Baseball cards have long been a popular pastime for collectors in Brainerd, Minnesota. The tradition of collecting these trading cards dates back to the late 1800s when the first baseball cards were produced as promotional items by tobacco companies like American Tobacco Company.
In the early 20th century, baseball card collecting began gaining popularity among youth in Brainerd. Local stores would stock packs of cards featuring major league players. Kids would trade and swap duplicates with their friends. Having a collection of cards was a fun hobby that also allowed kids to learn about their favorite ballplayers and teams.
One of the first dedicated baseball card shops in Brainerd opened in the 1950s called Brainerd Sportscards. Located downtown on Washington Street, the small shop catered to the growing number of collectors in the Brainerd area. In addition to stocking new packs and boxes of cards, the shop also bought, sold, and traded individual vintage cards. It became a popular hangout for collectors of all ages.
During the 1960s, the golden age of baseball cards arrived. More cards were produced than ever before by Topps, Fleer, and other manufacturers. Local Brainerd shops couldn’t keep the hot new cards in stock. Kids would rush to the store, hoping to find packs featuring stars like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax and more. This fueled more interest in collecting in Brainerd.
In the 1970s, the hobby boomed in popularity across America. Brainerd native and Twins fan Darrell Johnson began his own baseball card collection as a kid in the 1970s. “I loved going to Green’s Drug Store and getting the latest packs of cards. Back then they were only 5 or 10 cents a pack. My favorite players were Rod Carew and Larry Hisle,” recalled Johnson.
By the 1980s, Brainerd was home to multiple baseball card shops as collecting reached new heights. Stores like The Sports Collector, Sports Fanatic, and Great American Baseball Card Company lined Washington Street. These shops hosted card shows, sales, and special appearances by former major leaguers. Brainerd was rapidly becoming a hotbed for collectors in central Minnesota.
In the late 1980s, the baseball card market crashed due to an overproduction of cards. Many shops in Brainerd were forced to close. But a few stores survived by expanding their inventory to include other sports cards like basketball and football. They also began to focus more on vintage cards which held their value better.
By the 1990s, the market had stabilized and collecting rebounded. Newer shops opened like Batter Up Cards & Collectibles and The Dugout which catered to both new collectors and those pursuing pricier vintage cardboard. Online selling also took off, broadening the potential customer base for Brainerd’s card shops.
Today, Brainerd remains an important hub for baseball card collecting in Minnesota. Shops like Batter Up continue thriving by stocking the latest releases while also housing extensive vintage collections. The Brainerd Jaycees also host an annual baseball card show each April that draws hundreds of collectors from across the region to buy, sell and trade.
For over 70 years now, baseball cards have brought enjoyment to collectors in Brainerd. From childhood memories to lifelong pursuits of rare finds, the hobby remains deeply embedded in the city’s history and culture. As long as players continue lacing up their cleats, Brainerd’s card shops will be there, fueling the collecting passions of another generation.
