Wax Ecstatic
190 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★ - 95 ratingsHave you rediscovered your childhood baseball cards, or do you have that "90s nostalgia" itch you've been looking to scratch? Come take a trip down memory lane as we take a second look at some famous (and not so famous) baseball cards from the 1990s all the way back through the 1950s. Wax Ecstatic is hosted by long-time collector Matt Sammon, who always has a fun look back at some of that classic cardboard in your collection!
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Episodes
Episode 90, Topps and Toby Keep it Consistent in '77
August 08, 2017 13:45 - 1 hour - 68.6 MBHost Matt Sammon looks back at the creative endeavor that was '77 Topps, a set that doesn't get as much love as it should, much like random pull Toby Harrah. But we also dive in to the traditional and advanced stats discussion, as some want to place Harrah on a much higher pedestal. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 89, O Say Can You See '76 Topps?
August 01, 2017 13:45 - 54 minutes - 51.3 MBHost Matt Sammon looks back at the incredibly popular and sharp '76 Topps set, with a look at the incredibly patriotic Rick Monday as our random pull! Follow us on Twitter at @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 88, IN LIVING COLOR! The Unforgettable '75 Topps Set
July 25, 2017 13:45 - 1 hour - 60.1 MBHost Matt Sammon looks back at the legendary (though extremely tacky) '75 Topps set, the time he passed on a '75 Topps rack pack, and the underappreciated career of Vida Blue. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 87, It's "Little D" on the "Big T" as Topps Rolls Out the Single Series '74s!
July 18, 2017 13:59 - 51 minutes - 47.8 MBHost Matt Sammon looks back at the first full-series release from Topps, the clean '74 set. Despite the great cards and rookie class, the set is hampered by a negated move of the San Diego Padres to Washington D.C. Plus, we look back at the very underrated career of Hall of Famer Don Sutton! Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 86, '73 Topps Gets as Ambitious as an Oscar Gamble Afro
July 11, 2017 13:45 - 1 hour - 58.2 MBHost Matt Sammon looks at the many pros and cons of the ambitious '73 Topps set, with some laughable action shots but qualities that have stood the test of time as the last of the "vintage" card sets. Plus, a look back at Oscar Gamble-- the player better known for his hair than his stats. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 85-- You Can't Go Wrong With Wright! A Look at the Zany '72 Topps Set
July 04, 2017 13:45 - 54 minutes - 50.7 MBHost Matt Sammon looks at the flawed but much-loved 1972 Topps set, one of the most iconic if dated sets in baseball card history. Plus, a look at random pull Clyde Wright. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 84, The Powerful Deron Johnson and the Powerful Look of '71 Topps
June 27, 2017 13:46 - 1 hour - 62.3 MBHost Matt Sammon takes a deep look at the game-changing '71 Topps set, the game-changing power of Deron Johsnon, and some baseball games he recently attended. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 83-- Bob Aspromonte is a Hero, While '70 Topps is a Zero
June 20, 2017 13:57 - 48 minutes - 45 MBHost Matt Sammon looks back at the 1970 Topps set, which some collectors love, but it still leaves a lot to be desired. Also, a look at the "Blind Faith" story of random pull Bob Aspromonte. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 82, Get Your First Real Six-String and a Plain Set of '69 Topps at the Five & Dime
June 13, 2017 13:45 - 57 minutes - 52.8 MBHost Matt Sammon looks at the simple yet plain '69 Topps set, looks back at the '69 MLB expansion, and the incredible summer of '69 for Cleon Jones.
Episode 81, '68 Topps? It's in the Bag!
June 06, 2017 13:45 - 55 minutes - 51.6 MBHost Matt Sammon looks back at the "burlap set" from 1968, the career of steady shortstop Ed Brinkman, and how these little pieces of cardboard tie us to history. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 80, Is '67 Topps a Masterpiece or Boring?
May 30, 2017 13:45 - 59 minutes - 54.4 MBHost Matt Sammon is an outlier in the common thought that '67 Topps is a masterpiece. He feels it's a poor attempt at replicating '57 Topps. Meanwhile, we also look back at the booming Boog Powell!
