Double Play Baseball Cards: A San Antonio Institution
Double Play Baseball Cards has been a staple of the San Antonio baseball card scene for over 30 years. What started as a small hobby shop run out of the owner’s garage has grown into one of the largest and most respected card shops in all of Texas. Still located in San Antonio today, Double Play continues to be a hub for local collectors and a destination store for collectors from around the state.
Double Play first opened its doors in 1989 when owner John Smith decided to expand his personal collection of cards into a full-fledged business. He rented a small space in a strip mall on the north side of town and stocked it with his personal inventory of cards. Word quickly spread among the local collecting community about the new shop in town and business took off almost immediately. Within a few years, Double Play had outgrown that initial location and moved to a bigger storefront downtown.
Through the 90s, Double Play rode the wave of renewed interest in the hobby sparked by the rise of stars like Ken Griffey Jr. and Cal Ripken Jr. They stocked the latest packs, boxes and sets from Topps, Fleer and others while also amassing an impressive inventory of vintage and rare singles. The shop became a popular weekend destination for collectors both casual and hardcore. Families would spend afternoons browsing the vast selection of affordable commons and rookies while more serious collectors evaluated graded gems and one-of-a-kind vintage rarities.
As the card industry began to boom in the late 90s, Double Play expanded their inventory and services to keep up with growing demand. They added sports memorabilia like autographed balls and jerseys to their offerings. The store was remodeled to include more display cases and seating areas. And they began to offer a mailing list and website to reach customers beyond their local area. This helped turn Double Play into a true destination shop that drew collectors from around the state on buying trips.
Into the 2000s, Double Play continued to cement its place as a pillar of the Texas card community. Owner John Smith was a pioneer in the use of online auctions to move high-end inventory and pioneer the “group break” model that’s now commonplace in the industry. These innovations kept Double Play at the forefront of collecting trends as the rise of the internet began to change the hobby landscape. The shop sponsored and hosted major card shows that drew thousands of attendees from across the region.
Today, Double Play is still going strong after more than three decades in business. Under second-generation ownership, the store has been remodeled again into a 10,000 square foot “card superstore.” In addition to its massive selection of new and vintage basketball, football and baseball cards for sale, it now features a full cafe and event space. Double Play hosts signings, group breaks and release parties that are among the largest and most anticipated events on the Texas card calendar.
For San Antonio collectors, young and old, Double Play remains a vital hub of the local hobby scene. Multi-generational families still make weekly pilgrimages to dig through wax boxes and browse the inventory. It’s also a can’t-miss destination for out-of-town collectors visiting San Antonio. Whether you’re a casual fan or a hardcore collector with a six-figure collection, Double Play feels like a home away from home. Through ever-changing industry trends, it has endured as an institution in the city and Texas card community for over 30 years thanks to passionate ownership and loyal customers
There’s no telling what the next 30 years may hold for the business and hobby. But one thing is for certain – Double Play Baseball Cards will continue to be a staple for collectors in San Antonio and Texas for generations to come. It’s hard to imagine the landscape without its prominent place at the heart of the local scene. However the industry evolves, this iconic shop’s legacy is sure live on.
