Behind the Breaks

Matt Hasson and RJ Watters
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Welcome to "Behind the Breaks,” a podcast that delves into the dynamic world of trading card breaking, where passion meets profit and community thrives. Whether you're a collector, a seller, or simply curious about the magic behind the cardboard, our podcast is your gateway to the heart and soul of the hobby.

  1. 4D AGO

    The 1952 Mickey Mantle Chase Is Breaking the Baseball Card World | E47

    Baseball season is heating up and so is the hobby. In this episode, we dive into the biggest story shaking the card world: a redemption for a legendary Mickey Mantle card hidden inside Topps Series 1. We break down what it means, who might pull it, and why this one card could instantly change someone’s life.We also talk spring training injuries, the hype and risk of prospect investing, grading drama, and the growing backlash against overpriced breaks. From dream pull scenarios to the reality of today’s card market, this is an unfiltered conversation about where the hobby is heading and what collectors should be watching right now.If you love baseball cards, market talk, and real hobby stories, this episode is packed with insight, opinions, and a few wild predictions.

    32 min

  2. FEB 9

    The Godfather of Autos: Dennis Sidler on Prospects, Chris Sale & The Secret to the Perfect Pen

    Join us as we sit down with Dennis Sidler, the “Godfather of Ink” and founder of Sid’s Graphs, a legend in the autograph and sports collecting world. From selling his first collection to fund college to signing Miguel Cabrera as his first prospect, Dennis shares his journey, business insights, and stories that shaped the autograph hobby. In this episode, you’ll hear about:How Dennis revolutionized autograph collecting by betting on prospects, not just Hall of FamersHis legendary relationship with Chris Sale and behind-the-scenes signing storiesThe pens he swears by for autographs and tips for collectorsWildest items he’s had autographed, including a Cassius Clay glove and celebrity memorabiliaHow Sid’s Graphs influenced PSA, Beckett, and the modern COA systemWhether you’re a trading card collector, autograph enthusiast, or just love a good sports story, this episode is packed with insider insights you won’t want to miss.

    32 min

  3. FEB 5

    Leaked Documents EXPOSE the Card Hobby? Breakers, Fanatics & Grading Drama

    The sports card hobby has been WILD lately — leaked documents, breaker drama, grading company shakeups, and serious questions about whether the playing field is still fair.In this episode, we break down:• The leaked industry documents everyone is talking about• Are big breakers getting better product and allocations?• The Pac-Man controversy and the pressure of big-time breaking• Beckett, PSA, and what longer grading times really mean• Why the hobby feels more like a business — and less like a hobby• The growing negativity and what collectors are starting to noticeThis isn’t just rumors — this is what collectors, breakers, and everyday buyers are seeing in real time.If you care about the future of the hobby, this is a conversation you need to hear.Subscribe for weekly hobby talk, industry guests, and real conversations about sports cards.

    11 min

  4. FEB 2

    MLB Network’s “Best Lineup” Is WRONG?! Card Values, Hot Takes & a Wild PSA 1 Strategy

    This time - we react to  @MLBNetwork  's projected “best lineup in baseball” — and let’s just say… we have some strong opinions. From Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, and Corbin Carroll in the outfield to debates at shortstop, first base, and starting pitcher, we break down who belongs, who doesn’t, and which stars might be getting overlooked.But this isn’t just baseball talk — we connect every take back to the sports card market.We dig into:• How  @MLB  ’s top players impact baseball card values• Which stars we’re actually investing in (Judge, Ohtani, Carroll, Witt, and more)• Why Jose Ramirez and Ketel Marte might still be undervalued in the hobby• A big debate: Paul Skenes vs Tarik Skubal as the best pitcher right nowThen we shift into hobby heat:PSA vs TAG Grading – Is TAG the future of card grading? We compare slab design, display appeal, and why some collectors are moving away from traditional PSA cases.The PSA 1 Collector Strategy – Inspired by a wild PSA magazine article, we talk about collecting low-grade PSA 1 cards of iconic players like Michael Jordan and why ultra-low pop junk slabs might actually be a hidden niche in the hobby.And finally… one of the most ridiculous (and amazing) PC projects we’ve ever heard:Building the full rainbow of Greg Jones  @Topps  Finest cards — including a Superfractor chase. Because sometimes the hobby is about fun, not just flipping.If you love:Baseball debatesMLB player rankingsSports card investingCard grading talkUnderrated player valueCollector storiesYou’re in the right place.Subscribe for weekly episodes covering MLB, sports cards, grading trends, market insights, and collector culture.Drop a comment:Who did MLB Network get WRONG on their “best lineup”? And would you ever collect PSA 1s on purpose?