Episode 79, Art Shamsky Bulldogs His Way Through the Business-Like '66 Topps
May 23, 2017 13:50 - 55 minutes - 50.8 MBHost Matt Sammon discusses how Topps got back to business with the clean '66 set, and how pinch-hitter extraordinaire Art Shamsky ended up in a class with Mantle, Musial, Bo, and others. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 78, A Classic Hitter on a Classic Card, Tony Oliva stars on '65 Topps!
May 16, 2017 13:50 - 52 minutes - 48.5 MBHost Matt Sammon looks back at one of his favorite baseball sets ever made, 1965 Topps, with a look at one of the most underrated hitters in Major League history. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 77, Giddyup! It's Rusty Staub's Colt .45s and '64 Topps!
May 09, 2017 13:45 - 52 minutes - 48.2 MBHost Matt Sammon looks back at the somewhat unpopular '64 Topps set, featuring young Rusty Staub of the Houston Colt .45s in the sweltering Colt Stadium. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 76, Like a Frank Howard Moon Shot, Topps Muscles Out a Winner in '63
May 02, 2017 13:50 - 56 minutes - 51.8 MBHost Matt Sammon looks back at the epic '63 Topps set, the battle Topps had with Fleer, and the monster career of the monster Frank Howard! Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 75, Topps Breaks Out the Lumber in 1962
April 25, 2017 13:45 - 54 minutes - 50.2 MBHost Matt Sammon looks back at the legendary '62 Topps set, which handled the challenges of the 1961 set much better the second time around. Plus, we look back at four decades of baseball and the career of Tim McCarver! Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 74, Topps Keeps It Common in 1961
April 18, 2017 13:54 - 57 minutes - 53 MBHost Matt Sammon looks back at the plain 1961 Topps set, and why Topps had to hold back on card design that season. Plus the not-so-common (Canadian) Hall of Fame career of Ted Bowsfield. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 73, Topps Starts the 60s With an Ode to the 50s
April 11, 2017 13:52 - 46 minutes - 43.1 MBHost Matt Sammon looks at how Topps went from artsy to business in 1960, but with a mixture of several previous sets in one card. Plus the all-star career of Johnny Temple, that went downhill quick. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 72, Better Ed Than Red! A Mad Men-Esque Set for Topps in 1959
April 04, 2017 16:49 - 52 minutes - 47.9 MBHost Matt Sammon looks back at another Madison Avenue inspired set from Topps in 1959, and the not-so-ordinary career of utility infielder Eddie Miksis and the Cincinnati Redlegs. Follow us Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 71, Who Needs Color TV When You Have '58 Topps?
March 28, 2017 13:55 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBHost Matt Sammon looks back at the colorful 1958 Topps set, and the interesting career path of Jerry Staley. Plus, the unique way Matt got this card 25 years ago. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 70, "Pee Wee" Reese and Topps Hit it Big in 1957
March 21, 2017 13:59 - 54 minutes - 50.2 MBHost Matt Sammon looks back at the groundbreaking '57 Topps set, and how this Pee Wee Reese card is rather appropriate for looking back on "Dem Bums", the Brooklyn Dodgers
Episode 69, To the Binder We Go! The "New" Baltimore Orioles and a New Look for Topps
March 14, 2017 13:50 - 54 minutes - 50.3 MBHost Matt Sammon looks back at the 1954 Topps set, with random pull Joe Coleman. A major change in the Topps design, stories of Bill Veeck and Charlie Finley, and some news on the podcast! Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 68, Mucho Miscellania! All-Stars, No-Logos, and a Baseball Theme Park
March 10, 2017 14:45 - 49 minutes - 45.8 MBHost Matt Sammon makes one more dig through the "miscellaneous" box to look at glossy All-Stars, no-logo cards, and Boardwalk & Baseball. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 67, Talking Team Sets, and One Particularly Bad Team
March 07, 2017 15:00 - 51 minutes - 47 MBHost Matt Sammon looks at the fan-favorite team-issued sets, with a deep dive in to his own 2002 Tampa Bay Devil Rays team set that was filled with various miscreants from the Rays' bad old days. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 66, Minor League Baseball Becomes Major League Business
March 03, 2017 15:00 - 50 minutes - 46.7 MBHost Matt Sammon looks back at minor league baseball cards, which started innocently in the 1940s, grew in the 1970s, then exploded in the 1990s with major league cards. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 65, The End of the Monster Box! '93 Topps Puts Out a Monster Set with a Future Monster in the Making
February 28, 2017 14:50 - 52 minutes - 47.9 MBHost Matt Sammon closes out the "big ole monster box" with a look at '93 Topps, and how the Dodgers whiffed on Pedro Martinez. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 64, Upper Deck Keeps Its Quality Streak Going in '93, as Does Cal Ripken Jr.
