In the world of sports card collecting, two card-grading companies, PSA and ISA, have maintained their stronghold in the industry in 2023. Recently, PSA released a list of the top 10 athletes and cards based on submissions for the year, showcasing the continued popularity of certain players and their collectible cards.
Leading the pack is MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani, who made headlines with his record-breaking $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ohtani’s cards, especially his 2018 Topps #700 Pitching card, have become highly sought after by collectors, making him the most submitted athlete to PSA this year. His popularity is further evident as he holds four spots in the top 10 most graded sports cards of 2023.
While Ohtani takes the spotlight, the legendary Michael Jordan remains a prominent figure in card submissions. Collectors still flock to his 1990 Fleer card, considering it a must-have for any serious sports card collection.
The top 10 athletes in card submissions for 2023, according to PSA, are as follows:
– Shohei Ohtani
– Michael Jordan
– Julio Rodriguez
– Trevor Lawrence
– Joe Burrow
– Tom Brady
– Kobe Bryant
– LeBron James
– Ken Griffey Jr.
– Patrick Mahomes II
When it comes to the most graded sports cards of 2023, Ohtani continues to dominate with several of his cards making the list. Notable mentions include the 2018 Bowman #49 and the 2018 Topps Update US285. Joining him are other iconic cards like the 2022 Bowman Chrome Prospects BCP50 Elly De La Cruz and the 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr. Star Rookie.
In the football card category, a couple of rising stars have captured collectors’ attention. Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields has seen an impressive 119% increase in card submissions compared to 2022. Following closely behind is Trevor Lawrence, the talented quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars, with a 98% increase. Interestingly, Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce has also experienced significant growth in submissions, possibly fueled by his high-profile relationship with singer Taylor Swift.
Rookie cards continue to dominate the grading submissions across all sports. In basketball, Paolo Banchero and Victor Wembanyama’s rookie cards have been among the most submitted. On the football field, Kenny Pickett and Brock Purdy lead the pack in terms of rookie card popularity. Meanwhile, in the world of baseball, Elly De La Cruz and Adley Rutschman’s rookie cards have taken the spotlight as the most submitted.
As the sports card industry continues to thrive, collectors eagerly pursue the most sought-after cards of their favorite athletes. From the dominance of Shohei Ohtani to the rising stars like Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence, the world of sports card collecting is as vibrant as ever in 2023.
