Step aside Mike Trout, there’s a new contender in the world of astronomical baseball card sales, and his name is Paul Skenes. Setting a new high-water mark for modern sports collectibles, Skenes’ 2024 Topps Chrome Update MLB debut patch autograph card has just fetched a jaw-dropping $1.11 million, including the buyer’s premium. This gargantuan figure not only places it atop the hierarchy of non-Trout modern baseball cards, but it also challenges the perception of value within the realm of sports collectibles.
This rare gem is a one-of-a-kind, boasting an on-card autograph and a patch straight from Skenes’ Pittsburgh Pirates debut uniform. Topps, having crafted such a rare beauty under MLB’s exclusive trading card license, has effectively cemented its legacy in the annals of collectible history with this sale. It’s not just the card’s price that has created waves, but the ripple effect it is expected to have on modern card collecting as well.
The lofty price tag dethrones the previous holder, which was attained by a private sale of an Anthony Volpe card at a mere $150,000—practically pocket change compared to Skenes’ masterpiece. Meanwhile, Jackson Holiday’s MLB debut patch autograph card stirred the pot by achieving $198,000 at an auction, not quite enough to hold a candle to the $1.11 million spectacle that is the Skenes card.
Paul Skenes has not only proven himself on the field as the National League’s All-Star starting pitcher, a Cy Young finalist, and the 2024 Rookie of the Year, but he has also caught the attention of avid collectors. Not too long ago, an innocent 11-year-old Dodgers fan from LA stirred the pot by pulling a redemption card for Skenes out of a Christmas gift. This single moment would kick the door wide open for what could only be described as a surreal tale of luck, negotiation, and supreme valuation.
The frenzied excitement sparked by this card reached the inner circles of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who apparently saw it fit to offer an enticing bounty to retrieve the card. Their offer list was as extensive as it was impressive: 30 years of season tickets, a meet and greet with Skenes himself, signed jerseys, and private tours of PNC Park and spring training facilities. Joining the party were Skenes’ girlfriend, Livvy Dunne, volunteering her suite for a Pirates game for the card’s redeemer, and late-night talk show host Seth Meyers, offering a VIP experience just to have a glance at this trading card wonder.
All those glamorous offers were graciously declined by the boy’s family, who instead chose a different route—an auction. Their decision to engage with auction houses kicked off in early January, culminating in the selection of Fanatics Collect for the sale. In a whirlwind romance with the majestic card, Fanatics’ Marketplace VP Kevin Lenane danced through a logistical ballet, flying to Texas to retrieve the card, having it graded by PSA, and then reuniting it with the family in New York before its grand auction.
During its cameo at Fanatics’ Super Bowl LIX party, the magnetic card stole the scene, enshrined within a protective case on a wall, much like a piece of revered art in a museum—a spectacle that turned heads and captured hearts.
Nick Bell, Fanatics Collect’s CEO, marveled at the attention the card commanded. He remarked on an unprecedented spike in interest following the auction announcement. Even the precocious 11-year-old, a fervent Shohei Ohtani admirer, is reportedly thrilled about the prospect of meeting Skenes, an event Fanatics vows to orchestrate.
The financial windfall from the sale isn’t just a gain for the bank accounts of the youthful cardholder. The funds have a higher aim: enriching the educational prospects for both the boy and his brother. The lion’s share of the proceeds has been dedicated towards their college savings, ensuring the 11-year-old future with an eye on pursuit of education, while a modest portion remains for future collectible adventures.
The tale of the Paul Skenes card is not just about the monumental figure it fetched, but a testament to the enigma and allure of modern sports collectibles. A newfound fascination with trading cards has emerged, one that transcends mere fandom and enters into an art form worthy of both appreciation and investment.