If you're going to collect sports cards, you're going to need to make yourself some rules. But just as importantly, you need to be ready to break those rules when opportunities arise.

The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

In sports cards, is there such a thing as too many collecting rules? Can we build so many walls that fun gives way to limitations? In this episode, Pat (@Insta_Account_Haver) returns to discuss collecting lanes, their usefulness, and moments when they might not be.

The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

In this episode, we try something new. It's an audio essay, a meditative piece that looks at a side of sports cards many people ignore – but shouldn't.

The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

The Chase, a limited series recently concluded on The Shallow End podcast feed, was intended to be a celebration of what it takes to get the cards we want most. In this episode, we reflect on the series and what each of the 15 collectors we spoke with can teach us about our own collecting.

The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz @Iowa_Dave_Sportscards

When Tony (@tj.isonline) returned to sports cards, he decided Reggie Jackson would be one of his guys. And when he learned the story of one of the hobby's great urban legends, about a card only a small handful of collectors even knew existed, he began his case. If this is the last podcast episode I ever do (it won't be), I'll retire satisfied.

The Chase is a limited series on The Shallow End podcast feed. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dave_Sportscards⁠

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/infraction/tumblin

For Dan (yankeedoodledandycards), it's not just about finding any sports card to finish his player run. It's about finding the best version – to create the best possible player run of a Hall of Famer in a prized parallel. Dan shows us the value of being meticulous while maintaining high standards.

The Chase is a limited series on The Shallow End podcast feed. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dave_Sportscards⁠

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/infraction/tumblin

For years, Jeremy Lee (@Jlee_sportscardslive) chased a card he wanted from a set he appreciated. Just when he thought the card wouldn't be his, along came another one he didn't know existed. Often in the sports-card hobby, it pays to be patient and play the long game. Instant gratification is rarely the best route.

The Chase is a limited series on The Shallow End podcast feed. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dave_Sportscards⁠

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/infraction/tumblin

Step 1: Identify the most collected team in all of baseball. Step 2: Identify one of the most iconic parallels from the late 1990s. Step 3: Decide you want to collect the entire team run. Congrats! You've just entered the world of Dalton, aka @refractorguy812.

The Chase is a limited series on The Shallow End podcast feed. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dave_Sportscards⁠

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/infraction/tumblin

If you're going to chase something in sports cards, don't make it too easy. That's one of the philosophies of Kevin aka @kevin.m.cormier, whose chase of a fully signed set from the mid-1980s came with failed attempts and month-long patches with little to no movement. But he got there, eventually, and his effort landed him a unique hobby accomplishment.

The Chase is a limited series on The Shallow End podcast feed. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dave_Sportscards⁠

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/infraction/tumblin

The degree of difficulty undertaken by Ben (@big_devers_energy) should not be understated. In order for Ben to find the sports card he chased, the card first had to survive a gauntlet set up a decade ago by Topps. This is a chase story that has to be listened to be understood.

The Chase is a limited series on The Shallow End podcast feed. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dave_Sportscards⁠

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/infraction/tumblin