Baseball cards have been a beloved hobby and collectible for over 150 years. Ever since the rise of the modern baseball card in the late 19th century, fans young and old have enjoyed amassing collections, tracking stats, and reminiscing about their favorite players. In recent decades, as podcasts have exploded in popularity, many aficionados have started podcasts dedicated to discussing all things baseball cards. Whether focusing on new releases, values, histories of certain players or sets, or even just sharing the joy of the hobby, these podcasts have provided an engaging new medium for baseball card communities.
One of the longest running and most popular baseball card podcasts is “The Topps Archives Podcast.” Hosted by Brian Walton since 2015, each episode delves into the history and stories behind different baseball card sets from Topps, the dominant brand in the industry. Walton, a knowledgeable collector and researcher, discusses everything from design choices to production details to any notable cards or players featured. For hardcore collectors, it’s a fascinating listen that brings greater context and appreciation to the sets in their collections. With over 300 episodes uploaded so far, “The Topps Archives Podcast” has become an invaluable oral history resource for learning about the evolution of Topps cards over decades.
Another highly informative podcast for collectors is “The Cardboard Connection.” Run by veteran hobbyists Mark Armour and Dan Levitt, each episode covers a variety of topics related to baseball cards, from interviews with industry insiders to discussions of new releases, value trends, and care/preservation tips. Their extensive experience and connections allow them to provide in-depth analyses that hobbyists find very useful. A regular segment reviews recent auction highlights as well, giving listeners a sense of what rare vintage cards are moving in today’s hot collecting market. With over 10 years of weekly episodes archived, “The Cardboard Connection” podcast is an unparalleled knowledge base for both casual and serious collectors.
While the above podcasts focus more on the collecting and business aspects of the hobby, others aim to recapture the simple joy and nostalgia many felt as kids exploring baseball cards. A prime example is “The Wax Pack Gods,” hosted by brothers Joel and Tommy Thompson. Each episode finds the duo swapping stories from their childhood days opening packs and putting together teams, along with reminiscing about the players, designs and pop culture moments that made certain card sets so memorable. Even for collectors who came of age decades after the sets discussed, the warm recollections transport listeners back to a time of youthful baseball card bliss. With a fun, conversational style, “The Wax Pack Gods” celebrates the emotional connection many still feel to their earliest cardboard collections.
For a more casual exploration of the hobby’s history and oddities, the “Baseball Card Breakdown” podcast delivers short, snackable episodes on a wide range of topics. Hosted by Rob Fitts since 2016, recent episodes have highlighted unsolved mysteries on infamous cards, explored the origins of oddball promotions and insert sets, and profiled some of the most acclaimed vintage photographers whose work graced cardboard. While light on analysis, Fitts’ infectious enthusiasm makes “Baseball Card Breakdown” a joy for learning quirky new facts and stories within the hobby. With under 15 minutes per episode, it’s also easily digestible for busy collectors.
Of course, no discussion of baseball card podcasts would be complete without mentioning “The Steiner Sports Baseball Card Podcast.” As the official podcast of industry leader Steiner Sports Memorabilia, each episode features insightful interviews with some of the biggest names in the hobby—from Hall of Fame players to industry executives to prominent authenticators. Hearing career retrospectives and behind-the-scenes stories from legends like Ozzie Smith, Don Mattingly, and Dave Winfield is a treat for any collector. The show covers major Steiner auctions, new partnerships and product releases, as well as memorabilia collecting tips. With high production values and major guests, “The Steiner Sports Baseball Card Podcast” sets the gold standard that others aspire to.
Whether one’s interests lie in collecting modern rookies, vintage stars, oddball sets, or simply enjoying the nostalgia of the cardboard, there is surely a baseball card podcast that will delight. The format allows hobbyists to stay engaged even in off-seasons, and virtual water cooler talk helps build online communities. With new shows launching regularly and back catalogs to explore, podcasts have given this beloved pastime an exciting new platform to reach both hardcore collectors and casual fans alike. The golden age of baseball on wax seems as strong as ever.
