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Over the past couple of years, trading cards, specifically baseball, have taken off. While it may have initially been pandemic-driven, it’s been a sustained level of enjoyment ever since. Although there’s a monetary aspect involved, it’s evident that the hobby is equally about enjoying the camaraderie of others. No one embodies that more than Midwest Box Breaks. Over the past 18 months, I’ve taken a look at multiple different trading card stories. There was the one about former Twins pitcher Phil Hughes driving a new version of celebrity. Minnesota’s own D.J. Skee has headlined Project 70 for Topps, and Blake Jamieson helped put the first art project for Topps on the map. While I touched on card breaking in this piece detailing where the hobby is now, I haven’t dove in with anyone specific. Ben Smith, the owner of Midwest Box Breaks, seemed like the perfect person to talk with. From his ability to launch and grow a platform to foster and form an inclusive community, his impact in the space is massive. I caught up with him recently and touched on a handful of subjects. He had a lot of great insight to share. Twins Daily: Tell us about yourself. Who are you, what is Midwest Box Breaks, and how did you get into the hobby? Midwest Box Breaks: My name is Ben Smith. I collected cards as a kid in the 80s and early 90s. My first pack was ’83 Topps. My friends were all card collectors and that’s how I got into it. I put my collection away for several years when life, work, kids, etc became the focus. I would still occasionally buy some packs and rip them but I didn’t fully get back into the hobby until about 4 years ago. When I came back, a coworker friend told me about box breaks or group breaks. I tried a few and was instantly hooked. It didn’t take long to realize that buying cards was way easier than selling cards. I wanted to create a group that also put as much effort into selling, trading, and networking with other collectors. It was also important to me to create a place where new and returning collectors could learn and feel welcomed. That vision consumed me and that’s how Midwest Box Breaks was born. TD: Baseball cards have taken off over the past few years, but it’s no longer just influenced by the pandemic. What do you attribute that to and what has been the most exciting innovation you’ve seen? MBB: Social media really impacted card collecting and made it easier to connect with fellow collectors. But within the last few years, the biggest impact I’ve seen to the hobby boom have been people like Gary Vaynerchuk, Phil Hughes, and many other celebrities, athletes, and influencers. There is so much content to be consumed on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Twitch. The pandemic has brought even more people into collecting, as a way to escape, relax, and stay connected with friends. I’m always passionate about helping collectors sell, to ultimately put money back into their pockets, so they can have money to fuel their collections. Recently, a platform called Loupe has had enormous success because it gives collectors the ability to purchase cards and watch them be opened instantly right from their phone. Within the last 2 years, so many new companies have started up that use sales data and other information to educate collectors. “Not your father’s card collecting!” TD: As a breaker you connect with people from all different walks of life. You’ve befriended former Twins star Phil Hughes and partnered with him in a few areas. How did that relationship come about and what are your thoughts on current and former players getting into collecting? MBB: Phil has been great. He’s a knowledgeable, passionate collector with a sense of humor and a big heart. I was fortunate enough to help out at his National Convention booth and it’s obvious he cares about fans, followers, and collectors. I think we just tagged him enough on Twitter until he finally jumped in a break. Many of our regular customers and Twitter friends found us through Phil. I think anytime you get someone well known into the hobby it’s a good thing. We need to try harder to reach young people and keep this hobby going for future generations. TD: Breaking has become a key aspect in the hobby world for some years now. As someone who’s generated a strong following and created a positive platform in the space, what differentiates you, your company, and the experience? MBB: There are a lot of great breakers. I have become friends with many of them and we talk frequently. Most of us will help anyone that needs it. As I mentioned before, I really wanted to create a community to help new and returning collectors, and also provide a platform to help people sell, trade, and complete sets. Our group is really more of a family, that happens to all collect cards. My goal has been to show people that working together can improve the experience for everyone, and that together we can achieve amazing things. I try to promote a team atmosphere. We support and lean on each other, in good times and bad. I truly believe that everyone has a role and provides experience and leadership when given a chance to be involved. We have an amazing nucleus of kind people in our group that put others before themselves. We always say that it’s about more than just cards. TD: As a sports fan, it’s hard to find something more easily obtainable than sports cards. What are some of your favorites in your collection? Any names you’re looking at as making a big splash in the year ahead? MBB: I’m a lifelong fan of the Yankees and 49ers. I had family from both areas as a kid. I really love my vintage Yankees like Mantle, Berra, and Maris. My favorite player is Don Mattingly. I attended his charity event a few years ago and got to meet him. It was a lifetime dream fulfilled. I have a nice Yankees collection and my favorite Niners cards would be my Joe Montana and Jerry Rice rookies. As far as younger prospects today, I have been watching guys that come through the Padres organization more closely. I’m in Fort Wayne, Indiana, home of the Tincaps, Padres High A affiliate. I actually got to do a live break from a Tincaps suite this past summer, and was interviewed from the broadcast booth during the game. TD: It’s interesting in that whole sports are a cyclical event, their interest continues well beyond the realm of a current season. Why do you think hype or enjoyment remains well into the offseason or even now while we’re dealing with a baseball lockout? MBB: Every sport collected does see a slight dip in the offseason. Collectors keep it interesting and the new product releases still happen during the offseason. The desire to go after prospects and speculate in the hobby keep it going 365 days a year. Local monthly card shows also give collectors a chance to stay active and fuel the year round hype. TD: Talk to us about NFTs. It’s not an area I’ve dabbled in at all, but know it’s something you’ve begun expanding towards. How does that relate directly to Midwest Box Breaks and why are you so excited about it for the future? MBB: I’m new to NFTs but just learning and absorbing info constantly. The most common trait of a successful NFT project is its community. The ones I’ve joined have welcomed me and even sponsored some break events. Quite a few people I’ve met there are also card collectors. The best projects are creating value for their members by putting funds from minting back into their community. It didn’t take long for me to realize that an NFT based on our “Break Club” community that was focused on card collecting could help share our vision with the world and create something special for our collector friends. Break Club NFT will be launching in January ’22. TD: I know community and camaraderie are among the largest pulls in the hobby, and I’d imagine you feel the same. Can you talk about what you have going on with your Discord and how that has helped to shape your operation? MBB: Discord has been a big part of what we do and how we work together as a team. It’s a great place to communicate and share information in an organized way. Collectors can learn, ask questions, chat, hang out, and join fun hobby related activities. It truly is a family. We’ve helped our friends get through bad times and there is always someone around to help or just listen. We can talk trash on game day, but we can also work together for charity or to pick up a friend who is down. Everything Midwest Box Breaks is about can be found in our Discord server. Let’s end with some rapid fire. When do you think the lockout ends? In time for opening day. Too much to lose from impacting the season. Where is Clayton Kershaw signing? Yankees would be great. Who is winning the 2022 World Series? Heart-Yankees; Does Barry Bonds belong in the Hall of Fame? Eventually yes, and the others too. Who wins an MVP first, Soto, Acuna Jr, Tatis Jr, or Franco? Tatis-stay healthy! Ben was great to talk with and you can connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article