Episodes

Jan. 20, 2022

663 - The Sporting News, with Ryan Fagan

Ryan Fagan, senior baseball writer for The Sporting News, joins me for a discussion of the historical importance of that weekly tabloid, to which I was faithfully subscribed in my early days in this hobby.

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Jan. 19, 2022

666 - Dueling Questions with TS O’Connell and Rich Klein

We had a three-person question session that was fun with three old-timers reminiscing about the good old days of the hobby (when it really was a hobby) - thanks TS and thanks Rich!

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Jan. 18, 2022

665 - Dueling Questions 4.0, with Dane Coenen, Dynasty Breaks

Dane and I don't seem to run out of questions for each other. I am curious about his Dynasty Breaks business and he wants to know about the good old days of Beckett Publications. Thanks Dane.

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Jan. 17, 2022

664 - 1998-99 Pacific Hockey Brand Analysis, with Rich Klein

Rich and I break down the various Pacific hockey products that year: Aurora, Crown Royale, Dynagon Ice, Pacific (their flagship), and Paramount. Unfortunately missing info were Omega and Revolution. Thanks Mike Cramer!

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Jan. 14, 2022

662 - Dueling Questions with Kin Kinsley

Kin and I trade questions about the sports card hobby we have both pursued intensely for many decades - thanks Kin!

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Jan. 13, 2022

661 - Dueling Questions 3.0 with Dane Coenen, Dynasty Breaks

Dane Coenen of Dynasty Breaks is back for a third round of Dueling Questions with me about the sports card hobby and more specifically the business aspects. Thanks Dane!

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Jan. 12, 2022

660 - Tribute: Bob Lemke, with TS O’Connell and Rich Klein

Hobby icon and pioneer Bob Lemke has been gone (but not forgotten) for the past five years. We discuss his three huge contributions to the growth of our great hobby.

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Jan. 11, 2022

659 - 1987 Topps Baseball, with Ryan Fagan, The Sporting News

Rich Klein introduced me to Ryan, who has had a long-time special interest in 1987 Topps baseball cards - which is apparently shared by many who follow him - find out why?

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Jan. 10, 2022

658 - 1998 Pacific Football Brand Analysis, with Rich Klein

Rich and I review and explain the Pacific official production and distribution spreadsheets for the following 1998 Pacific football sub-brands: Aurora, Crown Royale, Omega, Paramount, and Revolution. We were surprised and you probably will be too.

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Jan. 8, 2022

657 - Tribute: Dan Reeves

Popular player and coach, Dan Reeves has passed away, due to complications with dementia - his rookie card is a proud member of my Card Wall of Fame for my visitors to see and have memories evoked.

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Jan. 7, 2022

656 - Tribute: John Clemens

John Clemens, veteran 1957 Topps baseball collector, minor league PA announcer, and all-around good guy passed away a few weeks ago from Multiple Myeloma. Our condolences to his family - he is missed!

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Jan. 6, 2022

655 - Origin: TS O’Connell, Editor, SCD, with Rich Klein

TS has worn many hats in this hobby/industry - many know him as the former editor of Sports Collectors Digest - but we first recognized him for his self-published artistic set of Baseball Greats from 1983 - Thanks TS and …

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Jan. 5, 2022

654 - Fanatics Buys Topps!

Michael Rubin, Fanatics primary owner, has moved very quickly again, strategically buying the trading card division of Topps for a reported $500 million - here's my take on the potential after-effects.

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Jan. 4, 2022

653 - Origin: Kin Kinsley

We hear from Kin about his sports card hobby origin story - pretty consistent over the decades and still enjoying the ride. Thanks Kin for sharing!

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Jan. 3, 2022

652 - 1999 Pacific Baseball Brand Analysis, with Rich Klein

Rich and I review official production and distribution figures for the following 1999 Pacific Baseball products: Aurora, Crown Collection, Crown Royale, Invincible, Omega, Paramount, Prism, Private Stock, and Revolution.

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Jan. 1, 2022

651 - New Year’s Day Musings

Some random sports card hobby thoughts, resolutions, directions, and insights for the coming year - Let's make 2022 the best year yet.

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Dec. 31, 2021

650 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 624-648

A brief recap of the past 25 episodes over the last month in case you missed some - plus I sometimes think of some additional insights to share. Thanks!

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Dec. 30, 2021

649 - Tribute: John Madden

John Madden at 85 has passed - iconic in American sports in several ways, outstanding NFL coach, popular broadcaster, and his Madden video game longevity. Thanks for making football entertaining for all.

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Dec. 29, 2021

648 - MINT Collective, with Ezra Levine, CEO of Collectable

Co-founder Ezra Levine explains why he is so bullish on our industry and this upcoming high-end trade event in Las Vegas at the end of January. Encouraged by the early indications of key participants.

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Dec. 28, 2021

647 - Out-Takes on Upper Deck, Marketing, and MINT Collective from Ho…

Jeremy Lee and Jason Dean Martin had wide ranging discussions of these sports card hobby topics - excerpted from the live call-in Hobby Hotline video show last Saturday morning.

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Dec. 27, 2021

646 - The Tiger Woods Event, with Pepper Hastings

Pepper represented our company (well) at this amazing never-repeated hobby event years ago with prime Tiger Woods - Pepper shares his insights - you will wish the sports card hobby had more events like that. Thanks Upper Deck!

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Dec. 25, 2021

645 - Christmas Musings

Some thoughts on this joyous season and how we express it - we have much to be thankful for - and yet we are all hoping 2022 will be even better.

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Dec. 24, 2021

644 - Questions from JP Cohen, Memory Lane

JP had some extemporaneous questions for me about the sports card hobby we both love - especially vintage baseball - thanks JP.

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Dec. 23, 2021

643 - Interview: Ezra Levine, CEO of Collectable

Ezra describes his hobby ride including the founding and growth of the fractional trading platform, Collectable, which has garnered lots of attention from individual and institutional investors.

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