Baseball's National Holiday is Here

Throughout the pandemic, card collecting saw a massive resurgence. The hobby has gone through some ups and downs over the past year, but the current period on the calendar may be the pinnacle. With The National Sports Collectors Convention having wrapped up just outside of Chicago last week and now the designated holiday this weekend, card collecting is again center stage.

One of the most successful and prolific companies in the industry is none other than Minnesota’s Real Breaks. Owned by Ryan Holland and operated out of a storefront in Champlin, Minnesota, the company has become a juggernaut in the industry. I checked in with Holland on the state of the hobby, his store, and more. Here’s what he had to say:

Twins Daily: We're now past attributing the explosion of interest in trading cards solely to the pandemic. What's your take on the state of the hobby and excitement surrounding it?  

Ryan Holland: This hobby is great because there is no WRONG way to enjoy it.  Collectors can participate in the hobby purely for fun, as a side hustle for some extra income, or as a full-time gig, buying and selling cards.  While the hobby certainly benefited from the boredom that set in over the pandemic for many sports fans, the industry has been experiencing amazing growth for the past decade.  I believe the hobby has expanded significantly as a result of social media and the ability to participate in communities of like-minded collectors all over the world.  It has never been easier to buy and sell trading cards as it is today, and this hobby is one of the few that can actually pay you back once in a while.

TD: Having just gotten through The National, what have you seen in trading cards this year that excites you the most, and what do you see as the next innovation? 

RH: The National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago was the largest it has ever been, with nearly 50% of attendees visiting the show for the first time.  There were many companies showcasing new technologies at the show, including grading companies, live-streaming platforms, and others.  One of my favorite new apps is Loupe, a company that has created a smooth interface that allows collectors to easily purchase product from live-streaming dealers and watch a wide variety of products being opened in real-time.

TD: Speaking to someone just getting back into the hobby, what are some tips and tricks you can share about breaks, buying cards, and collecting as a whole? 

RH: The most important thing in this hobby is to find someone you trust to learn from.  Get plugged into some of the collecting communities out there on social media, whether it's Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.  We run a community on Facebook called Real Breaks Marketplace, where collectors can ask each other questions and buy/sell/trade with each other in a safe environment.  Take the time to watch group breaks or box breaks.  Even if you decide that you don't like to participate in breaks and would rather open your own packs, it is a fantastic way to learn about new products to help you decide what you like.  Also, find a local card shop that has embraced the modern hobby and isn't living in the past.  The hobby has changed a ton in the past couple of decades, and you'll want to find someone who can help you navigate the current market.

TD: As both a breaker and business owner, do you also collect cards? What are some of your favorite cards and products?  

RH: When I started my business, I had to change my collecting a bit.  I used to love opening boxes and cases of cards for myself but had to dial it back since I'm surrounded by thousands of boxes in my store, and the temptation would be too great to open them every day.  Now I only collect autographed memorabilia on which the player also inscribed their nickname.  It's my way of finding a cool niche in the hobby, so I'm not just buying everything I see.  My favorite brand of cards is definitely Bowman.  Bowman is the brand that features all of the young prospects and minor leaguers before they make the big leagues.  I love learning about these young guys and trying to predict who's going to be the next breakout star.  

TD: Your store is among the nicest I've ever been in. While it houses your breaking business, it's also a card emporium and combines a place of commerce with the relaxing feel of a local hangout. What were your goals when opening and putting it all together? 

RH: My vision for a modern card store was so different than traditional card shops that I wasn't sure if it would even work.  I grew up going into card shops that were dirty and cluttered and full of old stuff.  I wanted to open a card shop that appealed to modern collectors.  My shop was designed to look more like a high-end art gallery and feel more like a perfect fan cave.  We built a luxury sports lounge where you can relax in style while watching multiple big-screen TVs and drinking a Killebrew Root Beer while you open your packs and boxes in comfort.  Our box and card prices are even on beautiful menus that we can bring directly to your lounging place so you can be served while you watch the big game.  Our business started by creating an online community where members have quickly become friends even though they've never met in person.  I wanted my card shop to facilitate the same kind of community experience.

TD: What makes National Baseball Card day special for you? Do you celebrate in the shop, and what do you like about Topps making it an experience at big league stadiums?  

RH: National Baseball Card Day is a great promotion from Topps and a great opportunity to visit all the card shops in your area to get some FREE cards!  This will be the first National Baseball Card Day since we opened, so I don't quite know what to expect, but I'm really hoping to see tons of kids come into the shop.  The hobby has certainly gotten more expensive than when I was a kid, but we can't forget that getting youth excited about this industry will determine whether anyone cares about cards in 20 more years.  We'll be giving away FREE packs of cards in our shop for National Baseball Card Day and also an exclusive Fernando Tatis Jr card.

TD: One last one, relating specifically to the Twins, where are you at on the collectability of their youth. Kirilloff, Larnach, Lewis, and even the newly-acquired Austin Martin. Who are you most excited for, and who do you see having the best career? 

RH: There is no question that Twins fans have to count on the team developing its next great stars more often than they're going to go out and sign them.  I'm really looking forward to Lewis getting healthy and ready to go for next season.  I think he'll be a great addition to the lineup right out of spring training next year.  The Jose Berrios/Austin Martin trade really got me excited.  Instead of sitting on Berrios until next year when we likely wouldn't get much for him, the Twins made an aggressive move to go get a really talented Austin Martin.  He was projected to be the #2 overall pick in last year's draft, and I think he'll be a great perennial All-Star for the Twins.

Note: You can visit Real Sportscards in person at their store located at 12233 Champlin Dr, Champlin, MN 55316. Collecting options also exist through their Twitter and Facebook.

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