The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

1. 1
   Number 1: 1586 - The LCS Spectrum

   Dr. Beckett discusses “The LCS Spectrum,” arguing that local card shops can succeed in many different ways, from old-school vintage-heavy stores to modern, high-end shops focused on new product, breaking, events, and social media. He proposes an idea for a directory or app that profiles shops with verified answers so travelers and customers know what a store offers, and so manufacturers like Fanatics, Panini, Upper Deck, and others could use consistent criteria for direct accounts and allocations. Using his former Dallas shop First Base as an example, he outlines categories for evaluating an LCS, including business sustainability, market/location, product mix, physical presentation, repeat business, creating collectors, people development, hobby citizenship, reach beyond local geography, and a distinctive “claim to fame.” 00:23 The LCS Spectrum Idea 02:10 Old School vs Modern Shops 03:30 Why Categorize Shops 04:10 Dealers and Hobby Economics 05:52 1 Real Business Basics 06:48 2 Location and Market 07:46 3 Product Mix Inventory 09:08 4 Store Presentation 09:54 5 Repeat Business 10:11 6 Creating Collectors 11:40 7 People Development 12:30 8 Hobby Citizenship 12:55 9 Reach and Celebrity 13:50 10 Claim to Fame 14:33 Modern Requirements and Allocation

   September 07, 2026·18min
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2. 2
   Number 2: 1589 - Are We Creating Collectors ... or Players?

   Dr. Beckett explores what it really means to be a “collector” versus a “player” in the sports card ecosystem, arguing that many new participants are drawn more to the action: buying, selling, trading, breaking, ripping, repacking, and tracking comps, rather than to long-term accumulation. He discusses industry growth goals like “10Xing,” referencing Fanatics’ push to expand the addressable market across a broader sports commerce ecosystem, and notes Panini’s past inroads while Fanatics lowers barriers by leveraging existing fan customers. Dr. Beckett frames participation as a funnel from spectator to player to collector, emphasizing that not everyone has the “collecting gene,” but collectors remain essential as end users who provide a final resting place for cards. He advocates for a healthy balance of players and collectors, highlights how liquidity and network effects have changed shows and pricing, and notes content creation can support both better “play” as well as collector formation. 00:50 Collectors Versus Players? 00:58 Fanatics And Market Growth 02:52 Action Driven Hobby 04:55 Video Games And Golf 05:53 Cards As Products 06:46 Need End User Collectors 07:13 Being A Hybrid 08:59 Liquidity And Network Effects 11:31 From Player To Collector 12:17 Junk Wax Lessons 14:02 Voices Across Spectrum 15:22 Industry Versus Hobby

   September 14, 2026·17min
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3. 3
   Number 3: 1588 - Small Reveals

   Dr. Beckett marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with brief reflections on perspective and gratitude to those who served, then shifts to a lighter topic: the fun of “reveals” in collecting. He shares opening two Upper Deck products sent to him: Premier (one pack of six cards, including autographs and memorabilia) and Clear Cut (one encased autograph), and then compares the extended suspense of multi-card packs to the one-and-done experience. Dr. Beckett discusses how reveals happen through mail days, grading submissions, dollar box finds, and group breaks, emphasizing he prefers many small dollar-box reveals over a single expensive hit. He critiques random-team breaks that can leave buyers with no cards, arguing he wants to always get something, and praises Upper Deck’s strong role in hockey and the hobby. 00:18 9/11 Reflection 03:29 Why Hockey and Upper Deck 06:04 Premier vs Clear Cut Reveal 07:50 Mail Day Risks and Grading 09:01 Dollar Box Joy 09:44 Breaks and Vicarious Hits 10:21 Random Team Math and Fine Print 13:01 Getting Nothing Feels Like Gambling

   September 11, 2026·16min
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4. 4
   Number 4: 1584 - Dueling Questions with BA Murry

   Dr. Beckett welcomes longtime friend and former colleague B.A. Murry for a wide-ranging conversation covering their decades in the sports card hobby. They discuss Murry’s distinction as one of the “three amigos” who have set up at every National, Beckett’s attendance at every National, and memories of the earliest shows in Los Angeles and the original promoters. Murry recounts early mail-order buying from Sam Rosen/Card Collectors Company, inexpensive complete sets like 1948 Bowman and 1951 Topps Redbacks, ordering 1957 Topps as issued, and an early regret of giving away 1954 cards. They reflect on the shift from set-building and want lists to modern high-dollar “lottery” ripping, debate what counts as vintage, and share 1970s–80s hobby stories including St. Louis gatherings, auctions, and using the first annual guide. 00:41 National Show Regulars 01:12 Origins of the National 02:30 Mail Order Hobby Beginnings 05:41 Early Selling and Regrets 07:25 OG Perspective on Today 08:43 Want Lists and Set Building 09:32 Adult Hobby Takes Off 12:08 Collector Mindset and Roots 14:37 Buying Trips and Vintage Lines 17:52 Late Night Auctions Stories

   September 02, 2026·20min
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5. 5
   Number 5: 1582 - Out-Takes from Hobby Hotline 082226

   Dr. Beckett and Hobby Hotline co-hosts Rich Klein and John Newman enjoy an unscripted chat-driven discussion. They examine market “pumping,” focusing on rising Star Wars card prices ahead of the franchise’s 50th anniversary, and how first appearances and recognizable stars can drive a pecking order in value. The panel compares this to pricing dynamics like NFL quarterback contracts and debates voice-actor autographs. They discuss T206 set collecting, Wagner rarity, past sale prices, and why multiple Wagners hitting auction blocks can signal equilibrium or a potential market peak, referencing the 1980 surge in ’52 Topps Mantles. They also consider whether a Yordan Álvarez Triple Crown would move the hobby, and how modern baseball trends depress batting-average value. 00:46 Hobby Hype and Pumping 01:43 Star Wars Anniversary Buzz 03:53 First Appearances and Autographs 04:41 T206 Wagner Market Talk 05:54 Why More Wagners Appear 10:35 Yordan Alvarez Triple Crown 12:49 Modern Hitting and Moneyball 16:04 Pitching Changes and Metrics

   August 28, 2026·17min
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