Keep basketball, baseball and football cards in a recipe box, and file under teams and players. Plastic zipper bags or pull-apart bags that sheets, curtains, tablecloths and underwear often come in are useful in making a holder for your cards. This protects them when you want to take them out of the recipe box to look at. The plastic used in the above examples is much thicker and stronger than a thin, plastic grocery bag.
Put a card on the plastic and trace the card a half a fingernail distance away so you don’t mark the card with ink, and so you’ll have extra room to sew the plastic closed. This will also give the card extra room to fit in so it will easily slide in and out. Since the plastic will have two sides, cut both sides out at the same time instead of opening the bag up and cutting the one layer. Cut the plastic card holder out. Use the card holder as a mold to cut more holders from the plastic, and as a mold for other plastic pieces that you may want to cut a card holder from. Save the mold for future card holders.
Thread an embroidery needle, and sew the sides shut, all but one. One of the short sides should be the one left open. Sew close to the edges. If you sew too far in, you won’t be able to slide a card in. When finished, slip a card in the open end. Sew the end closed or leave it open. Sew the end closed if you don’t want to handle or touch the card. Leave the end open if you want to slide the card out to look at it every now and then, or if you want to add more cards in the same holder at a later time. Place the holder in the box.
On dividers, write each player’s name and file in alphabetical order. File teams in alphabetical order and then follow with players under each team.
Protecting your cards not only in a recipe box, but in something protective, is essential in keeping each card in its tops condition. When you or others handle cards, unprotected fingers can smear oil on them, which may hurt or devalue the cards.