By Darin In the world of sports memorabilia, there are many paths to take—some chase the high-value “investor” cards, while others seek to complete entire annual sets. But there is a specific brand of passion found in the Team Collector.
Recently on the podcast, Darin Hayes sat down with Ryan Minnigh, a “super collector” of the Pittsburgh Steelers, to discuss how focusing on a single franchise can turn a hobby into a powerful tool for preserving football history. Ryan’s journey from a casual pack-opener to a curator of nearly 1,700 unique Steelers items offers a blueprint for anyone looking to start their own team-centric archive.
Why Team Collecting?
For Ryan, the appeal wasn’t just about the “thrill of the hunt” in random packs; it was about the connection to the game. He recalls his first “hit”—a 2002 Eddie George jersey card—as the moment he felt physically connected to the sport. By focusing on the Steelers, he moved away from “chasing the odds” and toward “piecing together the moments” of the team he loved.
Strategies for the Aspiring Team Collector
If you’re looking to dive into team collecting, Ryan suggests avoiding the “shotgun approach” (trying to buy everything at once). Instead, try these targeted strategies:
- The Roster Method: Start by pulling an all-time roster. Ryan’s ambitious goal is to own an item representing every player who ever suited up for the Steelers.
- The Milestone Approach: Focus on a specific championship year (like the ’85 Bears or the 2013 Seahawks) or even your birth year to keep the collection manageable and meaningful.
- The Rookie Pivot: Collect the rookie cards of every player on your team’s current or historical roster. Note: You may have to accept cards of players in different uniforms (e.g., a Marshawn Lynch rookie card features him as a Buffalo Bill).
- The Aesthetic Angle: Focus on specific brands known for great photography, such as the Stadium Club sets of the mid-90s.
Pro-Tips for Managing Your Collection
A massive collection requires discipline. Here are the essential pointers Ryan shared for keeping your “Pigskin Pearls” organized and protected:
| Category | Advice |
| Organization | Use sites like TCDB.com (Trading Card Database) to create digital checklists. It helps you stay “honest” and avoids distracting “shiny” purchases. |
| Protection | Always use penny sleeves and top loaders. Never let cards sit loose, or you’ll risk devaluing the history you’re trying to preserve. |
| Storage | While 5,000-count boxes are standard, don’t be afraid of specialized cases. Darin even mentioned using 3D-printed airtight cases for odd-sized vintage cards. |
| Display | Cards aren’t meant to just sit in boxes. Use small plastic card stands to rotate your favorites onto your desk or shelf so you can read the witty bios on the back. |
More Than Just Cardboard
Ryan views these cards as “little monuments.” Through his Substack and social media, he uses his collection to tell stories—especially during Black History Month, where he highlights the pioneers of the sport. Whether a player was a star for twenty seasons or a “cup of coffee” player for one, their card is a permanent record of their contribution to the game.
As Ryan puts it, the collection is never truly finished. Every draft and every free agency signing brings new stories to tell and new “monuments” to find.
Want to see Ryan’s collection in action? You can find him at 304 Collector Corner across all social media platforms.
