A series called “The Collectors” shines a spotlight on unique collections and their owners. Kelly Sage, known among retired Canadian major league baseball players as “the Canadian card guy,” has amassed a vast collection of baseball cards featuring Canadian players. Starting his collection in the early 1970s in Cardale, Man., Sage now estimates he owns between 30,000 to 35,000 distinct Canadian baseball cards out of his overall collection of around 50,000 cards.

After a hiatus from collecting, Sage reignited his passion by purchasing baseball card packs at a gas station, leading him to focus on collecting cards of Canadian-born players. He began reaching out to retired major leaguers for autographs and discovered that many did not have their own cards. This led to interactions with players like Denis Boucher, a former Toronto Blue Jay and Montreal Expo pitcher, where Sage presented his cards for signing.

Sage has established connections with various players, including Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins, who request cards to distribute at camps and clinics. His collection includes cards of approximately 190 out of the 260 Canadians who have played in the big leagues, with some players never having official cards produced. Building relationships with card shops across MLB cities, Sage acquires unique local sets featuring Canadian players distributed by police officers, firefighters, and newspapers.

Beyond collecting cards and autographs, Sage’s collection has expanded to include memorabilia, filling his home with baseball-themed items. His wife, Rhonda Sage, supports his passion, with each having their own space for hobbies. As the collection grows, Kelly Sage plans to eventually donate it to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.