Seattle Mariners memorabilia interest rises before Opening Day

SEATTLE — DJ’s Sportscards has been in business since 1988.

The popular spot on Duvall Avenue Northeast in Renton is open every day except Sunday.

Any day – the door keeps swinging open with sports fans and hobbyists of all ages.

The 2022 Seattle Mariners season sparked renewed interest in the hometown team from longtime and new fans alike.

For babies born last season, their entire lives revolved around a Mariners playoff team.

On the Saturday afternoon before opening day, DJ’s Sportscards was hopping with people of all ages in search of a variety of items.

The store not only offers sports cards, but also memorabilia, Pokémon trading cards, Legos, Beanie Babies, and other classic items.

Don Joss, better known as DJ, has been in the collectible business for more than 35 years.

He opened his shop at the age of 16.

Regulars who stop by or call the store are countless. Joss said he enjoys selling a $1 card to a kid just starting their collection just as much as he enjoys selling a $1000 item.

Joss said opening day attracts more people.

“I have a lot of Mariner fans that come, and every year there’s excitement at the start, but every year it’s kind of stalled,” Joss said. “To finally have a year where they came through and made the playoffs … we had the hottest rookie in baseball in Julio Rodriguez.”

One of the hottest cards out there is a Julio Rodriguez rookie card, by the rating standard.

“I have rookie tickets for $5 and there are tickets from him that are signed and limited that cost thousands of dollars,” Joss said.

Joss doesn’t just run his shop. He also has some special pieces from Mariners history, including in-game jerseys worn by Julio Cruz and Alvin Davis, two of his favorite Mariners.

If you’ve seen DJ’s Sportscards in Renton you know the square footage is covered in sports cards and other items. For that reason, Joss said, the store will be moving to a new location this summer just a few blocks from its current location.

He said people should stand by for an official moving date. You can call the shop at (425) 235-4357 with questions about moving or sports cards.