The idea started as a joke, but soon developed into a creative way to showcase the important work of bomb squads across the country. Known as “bomb squad baseball cards,” each card features a photo and brief biography of an individual bomb technician, with stats and awards related to their career defusing explosives and protecting the public.
The concept was born in the late 1990s when a group of bomb technicians gathered for their annual training conference. As they often did, they began trading stories about past calls and memorable explosives they had encountered. One technician jokingly said to another, “Man, you’ve disabled way more bombs than me. You should be an all-star.” This led to laughter and more good-natured ribbing about who had the best “stats.”
One of the technicians, John Wilson from the Los Angeles Police Department, was struck by how much the conversation mirrored the way he and his friends used to talk about baseball cards as kids. He started sketching out what a bomb squad version of a baseball card might look like. His drawing featured made-up stats like “devices rendered safe” and “close calls.” It was meant as a silly novelty, but the concept resonated with his colleagues.
Word of the bomb squad baseball cards started to spread to other bomb disposal units. Technicians saw them as a fun way to recognize the accomplishments of their peers in a lighthearted manner. No two bomb squads operated in exactly the same way, so each unit took creative license in designing their own card templates and determining appropriate stats. Many of the core stats that showed up on multiple cards included:
Devices Rendered Safe – The total number of confirmed explosive devices the technician has disabled over their career. This included things like improvised explosive devices (IEDs), grenades, homemade bombs.
Secondary Devices Discovered – The number of additional hidden or booby-trapped explosives found during a technician’s initial response. Finding secondary devices shows attention to detail and helps keep first responders safe.
Close Calls – Any incidents where the technician had a dangerous experience with an unstable or unexpectedly reactive device. Even one close call is risky for these professionals.
Training Missions – The number of practice devices and simulated calls the technician has handled to keep their skills sharp and pass knowledge to new members of the squad. Training saves lives.
Awards – Any special commendations, medals, or honors received for acts of bravery or innovation in the line of duty. Bomb work is a high-pressure job and awards recognize those who go above and beyond.
Longest Shot – The maximum effective range at which a technician has safely disabled a device remotely, using explosive charges or other means without approaching the target. Long shots minimize risk.
Each card also featured a photo of the technician, usually in their bomb suit or tactical gear. A short biography on the back provided details like years of experience, notable calls responded to, and bomb disposal certifications earned. Units traded cards at conferences so technicians from other cities could learn about the “players” on other squads.
The bomb squad baseball cards achieved a degree of popularity within explosive ordnance disposal communities. While still largely meant as an insider novelty, some cards found their way online or into the hands of law enforcement memorabilia collectors. The concept helped bomb technicians find humor and camaraderie in what is otherwise deadly serious work. It also provided a unique way for the public to connect with these unsung first responders and gain insight into the metrics that separate an average day from a truly impressive feat of bomb disposal. Over a decade since those first hand-drawn prototypes, bomb squad baseball cards continue to be crafted and collected by explosives experts nationwide.
