Baseball cards have been a beloved part of American culture for over a century, capturing moments from the national pastime on small pieces of cardboard that fans young and old could collect and trade. The hobby took root even in smaller communities like Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, where cards provided entertainment and connection during baseball’s golden age.
Broken Arrow’s history with baseball cards dates back to the late 1800s. Some of the earliest documented card collections in the town were assembled in the 1880s, as kids started swapping newly mass-produced cards from companies like Goodwin & Co. and Old Judge. Production was still relatively low during this time, making certain cards quite rare. One Broken Arrow resident, Jed Smith, still has an 1887 Goodwin Champions set that’s been passed down for generations.
Through the early 1900s, baseball cards continued growing in popularity in Broken Arrow as more sets were released each year from top publishers like American Caramel, Sweet Caporal, and Tobacco cards. Kids could often be found trading duplicates out on the sidewalks and at the local drug store. The cards not only depicted big league stars, but also players from minor league teams like the Tulsa Oilers that some Broken Arrow residents followed. Picking up cards of local heroes gave the hobby a special hometown connection.
The golden age of baseball cards arrived during the 1930s and 1940s. Gum and candy companies like Goudey, Play Ball, and Leaf pumped out beautifully illustrated cards that depicted both the action on the field and colorful player portraits. Their relatively low cost and inclusion in packs of gum and candy made them extremely accessible. Many Broken Arrow families still have large collections started by children during this time period. Some cards that frequently surface in local collections include stars like Mel Ott, Dizzy Dean, and Joe DiMaggio.
Into the 1950s, Topps dominated the baseball card market and produced some of the most iconic and valuable sets ever. Their colorful designs and large player photographs captured the post-war optimism and boom in baseball’s popularity. In Broken Arrow, it was common to see kids riding their bikes around the neighborhood, offering trades to collect their favorite Topps stars. To this day, a complete 1956 Topps set is considered the pinnacle for many local collectors.
The 1960s saw the introduction of multi-player cards by Topps that made collecting more challenging. At the same time, the rise of the expansion franchises brought the excitement of major league ball to new cities like Kansas City. This gave Broken Arrow fans new hometown teams to root for and collect. Many residents have fond memories of sending away box tops and labels to receive Kansas City A’s and Royals cards not found in local stores.
Into the 1970s and 1980s, the baseball card market exploded with new manufacturers like Fleer and Donruss entering the scene. Kids in Broken Arrow could be seen at card shows that would visit town, hoping to find rare rookies or complete older sets. The junk wax era produced so many cards that values plummeted, but excitement remained. Icons like Nolan Ryan, George Brett, and Cal Ripken Jr. all had huge followings among local collectors.
Today, baseball cards remain a popular pastime in Broken Arrow. Local card shops like Sports Cards Plus have helped introduce new generations to the hobby. Vintage local collections that were started decades ago continue to be passed down, preserving memories of the game’s history. While the industry has certainly changed, cards still foster that sense of community and connection to baseball that first drew kids in Broken Arrow so long ago. The small town continues to produce passionate fans and collectors, carrying on the tradition.