Baseball cards have been an integral part of American culture since the late 19th century. While the hobby grew exponentially across the United States in the 20th century, the small town of Moore, Oklahoma developed a unique connection with baseball cards that still remains an important part of the local heritage.
Some of the earliest memories that long-time Moore residents have involve trading and collecting baseball cards. The tradition began in the 1930s as the hobby started gaining widespread popularity nationwide. Local drug stores and general stores began stocking wax packs of cards that kids could purchase for a few pennies. Trading sessions would take place on street corners, in backyards, and at local ball fields. Even though resources were limited in the Depression-era town, baseball cards provided an affordable source of entertainment.
By the 1950s, Moore had developed its own hotbed for the baseball card trade. Several shops downtown made a point to keep stocked with the newest releases from Topps, Bowman, and other manufacturers. Kids would flock to these stores hoping to find rare cards to add to their collections. Legendary spots like Wilson’s 5&10 and Johnson Drugs became the epicenter of card swapping for generations of Moore youth. Even as the town grew, these shops kept the tradition alive well into the 1970s.
A pivotal moment came in 1959 with the opening of Larry’s Sport Cards. Located a few blocks off of Main Street, Larry’s became the first dedicated sports card store in the state of Oklahoma. Owner Larry Eoff had a passion for the hobby and sought to cater specifically to card collectors. He stocked an immense inventory and hosted trading sessions and contests that drew people from across central Oklahoma. Larry’s Sport Cards helped elevate Moore’s status as a hotbed for the baseball card trade at a critical time as the craze exploded nationally.
In the 1960s, little league baseball also blossomed in Moore. Local teams with names like the Cardinals, Dodgers, and Yankees gave kids a chance to emulate their favorite major leaguers. Naturally, baseball cards featuring those big league stars became even more coveted. Many former players recall being just as excited for the pack of cards they might find after a game as they were about playing. They would spend hours afterward sorting through their collections, making trades, and discussing the stats on the back of the cards.
Moore’s connection with baseball cards deepened in the 1970s. Teenagers and young adults joined the frenzy, often collecting as avidly as the kids. The rise of specialty shops allowed for more organized tournaments, auctions, and networking opportunities. Stores like The Trading Post and Moore Sportscards hosted legendary trading sessions that drew collectors from across the region. Meanwhile, garage sales became a hotbed for finding older vintage cards to add to collections.
In the 1980s, the values of vintage and rare cards started to skyrocket. This “boom” period injected new enthusiasm into the hobby, with collectors seeking cards from the 1950s and prior. Meanwhile, the town’s shops continued to thrive by staying on top of the latest releases and trends. Icons like Larry’s Sport Cards, The Trading Post, and Moore Sportscards became destinations that collectors would travel hours to visit. They hosted signings, auctions, and multi-day card shows that raised Moore’s profile nationwide.
This boom period coincided with the rise of Moore’s population and prominence as a suburb of Oklahoma City. As the town grew, so too did its connection with baseball cards. New specialty shops opened to meet demand, including Card Collector’s Heaven and Game Time Sports Cards. Meanwhile, the existing shops expanded and drew more national attention. Moore truly became “Baseball Card Capital of Oklahoma” during this era, with a vibrant local scene as well as national notoriety.
In the 1990s, the values of vintage cards continued skyrocketing. Shops in Moore capitalized on the renewed frenzy, hosting massive multi-day shows that filled local event centers. National buyers and sellers attended, treating Moore like a major hub. Meanwhile, the internet allowed Moore’s shops like Larry’s Sport Cards and Card Collector’s Heaven to reach a global customer base. They soon shipped orders worldwide, keeping Moore at the forefront of the booming business.
Today, while the baseball card market has cooled somewhat, Moore maintains a strong local scene and connection to the hobby. Shops like Larry’s Sport Cards survive as institutions, passing the tradition to new generations. The values of vintage cards remain high, and the thrill of the hunt for that elusive find persists for collectors in Moore. Meanwhile, the town has produced several major league players and front office personnel who credit their early love of the game to collecting cards as kids in Moore. The tradition lives on as an integral part of the community’s recreational and cultural heritage.
The small town of Moore, Oklahoma developed a uniquely strong bond with baseball cards across the 20th century. Specialty shops, hot trading scenes, and a vibrant local collector community elevated Moore to a level of prominence far greater than its size. To this day, baseball cards remain deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric and shared memories of Moore – a true “Baseball Card Capital” with a rich history in the hobby.
