Baseball Cards in Plymouth, Minnesota: A Rich History of the Hobby
The small city of Plymouth, Minnesota has had a rich history with baseball cards dating back to the early 1950s. Like many American towns during that era, the baseball card collecting craze took hold among the youth in Plymouth. Boys could frequently be found trading and discussing their newest acquisitions in neighborhood ball fields or at the local drug store. Three shops in particular – Johnson’s Drug Store, Clark’s Corner Store, and Bob’s Bait Shop – served as informal hubs where kids congregated to engage in the beloved hobby.
While the roots of baseball card collecting can be traced to the late 1800s, it was the postwar economic boom and rise of mass production that truly launched the modern baseball card industry. Companies like Topps, Bowman, and Fleer began churning out packs for just a few pennies, putting entire sets within the reach of most American children. For those growing up in Plymouth in the 1950s, opening a fresh pack and hoping for prized rookie cards was a truly exciting experience. Whether hunting for the likes of Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, or local heroes like Harmon Killebrew, the thrill of the chase bonded countless friends.
As the 1960s rolled around, the popularity of baseball cards in Plymouth reached new heights. By this time, several shops had emerged as destinations solely for the trading card crowd. Arguably the most prominent was Ernie’s Sport Cards, which opened its doors in 1962 at 4305 Vinewood Lane North. Run by local resident Ernie Johnson, the small store became the epicenter of card collecting activity in Plymouth. Kids could be found packing the small shop on weekends and after school, engaging in boisterous trades and debates over who had the best collection. Ernie also fostered community by organizing the area’s first baseball card shows in 1967.
The 1970s represented baseball card collecting’s golden age in Plymouth. With the rise of the Counterculture movement, a newfound appreciation emerged for nostalgia and nostalgic pursuits like collecting cards. Meanwhile, the city’s population continued to boom, bringing many young families who passed the hobby onto their kids. Shops like Ernie’s were now overflowing on a daily basis, as the range of available cards also greatly expanded beyond just baseball. It was during this period that the first organized leagues and tournaments started up in Plymouth for sports like baseball, basketball, and football. Prizes would often include packs, singles, or even complete vintage sets.
At the same time, a new challenge emerged for shops as speculators and unscrupulous buyers began manipulating the scarcity and value of some key vintage cards. In response, Ernie and others instated strict policies against reselling cards for profit within their stores. They aimed to protect the experience for young collectors. Meanwhile, annual card shows grew larger and more prominent on Plymouth’s social calendar through the 1970s. Vendors would descend from across the Midwest to connect with the city’s huge base of avid collectors. National conventions were also starting to take shape, allowing locals the chance to network on a bigger stage.
The 1980s saw baseball card collecting in Plymouth transition into more of a speculative craze fueled by skyrocketing NBA prices. While the hobby remained strong, some argued it lost some of the carefree innocence of previous eras. The rise of online selling platforms in the 1990s further commercialized the pursuit of cards as investments. Dedicated shops like Ernie’s Sport Cards managed to survive, continuing to serve a loyal, multi-generational customer base in Plymouth. Ernie passed in 2005, but his family has kept the store running as a tribute. Today, it stands as one of the oldest continually operating card shops in the entire country.
In the modern-day, Plymouth has developed a well-deserved reputation as a haven for collectors across the Midwest. Annual card shows still convene in the city, while dedicated groups like the Plymouth Card Collectors Club meet regularly to network, trade, and organize local events. Meanwhile, independent shops like Ernie’s have been joined by national chains and bustling LCS’s (local card shops). The pastime also continues to be passed down through generations, as childhood collections are lovingly preserved and expanded upon. Few cities can match Plymouth’s deep history and continuing passion for the hobby. Its influence is sure to keep the baseball card tradition alive and thriving for many years to come.
