For most, sports cards are a nostalgic nod to childhood. But for Billy Manzo, it’s become a career, a business, and a bridge to the big leagues.
As part of Blez Sports Cards, one of the top breaking companies in the game, Billy is deep in the world where cardboard meets commerce, where a single card can command seven figures—and where major league players aren’t just on the cards, they’re collecting them, too.
“I’ve been doing this since I was a kid,” Billy shares. “I'd always go to trade shows with my dad. But the game has changed.”
Today’s sports card world looks nothing like the overprinted stacks of the ’80s and ’90s. Thanks to serial numbering, one-of-one editions, player autographs, and game-used memorabilia embedded into the cards, rarity is now built into the design. And with rarity comes value.
“We’re talking million-dollar cards. Shohei Ohtani rookie cards, Patrick Mahomes, Steph Curry—all going for seven figures. Even young stars like Corbin Carroll and Paul Skenes are seeing serious heat in the market.”
To put it in perspective, according to Billy, the average box of baseball cards that once cost $50 to $100 is now between $200 to $400—and some high-end boxes can run $7,000 or more. But here’s a twist: buyers don’t have to foot the bill for the whole box. At Blez, collectors can buy into a break by team, only paying for the slot they care about.
“If your kid wants Diamondbacks cards, you can just buy the D-backs spot,” Billy explains. “If we hit, those cards are yours.”
The biggest surprise? The pros themselves are obsessed with collecting.
“Mike Trout was the first guy I really connected with over this. He started collecting cards so he could one day show his son—‘Hey, this is who your dad was.’”
It’s that same personal connection that’s fueled Billy’s growing relationships with players like Corbin Carroll, Evan Longoria, and Zac Gallen.
Every spring, during Arizona’s Cactus League season, Billy hosts what might be the coolest dinner in town—a private, invite-only card-breaking night with Diamondbacks players. The latest gathering was held at Ocean 44, where more than a dozen players gathered not to talk stats—but to rip packs.
“I give each guy a box from the year of their rookie card so they have a chance to pull their own. Then I mix in some high-end product, and they start trading with each other right there at the table.”
It’s a scene that’s as much about camaraderie as collecting.
“One of the best moments was watching a young player tell another guy, ‘Man, I’ve been watching your highlights since I was a kid.’ Even the pros can be starstruck.”
Blez Sports Cards operates at one of the largest scales in the industry, streaming live nearly 24/7 across YouTube, Fanatics Live, and Whatnot. Led by Billy, the team opens a constant flow of product while collectors buy in for the chance to claim high-value cards pulled in real time.
One of the biggest moments this year? Pulling a one-of-a-kind Shohei Ohtani card for a customer who had paid $800 for the Dodgers slot in the break. The card later sold for nearly six figures—purchased by the CEO of Topps himself, who then presented it to Ohtani during Opening Day in Japan.
“To see that card go from my hands to Ohtani’s was surreal,” Billy says. “It’s those moments that make this more than just a job—it’s a blast.”
While many collectors love the thrill of chasing rookie sleepers, Billy leans toward the tried-and-true talent. “Everyone wants to find the next big star, but I always tell people—go for the guys who are already showing greatness.”
His current picks?
- Paul Skenes of the Pirates
- Shohei Ohtani
- Established veterans with rookie cards or low-numbered prints
But a word of caution for parents and new collectors: the cheaper the box, the lower your odds.
“It’s like buying a $1 scratch-off ticket versus a $50 one—the big wins are possible, but the odds go up with the investment.”
At the core of it all, Billy’s advice to collectors is simple: know your why.
“Are you collecting for the love of it? For your kids? For the investment? I’ve held onto cards I probably should’ve sold, like my $20,000 Mike Trout rookie. But some cards are more than just paper—they’re personal.”
IG @BillyManzo, @SimplyHighEndCards
“We’re talking million-dollar cards. Shohei Ohtani rookie cards, Patrick Mahomes, Steph Curry—all going for seven figures. Even young stars like Corbin Carroll are seeing heat.”
“Mike Trout was the first guy I connected with over this. He started collecting cards for his son like—‘Hey, this is who your dad was.’”