In the dizzying world of sports memorabilia, where nostalgia and investment converge, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes has emerged as a shining star. His 2024 Topps Chrome Update MLB debut patch autograph card recently pocketed a staggering $1.11 million, including the buyer’s premium. If you’re wondering just how significant this sum is, consider that it makes Skenes’ card the most expensive modern baseball card ever sold that doesn’t feature the legendary Mike Trout. Trout’s rookie card still holds the crown, having sold for an eye-watering $3.9 million in August 2020. But what makes this Skenes card so beguiling?
First off, it’s a one-of-a-kind spectacle. The card carries not only an on-card autograph but also a patch that was a part of Skenes’ Pirates uniform during his major league debut. Crafted by Topps for the 2023 season, it debuted under MLB’s exclusive trading card license, making it an already rare piece. Before this sale, the most anyone had paid for a Skenes card was $150,000 in a private deal for an Anthony Volpe card, with Jackson Holiday’s MLB debut patch autograph card pulling in $198,000 at an auction not so long ago.
Digging deeper into the lore of Skenes, he’s more than just a name on a card. His accolades, which glitter like hidden treasures, feature starting pitcher for the National League’s All-Star Game, a Cy Young finalist, and crowned as the 2024 Rookie of the Year. No wonder then, that collecting his card feels like finding a piece of baseball Valhalla. Last Christmas, an 11-year-old Dodgers fan from Los Angeles got the ultimate surprise unwrapping a Skenes redemption card. The Pittsburgh Pirates, clearly keen on getting their mitts on this prized possession, even offered 30 years’ worth of season tickets, VIP meet-and-greets with Skenes, two signed jerseys, and exclusive peeks into PNC Park and their spring training facilities. Just to sweeten the pot, Skenes’ girlfriend, Livvy Dunne, generously proposed hosting this young card owner in her suite for a Pirates game. Talk show host Seth Meyers couldn’t resist jumping on the bandwagon, extending VIP viewing privileges just to admire the card.
Surprisingly or not, the family turned down these honeyed offers, instead opting for discussions with auction houses, ultimately cutting a deal with Fanatics Collect. Kevin Lenane, Fanatics’ Marketplace vice president, made a special mission out of retrieving the card, flying it to Texas for grading by PSA, and then back to New York. On his journey to California, he shared a clandestine nod with the pilot, who was naturally, curious about the precious cargo under his watch.
Such was the card’s allure that during Fanatics’ Super Bowl LIX party in February, encased and prominently displayed, it attracted a crowd as if it were an ancient artifact. Fanatics Collect CEO Nick Bell remarked on the surge of interest that ensued after the auction announcement, likening it to plotting the return of the prodigal son. Meanwhile, the 11-year-old fan, who harbors a keen admiration for Shohei Ohtani, now eagerly anticipates meeting Skenes. Fanatics is on deck to make this meet-up happen, adding another memorable chapter to the card’s story.
Proceeds from this eye-popping sale are set to invest in the young fan’s educational future, supporting not only his college dreams but also those of his brother. While a sliver of this fortune may trickle towards future collectibles (because once a collector always a collector!), the lion’s share will wisely underwrite education expenses. Kevin Lenane, while happy about the sales success, notes that the true legacy of this journey will be the opportunities it provides to the young fan, showcasing that beyond the dazzling numbers, some things in life remain simply priceless.
