Episodes

Nov. 8, 2019

087 - Origin: BAS (Beckett Authentication Services) with Jeromy Murray

Jeromy and I discuss Beckett Media's big move into authenticating with the global launch of Beckett Authentication Services a few years ago. Jeromy is Beckett Media's VP over grading and authentication.

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Nov. 7, 2019

086 - Catalog: Huggins & Scott November 14 Auction Review

A review of Huggins & Scott's Auction closing November 14, 2019. I enjoy perusing the eclectic lots (2023 lots!), some of which I will be bidding on!

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Nov. 6, 2019

085 - Tribute: Mike Gordon (with Rich Klein)

A Tribute to Mike Gordon, a key contributor to our industry, show dealer, store owner, and co-promoter of the 1984 National Sports Collectors Convention in Parsippany, New Jersey. If you have any comments or questions about this or any other …

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Nov. 5, 2019

084 - Origin: Andy Broome, Senior Vintage Grader at BGS

Andy and I discuss his hobby history and why he is so passionate about grading and authentication and vintage cards. Long ago Andy was the principal grader for a smaller grading company - we respected Andy so much, we bought …

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Nov. 4, 2019

083 - Players: Luis Aparicio and Luke Appling

A look at two old-time Chicago White Sox shortstops - alphabetically adjacent in the Baseball Hall of Fame, coincidentally with the same initials! For comments or questions about this or any other episode, try doctorjamesbeckett@gmail.com.

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Nov. 1, 2019

082 - Sponsor Review: Our Podcast Sponsors (with Eric Norton)

Eric and I discuss each of this podcast's sponsors (Beckett Media, COMC, Burbank Sportscards, Mike's Stadium Sportscards, Heritage Auctions, Huggins & Scott Auctions, Panini, Topps, and Upper Deck) and his workings with them, and their positives from his...

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Oct. 31, 2019

081 - Tribute: Gloria Rothstein (with Rich Klein)

Gloria Rothstein, founder of the long-running, very successful card shows in White Plains and other East Coast venues, brought excellence and professionalism to our hobby, as Rich Klein and I reminisce about our experiences there over the years.

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Oct. 30, 2019

080 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 039-058

I recap the highlights of the past 20 episodes ... in case you missed some. As some of you may know, I listen to podcasts at 1.5X speed or faster, and you can too, as most podcast listening apps have …

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Oct. 29, 2019

079 - Origin: Kevin Isaacson (industry consultant)

We trace Kevin's hobby journey from Krause Publications up through his many consultant engagements, including a long stint with eBay.

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Oct. 28, 2019

078 - Interview: Emily Kless (Topps Communications Manager)

Emily and I have a phone conversation about her background and important role at Topps.

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Oct. 25, 2019

077 - Interview: James C.M. Beckett (My 13-year-old nephew)

A first-person (past) hobby experience from my very sharp nephew.

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Oct. 24, 2019

076 - Set: 1970 Topps Baseball (with Rich Klein)

See Topps.com for more info.

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Oct. 23, 2019

075 - Then and Now: Pepper Hastings

Pepper and I talk about the early days of Beckett Publications contrasted with later days, spanning more than two decades, including the true story of the midnight disposal of damaged copies of the inaugural issue #1 of Beckett Baseball Card …

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Oct. 21, 2019

073 - Player: John Elway (with Tracy Hackler)

Tracy Hackler's favorite football player is discussed - his cards, memorabilia, and peers.

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Oct. 18, 2019

072 - Then and Now: BGS with Jeromy Murray, VP of Grading

We discuss Jeromy's career over 19 years at Beckett Media, culminating in his current leadership of BGS, BAS, and CBCS (their newest service with comic books).

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Oct. 17, 2019

071 - Set: 1990 Upper Deck Baseball

See upperdeck.com for more info.

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Oct. 16, 2019

070 - Interview: David Poole, BGS Grader Trainer

David and I discuss the enjoyment of his career over the past twenty years at BGS, including his current role training the new potential graders coming in to help with the huge demand for grading.

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Oct. 15, 2019

069 - Tribute: Dan Dischley, Founder of The Trader Speaks

Dan Dischley was the Founder, Editor, and Publisher of The Trader Speaks, the leading monthly publication in the hobby beginning in 1968. Dan was also one of the co-founders of SABR )Society of American Baseball Research).

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Oct. 14, 2019

068 - Sponsor Review: Fat Packs Sponsors (with Eric Norton)

Eric and I discuss podcast sponsorship, especially his sponsors and how they work well together.

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Oct. 11, 2019

067 - Tribute: Ace Marchant (with Rich Klein)

Ace Marchant, college professor (Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology) and National sports collectibles dealer, passed away a few years ago. Rich and I discuss our interesting, intellectual interactions (especially about reading books) with Ace over a coupl...

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Oct. 10, 2019

066 - Origin: Pepper Hastings

Pepper was one of the first full-time non-family employees for Beckett Publications, coming in summer of 1986, and served well in a multiplicity of leadership roles for more than two decades. We discuss those early days - how he got …

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Oct. 9, 2019

065 - Hockey Box Reviews: 2019-20 Upper Deck Artifacts and 2019-20 Up…

2019-20 Upper Deck hockey products are opened and discussed - Artifacts and O-Pee-Chee - contrasted and evaluated. Plus a conundrum: buying a young hockey star's house.

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Oct. 8, 2019

064 - Interview: Heritage Sports Auctions (with Chris Ivy)

Chris and I discuss the growth and success of Heritage Sports Auctions.

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