    32 min

  5. JAN 26

    We're Testing AI Card Grading & PSA Should Be Nervous | E44

    We're back together and diving straight into the biggest conversations in the hobby right now.RJ has been deep in the lab — inspecting cards with a digital microscope, precision tools, and prepping submissions like never before. But this time, it’s not just PSA… we’re talking AI grading, TAG submissions, and whether technology might actually expose how inconsistent traditional grading has been.We break down:RJ’s new card grading setup (microscopes, centering tools, and hard truths)Sending cards to PSA vs TAG — and why the decision is getting harderPSA’s massive turnaround time problem and their promises for the futureThe growing frustration in the hobby around grading delays and trustWhether AI grading could change the hobby foreverThen we shift to baseball — and things get heated.Matt opens up about his Cubs signing Alex Bregman and why the 2017 Astros scandal still doesn’t sit right. Can you root for a player tied to cheating once he’s on your team? We debate integrity, second chances, and whether fans ever really forget.If you’re into sports cards, grading strategy, hobby trends, or just real collector talk — this one’s for you.Get the Ruler here: https://amzn.to/4sUJsvbNew episodes weekly. Subscribe and join the conversation.

    38 min

  6. JAN 21

    Buying Cards With Intent in 2026 | Budgeting, Grading, Breaks & the State of the Hobby

    This week on Behind the Breaks, RJ goes solo—broadcasting from the car during track practice—and dives deep into a personal reset for the hobby in 2026.With product releases piling up, grading timelines stretching out, and breaking formats evolving fast, this episode focuses on buying with intent, budgeting the hobby, and finding ways to let smart flips help fund a personal collection.RJ breaks down:Re-centering the hobby: collecting vs. flipping vs. breaking evenSetting a fixed budget and treating cards as a zero-sum hobbyLessons learned from grading with PSA, exploring TAG, and long turnaround timesWhy prospecting (Bowman, farm systems) isn’t for everyoneThe rise of single-player and wheel-style breaks—and what it says about breaker economicsWhy some products feel overprinted and others still matterHow card design, photography, and innovation could improveStrategic collecting plays for 2026 (soccer, World Cup timing, Parkside NWSL cards)Finding value in second-tier cards instead of chasing flagship hypeThis episode is part hobby reflection, part business reality check—and part real-time card sorting therapy.If you’ve ever asked yourself:Why am I buying this card?Is this for my PC—or to flip?Is the hobby getting too expensive?This one’s for you.As always, appreciate you riding along—literally—and we’ll be back next week with Matt.

    32 min

  7. 12/23/2025

    PSA Scandals, Beckett Shock & Grading Chaos — The Hobby Is at a Breaking Point | [E41]

    The final episode of the year — and we couldn’t script this if we tried.In this episode, we break down everything shaking the hobby right now:• The ongoing PSA controversy and why trust is becoming the real issue• The shocking sale of Beckett and what it means for grading competition• SGC’s collapse post-acquisition and why “independence” may be an illusion• Fanatics, Hobby Box UK, and accusations of juiced boxes• Why big breakers keep hitting while small collectors don’t• PSA grading frustrations, vault delays, and wildly inconsistent buy-back offers• The real cost of grading mistakes for collectors• MLB free agency chaos, deferrals, and what it means for card values• Why scandals keep surfacing — and what the hobby needs in 2026We also reflect on an incredible first year of the show, the guests we met, what worked, what didn’t — and why we’re stepping back briefly before coming back stronger.Is grading broken?Is consolidation killing competition?And does the hobby still serve collectors — or just corporations?This episode says the quiet part out loud.Subscribe, drop your thoughts in the comments, and tell us what stories YOU want covered next year.

    29 min

  8. 12/15/2025

    What the Hell Is Going On in the Hobby? PSA Buybacks, Panini Lawsuits & Topps Cuts | E40

    We're back from vacation and stepping straight into hobby chaos. PSA buybacks DRAMA. Lawsuits flying. Products getting worse while prices stay the same. And collectors left asking the same question:What the hell is going on in the hobby?This episode pulls no punches as we break down the biggest stories shaking the sports card world right now — and why none of this should be ignored.In This Episode:PSA Buyback ControversyDid PSA really buy back 9s that later became 10s? We explain what happened, why it matters, and what it means for trust in grading.Topps Museum Collection ChangesSame price. Fewer hits. What Fanatics changed, why collectors are frustrated, and whether this is the new normal for premium products.Panini vs. Fanatics LawsuitPanini claims collapse in court while telling buyers everything is fine. We unpack the contradictions and what this legal fight means for the future of licensed cards.MLB Winter Meetings FalloutDodgers dominance, Mets frustration, Cubs trade rumors, and how offseason chaos impacts card values and collector sentiment.NFL Overreaction CycleBears heartbreak, Justin Fields uncertainty, Kyler Murray questions — and how fast the hobby turns on players.A Hobby Reality CheckWhy breakers screaming at buyers, forced hype, and manufactured urgency are bad for the long-term health of the hobby.This isn’t rumor chasing. It’s context, perspective, and straight talk for collectors trying to make sense of a hobby that feels increasingly unstable.Drop your biggest “WHAT THE HELL?” moment in the comments — we’ll read the best ones next episode.Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon Music.Subscribe for unfiltered hobby conversations you won’t hear anywhere else.

    32 min
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About

Welcome to "Behind the Breaks,” a podcast that delves into the dynamic world of trading card breaking, where passion meets profit and community thrives. Whether you're a collector, a seller, or simply curious about the magic behind the cardboard, our podcast is your gateway to the heart and soul of the hobby.

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Hasson and RJ Watters
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Matt Hasson and RJ Watters
  • Show Website
    Behind the Breaks