Behind the Breaks

We’re packing our cases (smart ones, apparently) and heading to The National! In this episode, RJ reveals his insane quest to collect 143 base cards of one single player—Katie Zelem—for Parkside’s Project Purple challenge. Meanwhile, Matt’s hunting vintage Formula 1 and keeping an eye out for that one-of-one wall art for the studio.But it’s not all fun and foil packs. A major hobby scandal just rocked the community, and we break down the latest on the forged memorabilia and what it means for collectors. We also dig into PSA’s new comic book grading service, limited-run PSA Magazines, and the rise of James Bond-style smart cases for your slabs.🔍 Topics we cover:What is Project Purple & why RJ needs 143 Katie Zelem #181 base cardsOur game plan for The National (and how you can trade with us)The forged autograph scandal shaking the hobbyWhy sticker autos might be on the chopping blockPSA’s move into comic grading & collectible magazine coversA wild new smart case with real-time card trackingWhat to expect from the next evolution of the hobby👀 Got a Katie Zelem #181 base card? Let’s trade!📬 DM us or say hi at The National — we’ll be walking the floor all week!—🎧 Listen & Subscribe: https://www.behindthebreaks.com📺 Watch More: https://www.youtube.com/@Behind_theBreaks📲 Follow us: @Behind_TheBreaks on all socials

Ever seen someone absolutely crush it in the Marvel card world?

In this episode of Behind the Breaks, we sit down with Mary from Mar_Breaks one of the most exciting and high-energy non-sports breakers on Whatnot. 

Mary brings serious heat to every stream, and today she joins RJ and Matt to talk about how she got started breaking Marvel cards, how she’s built a loyal community, and why she’s so passionate about giving people not just hits, but an experience. From Whatnot tips to wild pull stories and the unique vibe of non-sports collecting, this episode is packed with fun, laughs, and insights.

We also talk about:

Why she chose Marvel over sports cards

How she keeps her streams hype and authentic

What newcomers should know before getting into non-sports breaks

The moment she realized she was “really doing this”

Whether you're deep into the hobby or just Marvel-curious, Mary’s story is proof that the breaking world has room for more than just sports — and more than just the usual voices. Tune in, get inspired, and maybe even start building your own lane in the hobby.

Follow Mar_Breaks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mar_breaks/

Whatnot: https://www.whatnot.com/user/mar_breaks

 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more interviews with breakers, sellers, and hobby disruptors. 

 Watch more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@Behind_theBreaks

 Visit the site: https://www.behindthebreaks.com/ Joins us on Whatnot: https://www.whatnot.com/user/twopacksaday/shows

BTB is heading to Chicago with media credentials! We’ll be covering the show, meeting collectors, and dropping content daily. Got a card we should find or someone we should talk to? Let us know.Matt’s “Wall of 50” BeginsMatt’s hunting for 50 cards that mean something. First stop: The National. If a 51st card comes in, one gets cut.eBay Sales Strategy ShiftRJ breaks down recent changes we’re testing—moving cards from BIN to auction, and early results are eye-opening.Marvel PC SpotlightIn honor of next week’s guest Mar_Breaks, RJ shows off a 🔥 Gambit Gold Wave /50. Marvel fans, this one’s for you.Creator ShoutoutCheck out @bergen2morris_cards on TikTok. Powerful story, great energy, and worth a follow.🏟️ Help Us Cover The NationalWe’re building our coverage with you in mind.— What do you want us to film?— Who should we interview?— Any cards you want us to hunt?Send us your ideas now!📅 Countdown is on. 2 weeks to go.🎥 Follow along @BehindTheBreaksPod📲 Tag @NSCCSHOW and use #NSCC2025📌 Follow & ListenIG / TikTok: @BehindTheBreaksPodYouTube: Behind the Breaks

The New York Times called it a "gold mine." We call it one of the most legendary hauls in the hobby. In this episode, Matt and RJ sit down with Tim from The Big League Find to uncover the wild stories, unbelievable pulls, and sheer joy behind one of the most epic sports card collections ever assembled.From rare vintage gems to the thrill of the chase, this episode dives deep into what makes collecting magical—and why Tim’s journey has captured the attention of collectors everywhere.🔍 In this episode:The jaw-dropping collection that stunned The New York TimesHow Tim unearthed millions of cards and what he's doing with themThe unexpected emotional side of collectingInsights into hobby culture, nostalgia, and community📲 Follow The Big League Find:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebigleaguefindTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebigleaguefindYouTube:  @thebigleaguefind  Website: https://www.thebigleaguefind.com/🎧 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment with your favorite moment from the episode!

