy at 8;20, Rich K...

Beckett Publications was sold on January 25-26, 2005 - this episode focuses on the aftermath of the sale, tracking over the last fifteen years. Any questions or comments about this or any other episode, just email me at doctorjamesbeckett@gmail.com  with your thoughts.  Thanks!    

Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash earlier today.  My primary reaction is sadness - nevertheless there has been an immediate effect on his cards and collectibles.

A round-table discussion on the aspirational promise of the soccer card market from the recent modern hobby dinner.  You probably can recognize my voice by now, but others weighing in are Joe Davis at 0:00, Dave Sliepka at 1:10, Rich Klein at 1:55, Brian Fleischer at 2:20, Joe Davis at 4:20, and Rob Springs at 4:25. 

A round-table discussion of price guide anomalies from the recent modern hobby dinner.  You probably recognize my voice by now, but others chiming in are Brian Fleischer at 0:10, Tim Getsch at 1:20, Brian Fleischer at 3:20, Rich Klein at 3:40, Brians Fleischer at 4:00, Tim Trout at 4:20, Brian Fleischer at 4:50, and Eric Norton at 5:55.

Over the next two weeks I will be releasing several episodes unpacking the conversations which took place around our big board table over dinner.  Please forgive the poor audio, but I believe the candid, unpredictable conversation (among the 15 or 16 hobby experts participating) was worth recording and presenting to you. 

Beckett Publications was sold on January 25-26, 2005 - almost exactly fifteen years ago.  I focus on what led up to the sale as well as some of the pre-sale considerations and concessions.  I knew what I was retiring from, but not perfectly what I was retiring to. 

The second year of Score football did not have the rookie star power of their inaugural year, but had a plethora of interesting embedded subsets providing collectors multiple versions and depictions of their favorite players.  

Rich and I discuss the hypothetical "what if" scenario that Burbank Sportscards or Mike's Stadium Sportcards did not exist - and who or what would fill that void.  If you have a "what if" concept you would like considered, contact doctorjamesbeckett@gmail.com  with your thoughts.

Rich and I compare and contrast Walt Alston and Sparky Anderson, two Hall of Fame managers, who had notable lack of success as players.  If a group of '50's or '60's Topps cards for sale indicates "Hall of Famers" included, you would be hoping they are not referring only to these two fine managers!

Today is Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 20, 2020, and hence our episode concerns Jackie Robinson, who broke the color line for Major League Baseball back in 1947 and then went on to a Hall of Fame career.  His cards, especially his two rookie cards, and autographs (he died in 1972) are highly sought after.

Racial harmony is important.  I have not always taken MLK Day seriously, but recently in my retirement I have hosted black/white friendship dinners, which have been mutually enriching with respect to increasing understanding.  Sports and sports card collecting can also play a part.  People always ask me what I do in my retirement - I can now say I am a podcaster!  But I also do other interesting t...

Where were you on January 20, 1968?  I know exactly where I was and what I was doing - but more importantly - who I was with.  Best friends were formed that evening that furthered my enjoyment of sports and this great hobby.  

Alan Rosen (Mr. Mint) was a force in our industry for three decades, marketing and elevating our hobby into mainstream life.  Dave Sliepka and I discuss his significant long-term positive impact on our industry.