Baseball cards have been collecting dust and bringing joy to kids for over 150 years. In Oklahoma City, the tradition of trading, collecting and admiring baseball cards dates back to the early 20th century. From humble beginnings with simple tobacco cards, to the modern era of memorabilia cards and high-priced rare finds, baseball cards have been a part of the fabric of Oklahoma City for generations.
One of the earliest organized baseball teams in Oklahoma City was the Oklahoma City Indians, which began play in 1902 as part of the Texas League. While players’ statistics and accomplishments were documented in local newspapers, it wouldn’t be until decades later that Oklahoma City kids could collect and trade physical representations of their favorite players and teams in the form of modern baseball cards.
In the early 1900s, tobacco companies like American Tobacco, Goodwin & Company and Allen & Ginter began inserting illustrated baseball cards into cigarette and tobacco products. These original “tobacco era” cards from the late 1800s and early 1900s featured iconic players like Honus Wagner and Cy Young. It would take until the 1930s for the baseball card collecting craze to really catch on in Oklahoma City, as production and availability of cards increased.
Kids in 1930s Oklahoma City could find the most recent baseball card releases in local drug stores, corner markets and tobacco shops. Brands like Goudey and Play Ball issued sets showcasing the biggest stars of the day like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Jimmie Foxx. Young fans eagerly awaited the next year’s releases to add to their collections. Swapping duplicate cards was a popular pastime at school, and local card shows began popping up on weekends.
In the post-World War 2 era, the golden age of baseball cards was in full swing. More children than ever had disposable income to spend on wax packs containing the vibrant new cards from manufacturers like Topps. In 1948, Topps secured the exclusive rights to produce major league cards, ushering in an iconic visual style that remains popular today. Oklahoma City kids rushed to local shops to grab the newly released Topps packs, hoping for prized rookies like Mickey Mantle or Willie Mays.
During the 1950s, many future baseball legends had their earliest cardboard appearances. Hometown heroes like Mickey Owen and Bob Carpenter, who played for the Oklahoma City Indians and 89ers minor league teams, received their first baseball cards. Card collecting was no longer just a child’s hobby – it became a serious endeavor for many Oklahoma City teenagers and adults as well. Local card shows at venues like the State Fair saw crowds of enthusiasts trading and selling.
The 1960s saw new innovations in baseball card production that captivated Oklahoma City fans. Topps introduced the first multi-player cards, known as “team” or “team-action” cards. Color photography started appearing on cards in 1967, making players seem more lifelike than ever before. That same year, the Oklahoma City 89ers minor league team had one of its best seasons, no doubt inspiring many new young collectors. In 1969, Topps broke new ground by putting statistics on the back of cards for the first time.
The 1970s was another boom time for baseball cards in Oklahoma City. As the city’s minor league teams like the 89ers continued, a new generation of fans was introduced to the hobby. Stars like Reggie Jackson, Johnny Bench and Nolan Ryan received wide distribution in wax packs. Oklahoma City card shops like Sports Collectors Universe, which opened in 1975, saw lines of customers on release days. The rise of specialty card shows and conventions also took off. In 1973, the first National Sports Collectors Convention was held in Oklahoma City.
In the 1980s, several important developments in the baseball card industry had an impact in Oklahoma City. The arrival of upper deck in 1987 marked the first serious competitor to Topps in decades. This new competition led to flashier photography, embossed logos, and increased production quality. The popularity of trading and collecting cards reached a new high. The increased rarity and value of vintage cards from the 1950s and 1960s became more widely recognized as well. In Oklahoma City, local card shops stayed busy appraising collections and facilitating trades and sales.
During the 1990s, several economic factors led to a speculative boom and bust cycle in the baseball card market. The allure of investing in rare vintage rookies like a T206 Honus Wagner spurred immense interest and skyrocketing prices industry-wide. In Oklahoma City, the ‘card bubble’ brought out many first-time adult collectors and investors. Overproduction of modern cards during this period led to a crash. Still, the city’s passion for collecting was undeterred, and new innovations like refractor parallels and autograph cards captured fans.
In the 2000s and 2010s, baseball cards found a balance of nostalgia, investment, and fun for new and old fans alike in Oklahoma City. While the speculative fervor of the 1990s faded, card collecting remained a popular leisure activity. The rise of the internet let enthusiasts easily research players, swap duplicates, and stay on top of the latest releases. Oklahoma City’s longstanding card shops like Sports Collectors Universe and Collector’s Den thrived through multiple generations of customers.
Today, baseball cards remain a ubiquitous part of Oklahoma City’s sports culture and memories. Modern parallels, autographs, and memorabilia cards sit alongside well-worn vintage favorites in collections. The tradition of searching packs for stars, assembling sets, and appreciating players both familiar and new continues. Whether finding that first Mickey Mantle in a 1950s pack, or chasing down the latest prized rookie, baseball cards have provided decades of enjoyment to the city’s many fans. Their cardboard history in Oklahoma City is deeply woven into the fabric of the community.
