I started out with cards, and a card shop I patronized some years back sometimes offered non-card memorabilia such as vintage scorecards, programs, pinback buttons, pennants, ticket stubs, etc. Before long, I started to like that stuff more than cards, mostly because those items were more varied in type and appearance and many were part of the game itself because they were part of the fan experience at stadiums. I find a lot of that conveys more of the feel of the experience and history of the game. If you want to branch out beyond cards, I would suggest you start with items connected with a particular player or team and get a sampling of the types of items that strike you as the most interesting and appealing. Go with your gut and what makes you smile. To start with, you don't have to sink a lot of cash into finding some neat items that will be new to you but common to more advanced collectors. Some of the coolest items can be very affordable just because they're not very rare.
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