In an era where sports memorabilia continues to mesmerize fans and collectors alike, a recent sale has captured headlines and nearly emptied wallets. The star of this particular show: a 2024 Topps Chrome Update MLB debut patch autograph card. The player in the spotlight: Pittsburgh Pirates’ own ace, Paul Skenes. This coveted piece of finely crafted cardboard artistry fetched an astonishing $1.11 million on a sleepily unsuspecting Thursday, including the buyer’s premium. It’s not just a price tag; it’s a headline and a record-breaking achievement that places Skenes’ card right behind the iconic Mike Trout’s rookie card sold for a jaw-dropping $3.9 million back in August 2020.
For those keeping score at home, this is the most expensive modern baseball card not graced by Trout’s likeness, placing Skenes in the high-value league of his own. Despite the wonders this card contains, the identity of the eager collector remains shrouded in secrecy, with the sale conducted through that well-known colossus of collectibles, Fanatics Collect.
What makes Paul Skenes’ card a grail among cardboard connoisseurs? Let’s delve into the intricacies beneath the acetate gloss. The card boasts an immaculate on-card autograph (none of that sticker business, mind you) and prominently features a patch skillfully removed from Skenes’ Pirates jersey. This isn’t just any jersey—it’s the one he wore during his major league debut, lending it an air of authenticity and history. The year 2023 was when Topps, in cooperation with MLB’s exclusive trading card license, ventured to craft this bit of collectors’ candy, now unsolved for treasure.
Until now, the whopper of all sales sat with Anthony Volpe’s card tipping the scales at $150,000, while Jackson Holiday’s MLB debut patch autograph sauntered away with $198,000 during a recent auction. One thing is clear: Skenes’ card is setting a whole new world order for modern baseball collectibles.
The rise of Skenes isn’t unsung; he has garnered a heap of accolades and titles. He was the National League’s All-Star Game starting pitcher, a Cy Young finalist, and claimed the title of 2024 Rookie of the Year. Such accolades have thrust him into the limelight of collectors worldwide, akin to how treasure hunters chase down whispers of hidden fortunes. Last Christmas, an unassuming 11-year-old Dodgers supporter from Los Angeles unwrapped this jackpot of a Skenes redemption card. The rumor mill quickly spun tales of the Pirates rolling out the red carpet to shepherd this card into their coffers. The carrot dangled—no less than 30 years of season tickets, meet-and-greets with Skenes, two signed jerseys, and private tours for him and his family. Not to be outdone, Skenes’ girlfriend Livvy Dunne extended an invitation for a suite experience, while talk-show elder statesman Seth Meyers offered a VIP experience solely to glance at this golden goose.
Intriguingly, the family of the card’s discoverer resisted these lavish offerings, opting instead for a dance with the auction houses, finally swooping into the arms of Fanatics Collect. Pivotal to the transition was Kevin Lenane, Fanatics’ Marketplace vice president, who personally voyaged to the Lone Star State to pluck the card from Topps’ vaults, eschew the regular post, and ensure it was pampered with PSA grading, ultimately delivering it to New York. It’s said during his travels, intrigue piqued conversation even at 30,000 feet.
Fanatics knew what they were doing at Super Bowl LIX, rolling out the royal treatment for displaying the card amid a wall display that equated its value to that of fine art—a notion CEO Nick Bell broadcasted loudly. Bell himself noted a surge in interest and buzz across social channels, as the simmering anticipation for the auction roamed like wildfire. Meanwhile, our young Dodgers enthusiast, who holds an admiration for Shohei Ohtani, eagerly anticipates a summit with Skenes himself, choreographed by Fanatics.
For the mastermind family behind young master collector, the proceeds from this historical sale are draped with pragmatism. It’s reported that the lion’s share will seed college savings for the lad and his sibling, earmarking a scholarly future over a decadent spree. Lenane confirmed a sliver may sashay toward acquiring future collectibles, each with its own story, but mostly, these funds are destined for scholarships and school supply lists. Such allocations remind us that while cardboard baseball treasures are valuable, education remains priceless.