Wax Ecstatic

Host Matt Sammon discuses the new book "Singled Out" with author Andrew Maraniss. What started as a random card pull from a 1978 Topps pack will take you down the life path of Glenn Burke, Major League Baseball's first openly gay player. Maraniss shares how Burke was shoved aside to an early career end, while we take a look at 3 players who were part of Burke's life directly or indirectly. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains Watch the video on this subject at https://youtu.be/uZZ6WDAjuvE

Host Matt Sammon dives into a seldom known set about a seldom known league. In the winter of 1989-90, former Major League players brought their achy backs and creaky knees to the newly formed Senior Professional Baseball Association. The SPBA quickly developed from a zany idea, and just as quickly went away. While the 1990 SPBA Pacific baseball card set isn't much to write home about, how this league even got off the ground is. Watch our pack break at https://youtu.be/FZTAR8_Lx_E Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains

Host Matt Sammon dives into the bargain bin to find a gem in 1992 O-Pee-Chee Premier, a set that was overlooked then and now. At only 198 cards, this sharp set is loaded with Hall of Famers and young stars, and is worthy of your attention nowadays. Watch the video break at https://youtu.be/gkTCE7WwA4E Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains

Host Matt Sammon looks back at the 1992 Donruss Triple Play set, which had the right idea but quickly changed courses for numerous reasons. Watch the pack break at https://youtu.be/-s2CWDhEmV4 Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains

Host Matt Sammon looks back at what is arguably Donruss' greatest  set. The 1989 set featured big rookies, stars, and an incredible colorful design. Best of all, it's still ridiculously affordable because it was right in the middle of the "junk wax" era. Watch the pack break at https://youtu.be/nXgqAY6Xypk Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains

Host Matt Sammon looks at another set that the program took a first look at many years ago, and then just moved on from. Finishing a close second in our listener poll, '85 Topps is a legendary set loaded with rookies and stars, yet it often gets overshadowed by some of the more notable sets of the 1980's. Watch the video review at https://youtu.be/FOMJkMdHHOM Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains

Host Matt Sammon responds to listener suggestions for sets to revisit, and our first in the sharp but overlooked '87 Donruss set. With a 40-year spectrum of young stars and proven Hall of Famers, this is a set worthy of your time with deals still to be found. Watch the pack break at https://youtu.be/iRXlJIXKVww Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains

Host Matt Sammon looks back at the sharp and fancy 1993 Fleer Flair set, which despite its impressive design and limited press run added an unnecessary layer of product to the already bloated hobby.  Watch the pack break at https://youtu.be/59HL63ugUsI Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains Help us build WaxAndGumStains.com! Take a brief, 1-minute survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7RST8Z6

Host Matt Sammon looks at the cornucopia of foodstuff combo cards from the 1980s and 1990s. From the classic soda and fast food sets of the late 70s and early 80s, to some gut-busting meals during the bloated days of the hobby in the 90s. Don't overlook some of these unique sets in your collection. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains Watch the breaks at https://youtu.be/gYY1bn1qmOc Help us build WaxAndGumStains.com! Take our 5-question, 1-minute survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7RST8Z6

Host Matt Sammon reflects on the colorful and progressive '72 Topps set which looks better with age, and gets a new look courtesy of this year's Topps Heritage design. We also check in with BaseballHappening.net's Nick Diunte to discuss the booming baseball card business. Watch the video recap at youtu.be/BqMEG6-pXfA Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains Help build WaxAndGumStains.com! Take our survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7RST8Z6

Host Matt Sammon looks back at the history of the "traded" sets and set extensions. What started out as a public service to notify fans that a player changed teams, became a marketing hook in the 70s before becoming a marketing advantage in the 80s.  We also have some updates on our new YouTube channel (at https://bit.ly/3b2r4uf) and some changes coming to the podcast. Watch the video review of the traded sets at https://youtu.be/YhdT2trfWos Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains

Host Matt Sammon looks at the new Repacked Wax, where cards from the past 65 years are assembled into newly packaged wax units. It's a great idea that's gone big, and Matt talks to Repacked Wax creator Ryan Cornell to learn more about the product. Watch our first video break at https://youtu.be/hc799bmeYBs Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains

Host Matt Sammon looks at the sharp '94 Donruss set, which continued a streak of impressive sets released by Donruss in the early 90s. But there were signs that Donruss was taking its eye off the ball, setting up a slippery slope to bankruptcy just years later. Still this is a great set for those looking to scratch a 90s nostalgia itch, as it is affordable and loaded with stars. Watch the video break at https://youtu.be/-6m0TfoACs0 Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains

Host Matt Sammon takes a look at a unique and short-lived product, 1990 Topps Heads Up. How did this predecessor to items like Fathead not have much of a shelf life? Plus we answer your questions in our listener mail bag! Watch the pack break at https://youtu.be/8g0PsDFDflU Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains

Host Matt Sammon looks back at the 1993 Donruss set which managed to raise the bar from the noteworthy 1992 set. Even though the improvements didn't save Donruss from getting swallowed up by the changing hobby, the set provides collectors today with a sharp and affordable piece of 90s nostalgia. Watch the video break at https://youtu.be/4RtVE_1MYbY Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains

Host Matt Sammon rings in 2021 with a look back at the 1991 Topps Archives, a set that paid homage to the 1953 Topps set while staying true to the original product. It wasn't the first throwback set for Topps, but it laid a foundation for future Archives, Heritage, and the Living sets. Watch the pack break at https://youtu.be/8wLVNE2HUNk Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains

Host Matt Sammon indulges in your 90's nostalgia as we take a look at '92 Donruss, the first set of three from the early 90's that showed a marked improvement of the Donruss base set. But the turning of the corner came too late for Donruss, as the hobby was speeding past with insert cards and premium sets. Watch the pack break at https://youtu.be/7wXWB0raG5c Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains

Host Matt Sammon looks back at the 1963 Fleer baseball set, or as he calls it, the "Seattle Pilots" of baseball sets as there won't ever be a set quite like this one. Was the star-studded set a major attempt at curtailing Topps' dominance? Or was it a poorly rolled out, pathetic attempt at nothing in particular? We discuss, with a look at 5 players from that set! Watch the video at https://t.co/4ZUe0fjq3a Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains

With Thanksgiving around the corner, host Matt Sammon looks at some hobby "turkeys" including some funny non-sports cards from deep in the storage unit. But like many Thanksgiving side dishes, while many people may not like one side dish in particular, there's nothing wrong with a little guilty pleasure in a side dish.

Host Matt Sammon tracks down some 90s nostalgia that isn't your usual "junk wax", as we open up 1991 Leaf Studio and 1992 Leaf Series 1 packs. We also have what is now becoming a regular warning of "buyer beware" when it comes to the sudden interest in baseball cards by the general public. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains Watch the pack break at: https://youtu.be/L_jZDlwBmBw