FROM THE SIDELINES: Baseball cards remain part of national pastime

We’re talking baseball today. Collecting baseball cards was a childhood hobby of mine while growing up in Philadelphia.

My collection filled several shoeboxes. I especially cherished the cards of my Phillies heroes like Richie Allen, Johnny Callison, Jim Bunning and Chris Short. My cards got thrown away when we moved from Philly to Huntsville in 1968.

So, my wife, Janice, and I enjoyed riding with our son, Cole, when he drove Feb. 18 to Scottsboro for the Scottsboro Sports Card and Memorabilia Show. The event at the Scottsboro Civic Center was sponsored by Jackson’s Sports Cards. The next show is April 1.

The parking lot was full of vehicles when we arrived at midmorning for the free show which lasted until 2 p.m. Inside the civic center floor had rows of 150 tables where 80 vendors showed their wares – vintage cards and other sports collectibles. People traded, sold and purchased the items. Most of the memorabilia was from baseball but other sports represented included football, basketball and hockey. The hallway was in use, too. An auction was underway in an adjoining room.

My son found what he was looking for – a Jackie Robinson card. We ate lunch there and had a great time. It’s nice knowing that people still share my love of sports and preserve the memory of legendary players by collecting memorabilia like baseball cards.