Chuck Raborn on collecting, Louisiana history and Chuck’s Field of Dreams
Chuck’s Field of Dreams in Albany, Louisiana, brings sports cards, Louisiana memorabilia and family history together under one roof. In this POP nakaro video interview, owner Chuck Raborn shares how buying inexpensive packs as a child became a career in sports card collecting and a family business. His shop features baseball cards, LSU collectibles, New Orleans Saints memorabilia and displays celebrating Louisiana sports, music and entertainment.
Raborn began collecting in 1986, buying packs at gas stations before working at Hammond-area card shops through middle and high school. That experience eventually led him to open his own store and later move to Albany, building on the same ground where his grandfather once operated a business.
Inside, his personal collection includes Pete Maravich and Billy Cannon memorabilia, vintage Saints items, Pontchartrain Beach artifacts and Louis Armstrong pieces—objects chosen for their connections to Louisiana’s history.
For Raborn, a classic sports card can hold the same appeal as a piece of art. He discusses the recognizable imagery of a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle or a 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth, explaining why collectors value the opportunity to own and display a piece of sports history.
The conversation also follows the changing card market, from the wax packs and card shops of the 1980s and ’90s to modern autographs, graded cards, online breaks and one-of-one releases. Through those changes, Raborn’s advice remains rooted in enjoyment: collect favorite players, explore the hobby and appreciate the experience of opening packs.
Family remains central to Chuck’s Field of Dreams. Raborn recalls opening the store when his son was a year old and later welcoming him back into the business after college. With help from his wife and daughters, the shop and its card shows continue a family tradition while introducing new collectors to sports cards, Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering.
