Dr. James Beckett: Sports Card Insights

A discussion with Chris Ivy, how he got started in this industry, and how he spearheaded the move of coin auction giant, Heritage, into sports cards and collectibles in a big way.

Tracy Hackler sits down and discusses his hobby history including two stints at Beckett Publications, now the digital face of Panini America Sports.

Tracy Hackler (of Panini - PaniniAmerica.net) was kind enough to bring over some boxes of Panini football products recently released.  Opening and describing the cards and the experience included what I liked about each box.

Patty Young, the effervescent co-host of the Kit (and Patty) Young Hawaii Trade Show as well as the exclusive Maui extension, took those events to new heights through her relational skills and sensitivity. 

1990-91 Hoops Basketball was the second-year product from the NBA's official card producer.

I enjoy interviewing my dad on his 94th birthday about his card collecting and business management background - some of the blessings I received from my dad! 

Hoops was the official card of the NBA; this is a review of this first set from Hoops, including the anticipated debut of David Robinson.

Rich Klein and I discuss the importance of Baseball Hobby News, as a pace-setting hobby newspaper tabloid from 1979 through the '90's.  Frank and Vivian Barning, our friends, the husband-wife founding publishers and editors of BHN, are now comfortably retired in Las Vegas, after a great run.

Rich and I discuss how sports card stores and shops have evolved over the years.

Examining nepotism in professional sports, kid sports, and in business, specifically Beckett Publications back in 1984.

Rich and I I discuss what it would be like to attend your first card show as a new collector.

Rich and I discuss what it would be like for a newbie to visit a card store, what to look for and what to avoid.

Rich Klein and I discuss where we were on 9/11/01 and how it affected us, our company, our industry, and our American culture.

Jay Johnson, subject of Episode 034, turns the tables, asking questions about why Beckett Publications did things the way we did, frequently counter-intuitive. We discuss our initial advertising policies; our two editorial maxims: positive tone and no investment advice; strict conflict of interest policy; and other things. 

Some strategies for buying cards at the National Sports Collectors Convention depending on your objectives.  Wandering the floor?  Systematic or Random?  Front to back or back to front?  Clockwise or counter-clockwise?

A conversation with Eric Norton, voice of Fat Packs, Beckett Media's excellent weekly (every Thursday) podcast, about different approaches to and inner workings of podcasting as well as covering the sports card hobby.

Rich Klein and I open a box each of 2019 Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball (courtesy of Dane Coenen of Dynasty Breaks) and discuss and enjoy what we got.

We recap the past four weeks of episodes including the reflections and feedback of readers.  The month's most popular episodes were in hindsight relatively predictable.  Your feedback, questions or comments can be sent to doctorjamesbeckett@gmail.com.

I walk through Rich Klein's famous Labor Day Adat Chaverim synagogue show and describe my experience for those of you not here.  Starting with the drive-up, the admission table out front, and some pleasant interactions with table holders, collectors, and friends.  Great fun but difficult to describe without pictures or video.

Dr. Beckett recounts his Labor Day experiences, with emphasis on "labor", between 1979 and 1996, also announcing that there will be no episode released on this Monday in honor of Labor Day.

Mike Fruitman turns the tables and interviews me about my 1980 co-ownership of a local Dallas card store as well as other reminiscences in response to Mike's questions.  Since we have not known each other as long except by reputation, it was an interesting interchange.

National sports card dealer Wayne Varner of Shoebox Cards in the Pittsburgh area recently passed away after an extended illness.  He was a stalwart on the card show circuit for decades and was our good friend and a strong contributor, certainly worthy of honor.

Different ways to sort cards.

A visit with Jay Johnson, our 13th employee hired at Beckett Publications, who worked in a variety of leadership roles for us from 1989-1999, including a look back at those good old days, in that fast-growing publishing environment.  

A visit with Dane Coenen of Dynasty Breaks, discussing the joys of breaking from his and his particular community's perspective.  More info at www.dynastybreaks.com  or at dynastybreaksllc@gmail.com.