Videos

April 8, 2024

1205 - Upper Deck Hockey Hobby Box Battle (Bedard?)

Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-26zk5-15cb987 Four unique hockey card products from Upper Deck, beginning with 2022-23 Parkhurst Champions, praised for its blend of veterans, legends, and rookies, despite its lack of premium feel. Then 2022/23 Upper Deck Clear Cut is scrutinized for its confusing release year and the unusual gamble of obtaining a…

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April 5, 2024

1204 - Restoration Questions, with Brian Gray, Part 2

Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-ghje7-15ca46f Pressing issues surrounding card grading, authentication, and restoration. They debate the merits and ethics of card restoration, highlighting how altered cards are currently processed and perceived by grading companies and collectors alike. The discussion also explores the future of card grading, suggesting technological solutions for tracking a card's…

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April 3, 2024

1203 - Restoration Questions, with Brian Gray

Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-ma29x-15ca324 The ethics of card restoration, the practice of altering cards for grading purposes, and the challenges faced in detecting such modifications. Dr. Beckett presents his views on the widening gap in card prices due to grading and shares his expertise on improving detection methods to maintain the integrity…

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April 1, 2024

1202 - Small Nuggets in Plain Sight, with Brian Gray

Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-abmzk-15ca306 Exploring the nuanced strategies for unearthing hidden gems within the sports card market. Both speakers employ a type of contrarian approach to collecting, specifically by showing interest in cards that the majority of the market overlooks due to their low cost. They challenge the prevailing market trends that…

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March 29, 2024

1201 - Founder's Half-Life, with Brian Gray

Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-5nnxp-15c341c Dr. James Beckett and Brian Gray, formerly of Leaf, delve deep into the concept of corporate culture in the sports card industry, focusing on the persisting influence of company founders even after they've left. They explore how the cultural imprints of iconic figures like Richard McWilliam of Upper…

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March 27, 2024

1200 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 1176-1199

Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-gevy8-15bf238 Recap of episodes 1176 to 1199 from the 'Sports Card Insights' podcast, showcasing a rich array of topics within the sports card collecting hobby. The episodes cover discussions on vintage collectibles, the intricacies of card grading, and insights into football cards, including Beckett's participation in the Football Card…

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March 27, 2024

1051 - 2023 Panini Zenith Football Hobby Box Reveal

This premium box, priced at around $400, contains a single pack of six exclusive cards, including two autographs—one being a patch autograph—and a selection of one rookie card, one base card, and two inserts, highlighting a peculiar emphasis on inserts over base cards. Amidst the unboxing, Dr. Beckett shares his…

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March 27, 2024

1050 - Video: 2023 Panini Limited Football Hobby Box Reveal

An insightful review of the 2023 Panini Limited football hobby box, detailing its market price range of $350-$400 and the guaranteed content of two autographs and one memorabilia card within the box of three packs. Beyond examination of the box's contents, Dr. Beckett contemplates the history and branding evolution from…

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March 27, 2024

1049 - Video: 2023 Panini Illusions Football Hobby Box Reveal

Retailing at approximately $400, this box includes 10 packs, each containing five cards, which collectively promise an average yield of three autographs and two memorabilia cards. Dr. Beckett outlines the box's contents with a detailed examination of specific cards, assessing the potential value and performance of players such as Aiden…

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March 27, 2024

1048 - Video: 2023-24 Panini Elite Basketball Hobby Box Reveal

2023-24 Panini Elite Box, prominently featuring Luka Doncic on the cover, six packs per box and eight cards per pack, summing up to 48 cards, with notable inclusions being two autographs and a series of inserts and parallel inserts highlighting rookies and veterans. 01:31 Diving Into the Packs: The Unveiling…

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March 27, 2024

1047 - Video: 2023 Panini Spectra Football Hobby Box Reveal

2023 Panini Spectra Football card box, prominently featuring Anthony Richardson on its cover. Promising four autographs and four memorabilia cards out of the total 16 cards. I highlight a hiccup with Google's search functionality, which amusingly fails to prioritize sports cards in its results, despite my active involvement in the…

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March 25, 2024

1199 - Shohei Ohtani's Interpreter

Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-sfagh-15bf216 Scandal involving Shohei Ohtani's interpreter, accused of incurring substantial gambling debts. Dr. Beckett ponders the possibility of the gambling accusations being shifted towards the purchasing and investing in sports cards, particularly those of Ohtani, highlighting the thin line between gambling and informed speculation in the hobby. Further, he…