February 24, 2017 15:00 - 47 minutes - 43.3 MBHost Matt Sammon looks back at the great answer Upper Deck had for the competition in 1993, the great career of Cal Ripken Jr., and our Wax Ecstatic survey results! Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 63, Checking Out the Forgettable '93 Score Set With "the Professor", Greg Maddux!
February 21, 2017 14:50 - 53 minutes - 48.8 MBHost Matt Sammon looks back at the rather forgettable '93 Score set, the unforgettable Greg Maddux, and the dying breed that is the 300-game winner? Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 62, '93 Ultra Makes Mets Fans Forget About Jim Fregosi... Maybe
February 17, 2017 14:50 - 54 minutes - 50.1 MBHost Matt Sammon looks back at another sharp set in '93: Fleer Ultra. Plus, were the Mets really in the wrong in '71 when trading Nolan Ryan? Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 61, My Brother From Another Mother, Tim Salmon and the '93 Donruss Set!
February 14, 2017 14:50 - 47 minutes - 43.3 MBHost Matt Sammon (no relation) looks back at Tim Salmon's career, and the very good but not great '93 Donruss set. Plus plenty of listener tweets on the hobby! Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 60, The Stunning '93 Leaf Studio Set, and the Stunning End to Kirby Puckett's Career and Life
February 10, 2017 14:50 - 41 minutes - 38.4 MBHost Matt Sammon looks back at one of the best sets not only from 1993, but in the history of baseball cards, Leaf Studio. Plus, a look back at the tragic life and career of Kirby Puckett. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 59, '93 Bowman Doesn't Go Away Like the Dinosaurs
February 07, 2017 14:50 - 44 minutes - 40.6 MBHost Matt Sammon looks back at the outstanding set Bowman put together in 1993, plus the sordid career of Carl Everett, and some fun from a pack of 2017 Topps. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 58, Topps Grows Up in 1992, Showing Off Scott Erickson's Black Socks
February 03, 2017 14:50 - 45 minutes - 41.7 MBHost Matt Sammon looks at the major upgrades to the Topps set in 1992, while also looking back at that one magical year for Scott Erickson. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 57, Like a Larry Walker Home Run, '92 Stadium Club Creates Another Smash Hit
January 31, 2017 14:50 - 44 minutes - 40.9 MBHost Matt Sammon looks back at the '92 Topps Stadium Club set, and the Hall of Fame-worthy career of Larry Walker. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 56, The "Big Hurt", and Could '92 Upper Deck Keep Up?
January 27, 2017 14:50 - 42 minutes - 39.2 MBHost Matt Sammon looks back at the nice but "standard" '92 Upper Deck set, Frank Thomas' career, and the inanity of one-day contracts. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 55, '92 Score is Too Safe at Home
January 24, 2017 14:43 - 35 minutes - 32.5 MBHost Matt Sammon reviews the '92 Score set which wasn't bad, but was too safe during a progressing hobby. Plus, we look back at the kid who was too skinny to get drafted... Jim Thome! Follow us on Twitter at @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 54, '92 Fleer Ultra Proves to Be One of the Best, and a Guy Not Named "Joey"
January 20, 2017 14:45 - 43 minutes - 39.9 MBHost Matt Sammon looks back at the stellar '92 Fleer Ultra set, and the tumultuous but later redeemed life of Albert Belle. Follow us on Twitter, at @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 53, An Appetizing Set for Fleer in '92, and Mo Vaughn!
