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‘Rated Rabbi’ uses hobby journey to create unique sports card set, podcast
Sometimes we take different paths to reach our destinations. For Rabbi David Spinrad that may be an understatement.
Rabbi David was recently on episodes 256 and 257 of Sports Card Nation. Our conversation was scheduled for Oct. 9, two days after the terrorist attack on Israel. Somehow we still managed to keep our appointment. I love Rabbi David's approach and his podcast (more on that shortly).
Originally from California, he's lived on both coasts as well as other places during his life's journey. Before he ultimately became a Rabbi, he was a New York City bartender and also a personal trainer. Isn't that the normal trajectory?
I think it's the wearing of these different hats that shape who we are. Rabbi David is even-keeled and cares about the details. He collected cards as a kid but, like what happens to many of us sometimes, life took him away from his cards. But, also like many of us, he returned to the hobby.
Rabbi David wanted to share his hobby journey on social media but also wanted it to keep it separate from his professional life as a Rabbi. He bridged both worlds with the handle he came up — “Rated Rabbi,” a play off Donruss' popular “Rated Rookie” cards.
He became an avid podcast listener and realized it was something he wanted to do, but he also knew he wanted to do it differently. A sporting event from his childhood left a lasting impression on him and sparked an idea for his own podcast and YouTube channel.
His father took him to the 1984 MLB All-Star Game in San Francisco. It was obviously a star-studded affair but it also marked the first All-Star Game appearances of perennial All-Stars Ryne Sandberg and Tony Gwynn.
It was equally star-studded off the field as well as Huey Lewis and the News performed the National Anthem and Carl Hubbell and Stu Miller threw out the ceremonial first pitches. Honorary captains were Hank Greenberg and Willie McCovey. San Francisco's own Joe DiMaggio was in attendance and acknowledged on the broadcast as well. Young stud pitchers Dwight Gooden and Fernando Valenzuela pitched four combined innings with six combined strikeouts.
Rabbi David wanted to do a podcast focusing on the highlights and details of the game and broadcast, including the commercials. The way he took a deep dive on the game on his YouTube channel is unique, interesting and riveting. Did you know that Huey Lewis and the News has a 7-Eleven Slurpee disc? Me neither until I listened to his podcast. It's in the 1985 Slurpee Rockstars release.
Playing off the podcast, he's also completed a master set of graded cards from all involved in the All-Star Game and related events. Joe D's cameo and the broadcast cost him a few extra bucks.
In an age when creating new and interesting hobby content is becoming increasingly difficult, “Rated Rabbi” has carved out a cool and interesting niche in the space.
By the way, the podcast is still ongoing and I'm learning more things with every episode. Check it out on YouTube at The Rated Rabbi Sports Card Podcast.
— John Newman is a collector, dealer and the host of the Sports Card Nation podcast. Catch his Hobby Quick Hits on Monday and his guest interviews on Friday on your favorite podcast platform. You can reach him at sportscardnationpc@gmail.com or on Twitter at @ sportscardnati1
John Newman is the host of the Sports Card Nation podcast
