Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-4xzvq-1b2a07c Dr. Beckett recaps his week at the 2026 National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago, describing the event as maximally crowded, the biggest National ever, with long lines and high energy. He details his buying-focused approach centered on dollar boxes, especially with the Singles Club, noting which days and…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-eaw76-1b1d81a Dr. Beckett talks with Brian Gray about high-volume card buying at the National, including last year’s long sell-to-him lines driven by many $1,000–$20,000 transactions and $3.1M spent in cash, and this year’s plan to use QR-coded five-minute appointment windows due to booth location constraints. Gray explains how modern…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-jjqbs-1b1219f Dr. Beckett argues that as the sports card hobby has grown into a larger industry, it needs a more organized “clearinghouse” to connect employers with qualified talent across full-time, part-time, remote, seasonal, and contract roles. He cites fragmented hiring, word-of-mouth recruiting, and scattered job listings (including Brett McGrath’s,…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-ud632-1b12190 Dr. Beckett discusses how job seekers can use the National as the best place to connect with most major hobby companies, compared with smaller shows, and urges “free agents” to present themselves as problem solvers with a clear, direct elevator pitch and a digital resume. He advises candidates…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-q3urg-1b12187 Dr. Beckett discusses hiring in the sports card hobby after a young friend asked for help, focusing on what hobby companies actually need beyond job titles. He emphasizes identifying the business problem or growth opportunity first, separating teachable skills from foundational traits like work ethic and integrity, and…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-chjkd-1b1d815 Dr. Beckett discusses the buzz around Keith Olbermann’s T206 “Restored Die-Cut Wagner” being sold via Love of the Game (auction closing August 8), explaining how the card was historically altered and later skillfully rebuilt using authentic card material, raising debate over restoration vs. deceptive alteration and how graders…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-f4pc4-1b1216f Dr. Beckett interviews David from Card Boredom about his 24-page deep-dive research (free at Cardboredom.com) on 1949 Leaf Baseball, focusing on 28 true graphic-stage variations clearly caused by a plate change rather than printing defects. They discuss why price guides and grading companies have been slow to update…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-eq79w-1b17eff Dr. Beckett recaps the biggest non-National show weekend in hobby history, with three major events running simultaneously—Fanatics Fest, the Dallas Card Show, and the West Coast Card Show, without the cannibalization some feared. He argues there’s enough cards, dealers, money, and interest to support all three and says…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-4wdhc-1b1214e Dr. Beckett and this week's Hobby Hotline crew (Adam Palmer and Tony TJ is Online) discuss news that Michael Jordan has extended his exclusive legacy partnership with Upper Deck, including Goodwin Champions redemptions for signed 1986 Fleer basketball wax packs and an eBay-auctioned 1-of-1 signed 1986 Fleer box…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-w28za-1ade059 Dr. Beckett compares going to Disney World with attending The National sports card show, drawing on trips to Disneyland and Disney World from the 1960s to the 1990s and his long history of attending The National, including taking his family in 1990. With an extended-family Disney World trip…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-n7keg-1b0b062 Dr. Beckett rambles and discusses how grading companies like PSA and BGS can make occasional labeling mistakes, noting the scale issue when volumes are high, and compares it to an Amazon shipping error that benefited him, suggesting AI checks could reduce such problems. He reflects on dynamic pricing…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-m2df6-1b0b045 Dr. Beckett discusses advice for a collector flying to this weekend's West Coast Burbank card show who wants to buy an expensive card and is considering bringing $30,000 in cash. He weighs show buying versus auctions, explains why cash is often preferred at shows, and reviews alternatives like…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-ubc92-1b0337e Dr. Beckett and Darin Ostrom discuss how to get Darin’s deeply researched history of 1990s sports cards published when his YouTube viewership is limited and traditional publishers want authors with large followings. They explore obstacles like fragmented digital audiences, declining print publishing, lack of wholesale distribution, and the…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-v343a-1b03376 Dr. Beckett previews an upcoming conversation with Darren Ostrom (the Sports Card Professor) about publishing a hobby book and reflects on how “virality” has evolved in sports card collecting. Beckett contrasts earlier eras when buzz spread slowly by word of mouth, mail, and limited shows and was driven…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-j5i7b-1aee8d5 Dr. Beckett shares out-takes from Hobby Hotline and his co-hosts Adam Palmer and Rich Klein. Rich describes going with the flow at shows and finding bargains like a Riley Greene Heritage All-Star variation and short-printed Hall of Famers, plus selectively buying specific base rookies. They note live selling…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-jt2kg-1b0336a Dr. Beckett dedicates the episode to hobby giant Jack Smalling, who died last week at age 85. Beckett reflects on his friendship with Smalling beginning in the 1970s Midwest show circuit and credits him as foundational to the through-the-mail autograph hobby through his exhaustive baseball autograph address list,…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-8r2zv-1aee8c3 Dr. Beckett interviews Waco dealers Ben Bush and sons Ryan and Sterling, sharing how their family built a fast-turn, buy-right/sell-right card business. They discuss learning basics like comps, triaging and organizing inventory as a team, adapting to each show’s changing demand, and growing through live streaming and Whatnot…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-45zk4-1aee8a5 Dr. Beckett interviews the Bush family of Waco: dad Ben and sons Ryan and Sterling about running a family sports card business built around Whatnot and frequent card-show buying. Ben explains they have seven children, with five family members involved: Ryan and Sterling run the Whatnot shows, Ben…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-z8tce-1aee88a Dr. James Beckett welcomes Cage Lawyer and his 13-year-old son, Ian (who really wants to go to this year's National). They discuss hobby friendships, how Ian and his dad differ in what they collect (sports vs Pokémon) and risk tolerance, and the fun and financial lessons around breaking…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-4wxek-1aee86d Dr. Beckett hosts a father-son episode with Cage Lawyer and his 13-year-old son Ian (“Cage Lawyer Jr.”) discussing their hobby experiences and what cards teach about life. They share stories of Cage being recognized at shows and even at an airport, Ian’s interest in becoming an investor, and…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-mbz94-1aee848 Dr. Beckett welcomes Graig Miller (Mid-Life Cards) and his dad, Michael, discussing why they collect, the appeal of old “artifacts” cards, and the imagined journey of items like an 1888 N76 Thomas Edison. They contrast collecting “lanes,” with Michael focused and Graig boundary-pushing, and explain why value matters…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-8wczs-1aee823 Dr. Beckett welcomes Graig Miller (Mid-Life Sports Cards) and his father Michael. They discuss Graig’s new book, Midlife Card Çollecting Stories, and the growth of his YouTube channel and podcast into a network. Michael describes Graig as naturally shy and reflects on how they both approach teaching and…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-bw3g4-1aee7f3 Dr. Beckett recaps episodes 1526–1549 and revisits key themes: defining cash grabs, GOAT's, iconic cards, and then hobby pushbacks on eye appeal, grading consistency, and market manipulation. Dr. Beckett summarizes trips to the Toronto Sports Expo and the Watters Creek show, as well as episodes on lifelong reading/learning…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-8wczs-1aee823 Dr. Beckett welcomes Graig Miller (Mid-Life Sports Cards) and his father Michael. They discuss Graig’s new book, Midlife Card Çollecting Stories, and the growth of his YouTube channel and podcast into a network. Michael describes Graig as naturally shy and reflects on how they both approach teaching and…