For Eric Finck, business and passion go hand in hand. By day, he’s a Farmers Insurance agency owner, helping people navigate their insurance needs. But outside the office, his lifelong love of sports collecting has led to his second venture—EJ’s Sportscards and Collectibles, a space where collectors buy, sell, and trade memorabilia.
A Lifelong Passion
Eric’s love for sports cards began in 1984 when he was a young Kansas City Royals fan growing up in Manhattan, Kansas. A visit to Dev’s Dugout, the local card shop, changed everything.
“I bought my first pack of cards, and from that point on, I was hooked,” he recalls. The thrill of collecting, studying player statistics, and chasing complete card sets fueled his passion for decades.
By 1989, Eric was attending sports card shows to buy and sell, supporting his collection while meeting fellow enthusiasts. Over the years, he built an impressive collection, focusing on vintage baseball sets from 1970 and earlier. Some of his prized possessions include a complete 1953 Topps set, a 1954 Topps Hank Aaron rookie card, a 1948 Bowman Jackie Robinson, and a 1953 Bowman Color Pee Wee Reese card.
“I love the hunt,” Eric says. “Finding that one missing piece to complete a set is what drives me. It’s the thrill of the chase.”
The Birth of EJ’s Sportscards and Collectibles
With his collection growing, Eric needed a dedicated space. He converted a building on his property into a shop, creating a haven for his hobby while giving local collectors a place to connect. EJ’s Sportscards and Collectibles, at 10388 S Road in Hoyt, is open on Saturdays and features sports cards, autographs, figurines, magazines, and more.
The Collectibles Market
While Eric primarily buys and sells at shows, he also lists items on eBay and Facebook Marketplace. He closely follows sports trends, researching player performance and market fluctuations to understand what’s hot. Right now, he says, football rookies Bo Nix and Jayden Daniels are in demand, while Patrick Mahomes cards continue to hold strong value.
“The market is pretty hot right now,” Eric explains. “My concern is overproduction, like in the late ’80s and ’90s – those cards are not valuable. That’s why I focus on vintage—those cards are set in value, and they’re not making more of them.”
Beyond sports cards, Eric has expanded into Pokémon trading cards, recognizing their growing popularity among collectors of all ages. He also carries figurines, magazines, pictures, and autographs.
The Balance of Business and Passion
Balancing two businesses might seem challenging, but for Eric, both fulfill a core part of who he is. As an insurance agent, he enjoys building relationships and helping clients understand their coverage options. At collectibles shows, he applies the same approach—engaging with people, learning their interests, and helping them find what they need.
“It’s always cool to meet different people and help them complete their collections,” Eric says. “Talking to people is key. If you’re a dealer who engages with customers, you’ll have a good time and make sales.”
While his children may not share his collecting passion, his spouse, Tammy, surprised him with an unforgettable 50th birthday gift: a 1953 Topps Mickey Mantle card.
“I was pleasantly shocked,” Eric says of his favorite collectible memory.
A Hobby for Life
For Eric, collecting isn’t just a business—it’s a lifelong passion that provides fulfillment and community.
“I’ll be doing this forever,” he says. “It’s a great release, like therapy. When I’m in my shop, it’s peaceful—just me and the cards.”
Follow Eric’s memorabilia shop on Facebook and search: EJ’s Sportscards and Collectibles.