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March 22, 2024

1198 - Rule of 72

Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-ghse9-15b98c1 Balance between passion and pragmatism? Addressing the often ambiguous line between collecting for pleasure and investing for profit, underscoring that both can coexist with the right insight and strategy. Highlighting the implications of inflation and the significance of surpassing a 5% annual return, the benchmark of risk-free investments,…

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March 20, 2024

1197 - Thumbtacks

Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-shy6v-15aac25 We delve into the realm of sports card alterations, distinguishing between deceptive modern alterations and childish alterations from the past, such as thumbtacks or tape on cards during the 1950s and 1960s. While altered cards are indeed worth less, they should not be considered worthless. In fact, in…

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March 18, 2024

1196 - Listener Questions about My Card Wall

Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-ih7yd-159aeb3 He shares an interesting perspective on binge-watching his content, a habit he personally enjoys and believes adds momentum and enjoyment to consuming media. Viewers' comments spark discussions on various topics, from the binge-ability of his videos to specific interesting cards like the Vern Gagne wrestling card and a…

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March 15, 2024

1195 - Listener Questions on YouTube Hobby Box Reveals

Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-awr6g-159d5fa An array of listener questions and feedback originating from his YouTube channel, where he shares box opening videos. We touch on topics like the appreciation for the artistic effort behind sports card sets, notably Court Kings basketball, and shares his personal experiences and surprises from opening high-value card…

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March 13, 2024

1194 - Listener Questions on RC Ramblings

Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-vhyph-159d5ce Dr. Beckett reflects on his previous discussions with Victor Roman on the RC Ramblings episodes, delving into the nuances of what constitutes a 'junk wax' product and the transformative impact of grading on card values. Listeners are introduced to eclectic collecting preferences, like pursuing pre-rookie cards and the…

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March 11, 2024

1193 - Nine Listener Questions 7.0

Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-x3xjs-15a2c9a A wide array of listener questions are addressed, covering topics from the intricacies of trading on COMC, spotting celebrities on sports cards, to the aesthetic considerations of slab uniformity in collections. Discussions extend to the impact of personalities like Jeremy Lee on the sports card content atmosphere, alongside…

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March 8, 2024

1192 - Dueling Questions with Joe Orlando, Part 3

Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-89wvu-159140b The final part of this insightful and engaging conversation, we reflect on the evolution of card manufacturing since the 1980s and discuss the potential impacts of ongoing changes within the sector. A primary topic of discussion is the entry of Fanatics into the industry, and the potential for…

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March 6, 2024

1191 - Dueling Questions with Joe Orlando, Part 2

Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-2tuq4-15913e7 We start with an exploration of our personal journeys through sports card collecting including their collecting methods and preferences, from set collecting to chasing color variations and autographs. They also walk through how their professional backgrounds have been instrumental in their contributions to the industry. Dr. Beckett possesses…

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March 4, 2024

1190 - Out-Takes on PSA/SGC from Hobby Hotline 030224

Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-hcuwx-159ad96 Dr. James Beckett, alongside Hobby Hotline co-hosts Danny Black and Victor Roman, explores the repercussions of PSA's acquisition of SGC in the sports card collecting and grading industry, analyzing it as a strategic business move reflective of the hobby's trend towards consolidation. The conversation extends to speculate on…

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March 2, 2024

1045 - Video: 2023-24 Panini Court Kings Hobby Box Reveal

Unboxing the freshly released 23/24 Panini Court Kings Hobby Box, valued between $225 and $250. one pack containing ten cards, encompassing a mix of base cards and exclusive finds such as a guaranteed autograph, a game-used memorabilia card, a rookie card, and a parallel. Dr. Beckett discusses the age guideline…

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March 1, 2024

1189 - Dueling Questions with Joe Orlando, Heritage

Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-rd8vw-15913ba Dr. James Beckett and Joe Orlando, respected industry veteran and former CEO of PSA, discuss the dynamic evolution, emerging trends, and future outlook of the sports card and collectibles industry. Touching on the exponential growth from the 1980s to the digital age, they delve into the significance of…

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Feb. 28, 2024

1188 - Dollar Box Travels, with Rich Klein

Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-2furr-157a9bd We delve into the enticing prospect of attending the Philadelphia sports card show to graze through the dollar boxes in search of nuggets. We offer advice and insights to our friend Kyle, who is contemplating his own attendance at the show. We touch on the potential challenges of…

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