In this episode of Behind the Breaks, we sit down with John Siebels, owner of Spring Hill Sports Cards and host of the Cycle and Four Downs podcast  @SpringHillSportsCards  John brings the fire—and the fundamentals—as he shares the passion that fuels his collecting, the mistakes that taught him how to sell smarter, and why the current card market has its value system upside down.You’ll learn:🔥 How to actually ship cards smart on eBay (yes, even cheap ones)📦 The $0.76 trick every seller should know💹 Why Jackson Merrill outselling Don Drysdale is a problem🧠 The psychology behind rookie hype vs. long-term value⚾ Why Tony Gwynn might be the greatest hitter ever🔄 The production flaws that frustrate true collectors💡 What Topps and Fanatics should be doing right nowIf you're in the hobby to learn, grow, and collect with purpose, this one’s for you.Additonal links for John at Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/springhillsportscards?igsh=MTkwamFjZHZjc2cyMQ==TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@springhillsportscards?_t=8iRPoWo4Dzm&_r=1eBay - https://www.ebay.com/usr/springhillsportscards

In this powerhouse episode of Behind the Breaks, we sit down with Andre Chiavelli, founder of the Vintage Sportscard Club and one of the most trusted names in vintage sports cards. With over 40 years in the hobby, Andre shares legendary stories from his start in 1971 flea markets to selling cards inside Yankee Stadium and creating the first-ever card inspection tool—the Inspectorscope.We dive deep into:The evolution of the trading card hobby from the 1970s to todayAndre’s work with industry icon Mr. Mint (Alan Rosen)Selling across platforms like Whatnot, eBay, and FacebookInsights on vintage card scams, counterfeits, and integrity in the hobbyTips for building collections, submitting want lists, and consigning vintage cardsThe wild story of Long Ball Licorice, his candy brand made with the Babe Ruth familyHow Andre earned a 2009 Yankees World Series ring through his work with the teamWhether you're a vintage collector, a modern breaker, or a hobbyist looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with value, nostalgia, and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else.🎯 Follow Andre:IG: @andre_chiavellieBay: https://www.ebay.com/str/vintagesportscardclubWebsite: https://vintagesportscardclub.com/Whatnot: vintagesportscardsVintage Facebook Groups Andre Recommends:1985 and older 24 HR auction, firesales vintage Baseball card pagehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1895304380717970/Vintage Baseball Cardshttps://www.facebook.com/groups/vintagebbcardsVINTAGE CARDS - FIRE SALES - WAX - ESTATES - AUCTION HOUSE ⭐️ 1860-1993https://www.facebook.com/groups/586805852202327Subscribe, share, and let’s grow the hobby—one story at a time. 🧢🔥---------------------------Want to join the crew from Behind the Breaks on our Whatnot shows? Come check us out at Two Packs a Day, ask us show questions, or just hang out. See you there!Whatnot: https://www.whatnot.com/user/twopacksaday

🚨 Midweek Heat Incoming!This quick-hit show is packed with BIG energy, wild behind-the-scenes moments, and a look ahead at what’s coming to Behind the Breaks later this week.⚾️ What’s Inside:🔐 Locked Out During the Show?!RJ finds himself locked out of the studio mid-recording. We're talking drills, goggles, parenting chaos, and a prized sports card collection at stake — and yes, it’s all on mic.🧢 Vintage Sports Card Club Sneak Peek:We preview our upcoming interview with Andre from Vintage Sports Card Club — a high-end collector with real ties to the New York Yankees and deep roots in vintage hobby gold. You don’t want to miss what he’s bringing.🔥 Fanatics Fest:We talk about the insane turnout and hobby buzz at Fanatics Fest 2025 — including those jaw-dropping 1/1 MLB patch autos. Was it worth the hype? We give you a raw take and look ahead to The National.📦 Patch Auto Hype + Buyback Buzz:Quick takes on the MLB debut patch autograph cards, how grading plays into value, and a heads-up: Topps Chrome MVP Buyback is returning for Year 3.And a shout out to  @AintChitPodcast  ... give their show a listen.