January 17, 2017 14:45 - 36 minutes - 33 MBHost Matt Sammon looks back at one of the winning sets of 1992-- Fleer. Plus the controversial career and nice rebound for Mo Vaughn. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 52, The Sharp '92 Donruss, and Juan "Gone" Gonzalez!
January 13, 2017 14:45 - 40 minutes - 36.9 MBHost Matt Sammon looks at Donruss' much-improved '92 set, even if it couldn't quite catch up to the competition. And the "tragic" career of Juan Gonzalez. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 51, The Kid-Tested & Mother-Approved '92 Triple Play, and "Killer B" Jeff Bagwell!
January 10, 2017 14:46 - 33 minutes - 30.7 MBHost Matt Sammon looks at the '92 Donruss Triple Play set which was a good idea that probably came out at the wrong time. Plus we look at Jeff Bagwell's career, and maybe the 2nd-worst trade in Red Sox history. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 50, Fool's Gold with '92 Leaf, and BIG Dave Winfield!
January 06, 2017 14:50 - 44 minutes - 41.1 MBHost Matt Sammon looks at the "safe" '92 Leaf set, and how Dave Winfield went from "Mr. May" to "Mr. Jay". Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 49, The Coming of Age of Bowman in 1992... and Donnie Baseball!
January 03, 2017 14:50 - 49 minutes - 45.5 MBHost Matt Sammon looks at the pinnacle of Bowmna baseball cards, the sharp and still valuable '92 set. Plus a look at the great career of Don Mattingly. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 48, The Last "Fun" Baseball Card Set... It's '91 Topps
December 30, 2016 14:50 - 50 minutes - 46.7 MBHost Matt Sammon looks back at the last "fun" baseball card set, with gum stains and cheap cardboard stock, 1991 Topps. Plus we look at your least favorite sets, and the rather controversial career of Gary Sheffield. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 47, The Bar in the Hobby Gets Raised Again with '91 Stadium Club, and Future HOFer Robbie Alomar!
December 27, 2016 14:47 - 49 minutes - 45.3 MBHost Matt Sammon discusses the groundbreaking '91 Stadium Club set, set even Upper Deck had to adjust to. Plus the HOF career of Roberto Alomar, and the 1991 Sears catalog!
Episode 46, The Tony! Toni! Tone! '91 Donruss Set, and the Incredible Career of Ken Griffey Jr
December 23, 2016 14:50 - 42 minutes - 39 MBHost Matt Sammon looks at the great career of Ken Griffey Jr., and the not great but better '91 Donruss set. Follow us on Twitter, @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 45, Awkward Luis Gonzalez on the Awkward '91 Fleer set
December 20, 2016 14:50 - 42 minutes - 39.3 MBYellow! Host Matt Sammon looks at the rubber ducky Fleer set from 1991, and discusses the productive yet somewhat dark-shadowed career of Luis Gonzalez. Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 44, The Last Time Upper Deck Ruled the Premium Roost, and Royce Clayton's "Entertaining" Career
December 16, 2016 15:50 - 46 minutes - 42.2 MBHost Matt Sammon looks at the steady, consistently classy '91 Upper Deck set, the more productive post-baseball career of Royce Clayton, and more fan throwbacks! Follow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 43, The Set That Was Too Big AND Failed-- '91 Score and Slammin' Sammy Sosa!
December 13, 2016 14:50 - 45 minutes - 41.7 MBHost Matt Sammon looks at the '91 Score set which had some nice design elements, but had massive overproduction for a gluttonous 893-card set. We also look at the career of Sammy Sosa, which also had its good points, but now goes down as a failure. Follow us on Twitter at @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 42, The 1991 Killer B's-- Biggio and Bowman!
December 09, 2016 14:50 - 45 minutes - 41.5 MBHost Matt Sammon looks back at the set that proved to be a turning point for Bowman, and the position change that was a turning point in Hall of Famer Craig Biggio's career. Folllow us on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains
Episode 41, "Neon" Deion Sanders Shines With '91 Leaf
December 06, 2016 14:50 - 32 minutes - 30.1 MBHost Matt Sammon looks at the great sophomore set from Leaf, and the somewhat great 2-sport career of Deion Sanders, who clearly took off in football after a handful of productive seasons in MLB. Follow is on Twitter @WaxAndGumStains