Evan Lee’s Love of Baseball Cards
Evan Lee has had a passion for baseball cards since he was just a young boy. Growing up in suburban Detroit, Michigan, he would eagerly await the weekend so he could walk to the local convenience store and buy a pack or two of cards. Even back then in the 1980s and 90s, he was drawn to the nostalgia and history captured in each colorful cardboard slice. Little did he know that this early interest would blossom into a full-fledged hobby and lifelong collection.
As Evan got older, he started paying more attention to specific players and teams rather than just collecting random cards. He began to focus on star players from his favorite team, the Detroit Tigers, like Alan Trammell, Lou Whitaker, Kirk Gibson, and Jack Morris. Evan also started learning the basics of what made certain cards more valuable – things like the year, condition, rarity, and of course autographs or memorabilia pieces. His collection grew rapidly as he visited card shows, shops, and traded eagerly with friends at school and little league games.
In high school, Evan’s love for the hobby reached new heights. He joined several online baseball card forums and groups where he could discuss players, trades, and the industry with like-minded collectors all over the world. This exposed him to a whole new world of rare and valuable vintage cards from the early 20th century that had previously seemed unattainable. Evan began saving up money from his part-time job to slowly add some of these pricier antique gems to his collection, like a 1909 T206 Honus Wagner and a 1914 Cracker Jack insert of Ty Cobb.
After graduating high school in 2002, Evan decided to study sports marketing and communications at Michigan State University. During his college years, he continued amassing cards but also started getting more involved in the business side of the hobby. Evan volunteered at major card shows in the area, helping vendors set up and break down their displays. He also began writing articles and reviews for baseball card publications and websites. This allowed Evan to network with industry professionals and gain valuable experience in areas like authentication, grading, pricing, and market trends.
Upon earning his bachelor’s degree in 2006, Evan’s passion for the hobby and business skills led him to start his own online baseball card store. He began by selling duplicates from his personal collection on eBay to raise some start-up capital. Within a few short years, Evan’s business – called Evan’s Elite Cards – had grown into one of the largest and most trusted online retailers in the industry. In addition to individual card sales, Evan organized group breaks where customers could purchase random team/player spots for a chance at rare hits. He also hosted a popular blog and YouTube channel reviewing the latest releases.
As his company found success, Evan continued building one of the most impressive private baseball card collections in the world. Some highlights include a near-complete set of 1952 Topps in pristine mint condition, a 1916 Cracker Jack Honus Wagner replica, and a game-worn Babe Ruth jersey card. Evan has also amassed a huge stockpile of rare vintage rookie cards like a Mickey Mantle from 1952, a Mike Trout from 2009, and a Ken Griffey Jr. from 1989 Upper Deck. His prized possessions are a T206 Wagner from 1910 graded PSA 8 and an unopened case of 2009 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects, which contains prospects like Trout and Manny Machado.
Today at age 38, Evan Lee’s childhood hobby has become his life’s work and passion. In addition to running his thriving online business, he regularly attends and exhibits at the largest national card shows. Evan also serves on the board of directors for the Professional Sports Authentication Company, helping to ensure a fair and reputable grading process. His world-class collection is considered one of the finest private assemblages in the industry, a true testament to his three decades of dedication to the cardboard treasures of America’s pastime. Evan plans to pass down his love of baseball cards to his young son and hopes the hobby will continue to thrive for generations to come.