This week, we sit down with collector and entrepreneur Rick B (Tik Tok @rbennink & IG @rbennink111) whose story captures the heart of the hobby: rediscovery, connection, and the long game of collecting with meaning.From ripping packs as a kid to coaching his son’s Little League team while hunting grails, Rick shares how collecting helped him heal, grow a legacy, and shift from break-room highs to vintage treasures.

🔥 In This Episode:

📦 From Snack Shack Packs to Collector Comeback:How Rick’s childhood memories—and a box of forgotten cards—sparked a multigenerational return to the hobby.

👨‍👦 Collecting with Purpose:The lessons passed from father to son, and how Rick’s nine-year-old now helps shape their shared collection.

💼 Hobby Meets Hustle:How Rick’s entrepreneurial mindset evolved from TikTok breaks and impulse buys to intentional investing in vintage and high-end modern cards.

📺 Junk Wax & Goodwill Grails:Rick’s stories about finding Rhyno rookies, buying bulk collections, and flipping forgotten binders into long-term value.

🃏 Grail Chasing & Collection Curation:Why Rick now targets Jackie Robinsons, Mantles, Ruths—and how buying entire collections fuels the thrill of the hunt (and the ROI).

🤝 Trading Up, Building Networks:Local shows, collector connections, and how Rick uses relationships to grow his PC (and teach his son about value, patience, and deals).💬 Favorite

Quotes:

“You find those collections, keep what you love, and sell a few to make your money back. Now you’ve got a project and a story.”

“It’s okay to collect what you love—even if no one else gets it.”

In this week's Behind the Breaks Midweek Drop, Matt and RJ dive into the latest buzz across the hobby. From Topps 2024 Inception to 2025 Topps Series 2 and Bowman Mega Box drops, we’re breaking down what’s worth chasing—and why Inception might be the most underrated release of the year.

RJ gets fired up over the discontinuation of Stadium Club Chrome, shares why design-forward cards matter, and brings another personal collection banger: a rare 2020 Topps Update Freddie Freeman Cloth Patch card. It’s weird, textured, and totally unique.

We also talk about:

• Why Ellie De La Cruz rookie cards feel never-ending

• The return of 70s and 80s cards—and whether they're actually vintage

• Legends like Tony Gwynn, Ken Griffey Jr., Cal Ripken Jr., and Nolan Ryan still shaping the market

• What happens to Pete Rose rookie cards if Cooperstown calls

• Fake MLB trade rumors taking over TikTok and IG

📢 Collectors, breakers, and hobby heads—you’ll love this mix of hot takes, nostalgia, and hobby strategy.

In this episode of Behind the Breaks, we sit down with Patrick, better known to collectors and Whatnot regulars as @dads_cards. Patrick’s story is one every hobbyist can relate to—what began as a childhood obsession with ‘80s baseball and hockey cards turned into a traveling card-breaking operation, a family affair, and a growing community powered by heart, hustle, and hotel Wi-Fi.Whether you're just starting your collecting journey or you're knee-deep in chrome parallels, Patrick drops gems on what it really takes to build a following in the sports card world—while staying true to the roots of the hobby.🔥 In This Episode:🧳 How Patrick runs live card breaks from hotel rooms while traveling for work🛍️ Why he sources cards from local card shops and collectors—not just big-box distributors🏁 The F1 spark: How collecting became a family obsession during race weekends👨‍👩‍👧 Building a family brand with his daughter, wife, and nephew all involved in the action⚙️ The tech fail that nearly derailed his first break—and how he bounced back stronger🧠 Tips for new breakers: From picking the right username to earning trust in live chats🧱 How a joke about being the “dad of the group” became a personal brand built on integrity and consistency🎯 Perfect For:New and aspiring card breakers looking for real talk and practical tipsCollectors of F1, baseball, hockey, and niche sportsAnyone passionate about building community in the hobbyParents introducing their kids to the thrill of collecting📌 Don’t Miss:Follow @dads_cards on Instagram and WhatnotSubscribe to Behind the Breaks for weekly interviews with the biggest names (and best-kept secrets) in the hobbyShare your favorite childhood chases in the comments—we want to hear YOUR story