Grand Slam baseball cards are a collectible item featured in Far Cry 5 that baseball card collectors both within the world of Hope County, Montana and among real-life gamers can appreciate finding. Although just a small part of the overall collectible elements in Far Cry 5, the inclusion of baseball cards provides an authentic nod to small town Americana and a nostalgic hobby.
In the rural setting of Far Cry 5, it’s realistic that baseball and the collecting of baseball cards would be a beloved pastime for many residents. Baseball has long held prominence in American popular culture, particularly in smaller communities. Finding vintage cardboard pieces from legends of the game mixed in with the chaos of liberating outposts adds a charming anachronism. It also grants the player motive to thoroughly explore every nook and cranny aside from just following the critical path.
There are 52 total Grand Slam baseball cards that can be found throughout Far Cry 5’s map of Hope County. Locations include overturned vehicles, abandoned structures, scattered chests, and behind/under various objects in the environment. Obtaining a full set is not necessary to complete the game but is a fun optional side-objective for completionists or those with an enthusiasm for baseball memorabilia. Cards are randomly distributed with no guarantee of finding a certain player at any one spot.
Some notable Hall of Fame players featured on the Grand Slam cards include Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Sandy Koufax, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Nolan Ryan. Other legendary names that any baseball fan would recognize such as Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson, Stan Musial, and Ken Griffey Jr. also have cards. More modern greats and active players at the time of Far Cry 5’s 2018 release like Mike Trout, Clayton Kershaw, and Kris Bryant are incorporated as well.
Collecting each Grand Slam baseball card unlocks an associated background image for the player’s cabin. Over 50 photos are awarded portraying the star on the card either in action on the field or in a classic baseball portrait. Displaying a collection of these vintage cards and photos brings a nostalgic flair to the safe house space. It’s a subtle environmental storytelling touch that radio host and baseball fanatic Clayton Stewart would certainly appreciate.
As physical items, baseball cards hold tangible value and importance in addition to their sentimental worth. In Far Cry 5’s fictional economy, Grand Slam cards also have an assigned dollar value. Rarer, more acclaimed players command higher prices than average role players. This value corresponds to the cards’ usefulness for in-game purchases or crafting recipes. For example, a Babe Ruth card may vendor for over $300 while a lesser star like Tommy John would only net around $20.
Of course, like any collectible, the cards on their own are just pieces of printed cardboard without cultural or nostalgic context. But for those who enjoy baseball and remember the era when card collecting was a hugely popular American pastime, finding classic players among Far Cry 5’s scattered treasures provides a fun bonus. Even without any personal history with the cards, their inclusion contributes to making Hope Valley feel like a believable slice of Americana. Small town Montana is the perfect setting for such a fun vintage hobby to still be appreciated.
The Grand Slam baseball cards don’t amount to a major gameplay element or narrative hook in Far Cry 5. Their presence acts as creative environmental storytelling and an authentic flavoring that enriches the depiction of rural Montana. It’s a nice optional collectible side-activity for completionists or those who specifically enjoy baseball nostalgia. Whether valued for their dollar amount, unlocked backdrop, or just the fondness of a childhood hobby, searching every nook and cranny of Hope County for all 52 vintage players makes for an enjoyable collection pursuit among the madness of liberating the region from the Seeds’ control.
