Baseball Cards in Evansville, Indiana: A Rich History of the Hobby

The city of Evansville, located in southwestern Indiana along the banks of the Ohio River, has a long and rich history with baseball cards and the hobby of card collecting. While the roots of baseball card collecting can be traced all the way back to the late 19th century with the emergence of trade cards, Evansville really came into its own as a hotbed for the hobby in the latter half of the 20th century. Several key factors contributed to Evansville developing such a strong baseball card collecting culture that still thrives today.

Perhaps the biggest reason for Evansville’s prominence in the baseball card world was the presence of numerous card shops that catered directly to collectors. In the 1970s and 80s, it seemed like nearly every strip mall in town housed at least one shop solely dedicated to the sales of cards, supplies, and related memorabilia. Stores like Ace Hobby & Cards, Stadium Sports Cards, and Topps Cards became local institutions where collectors of all ages congregated daily to trade, sell, and discuss the latest releases. These shops helped fuel the growth of the hobby by giving collectors a dedicated place to engage with others who shared their passion.

Another major factor was the city’s proximity to larger card producing companies. Topps, the largest baseball card manufacturer, had a printing plant and distribution center located just an hour away in Cynthiana, Kentucky during the peak decades of the hobby from the 1960s-1990s. This close proximity meant Evansville shops and collectors often received new releases well before they reached other parts of the country. Many lesser known regional card companies operated out of nearby cities like Louisville, providing Evansville with a steady stream of unique local issues to chase. The bounty of available cards kept the local hobby buzzing.

Evansville’s small town atmosphere also contributed to the strength of its card collecting community. In a city of only 120,000 residents in the 1970s-80s, it seemed like everyone either collected cards themselves or knew someone who did. The tight-knit nature of the city and prevalence of card shops made it easy for collectors of all ages to connect with others to trade, learn, and foster the growth of their collections. Many lifelong friendships were formed over impassioned discussions about the latest rookie sensations or oddball vintage finds unearthed from attic stashes.

The University of Southern Indiana’s baseball program also helped keep interest in the hobby strong for multiple generations. USI first fielded a team in 1970 and saw steady growth in popularity over subsequent decades. Local collectors naturally gravitated towards chasing USI players’ rookie cards and following the careers of Screaming Eagles alumni who made their way to the pros. USI games provided a regular social outlet and sense of community that further bonded the city’s card collectors.

All of these factors combined to make Evansville a true hotbed for baseball card collecting throughout the latter 20th century. The local shops, proximity to manufacturers, small town vibe, and college baseball program created the perfect conditions for a thriving hobby scene. While the internet has since connected collectors worldwide and big box retailers replaced specialized shops, Evansville’s legacy lives on. Many lifelong residents still proudly call themselves “card collectors from Evansville” and fondly reminisce about building their collections in the city that embraced their passion. The roots planted decades ago in the local shops, attics, and card shows of Evansville still bear fruit for collectors today. The city rightly deserves its place in the history books as an epicenter for what was once America’s biggest hobby.

Baseball cards have been a beloved hobby for collectors of all ages for decades. As the birthplace of legendary players like Don Mattingly and Jim Thome, Evansville, Indiana has always had a special connection to America’s pastime. This city’s rich baseball history is reflected in its vibrant community of baseball card collectors and traders.

Evansville’s baseball card scene began gaining popularity in the late 1980s as the hobby experienced a nationwide resurgence. Local card shops like Pastime Cards and Comics sprang up to meet the growing demand. They stocked the latest packs, boxes, and supplies to fuel the collecting craze. Kids flocked to these shops after school and on weekends to trade, buy, and sell with others in the community.

Throughout the 1990s, Evansville developed into a true hotbed for the baseball card trade. Weekly trading sessions regularly drew hundreds of collectors of all ages to local venues like the Eagles club and Burdette Park pavilions. People would spend hours poring over boxes full of duplicates, searching for needs to complete sets or acquire new stars. The social aspect was just as big of a draw as the cards themselves. Lifelong friendships were forged through a shared love of the hobby.

By the late 90s, the rise of eBay opened up even more opportunities for Evansville collectors. Suddenly, they had access to a worldwide marketplace to buy, sell, and trade cards. Local collectors like Dan Miller and Todd Hudson gained national reputations among the hobby’s top traders online. Their meticulously organized collections featured some of the rarest vintage and modern gems in the industry.

As the 2000s rolled around, the baseball card scene in Evansville continued to evolve. While online sales boomed, local brick and mortar shops still played a vital role. Pastime Cards stayed at the forefront, run by lifelong collectors like owner Randy Smith. They hosted signings, group breaks, and contests that kept the community engaged. Newer stores like Sportscards Etc. and The Trading Post also welcomed collectors with the latest releases and events.

During this era, the hobby began to splinter into specialized niches. While set collecting remained popular, subsets focusing on specific players, teams, uniforms, and more emerged. Local collectors developed reputations for excelling in certain areas. Jim Schmitt amassed one of the finest collections of Don Mattingly cards in the world. Darin McGlothlin dominated the market for vintage Cincinnati Reds pieces. Their extensive research and obsessive dedication pushed their collections to the highest levels.

As the 2010s rolled around, the local scene remained as strong as ever. Weekly trading sessions and national conventions like National Sports Collectors Convention still brought collectors together. While online sales boomed on platforms like eBay, Facebook, and COMC, local brick and mortar stores found innovative ways to stay relevant as well. Pastime Cards began hosting group breaks of high-end modern products that were livestreamed worldwide. Stores like Sportscards Etc. and The Trading Post found success focusing on exclusive releases, personalization, and unique customer experiences that the online world couldn’t replicate.

Evansville’s baseball card scene today remains one of the most vibrant hobby communities in the country. While the internet opened up a massive worldwide marketplace, local collectors still flock to shops, shows, and social media groups centered around the Tri-State area. An upcoming generation of kids, fueled by the resurgence of the sport during players’ strikes and COVID, has reignited interest as well. Places like Pastime Cards and The Trading Post welcome collectors young and old to continue building upon Evansville’s rich baseball card history and culture for decades to come. Whether hunting vintage gems or chasing the latest stars, the hobby’s passion runs as deep here as the city’s connection to America’s pastime.