In a display of enthusiasm typically reserved for a Jackson Pollock at an art auction or a vintage Ferrari on the auction block, Paul Skenes—the latest darling of the MLB’s cardboard stage—has hit a financial home run. His 2024 Topps Chrome Update MLB debut patch autograph card was sold for a staggering $1.11 million, inclusive of the buyer’s nod to premium. In doing so, Skenes has achieved what seems impossible, standing exceedingly tall among modern-day giants of the sports card universe not named Mike Trout.
This singular sale, conducted through Fanatics Collect, now firmly positions Skenes’ card as the highest valued piece outside the shadow of Trout’s mythical rookie card which had fetched an eye-watering $3.9 million back in August 2020. The mystery buyer’s identity remains behind a curtain, leaving many to speculate what this enthusiast’s hold or goal might be—but, as with art, the pricelessness is sometimes in the eye of the beholder.
Skenes’ card is adorned with an autograph and a distinct patch from his Pirates uniform, an ornament of his major league entrance. Designed by Topps under the exclusive MLB trading card license for the 2023 season, this card has made a leap from highly desirable to an outright phenomenon in the collectibles market. Before this luminary rise, the top dog in this parallel world of paper was an Anthony Volpe card going for $150,000, while Jackson Holliday’s similarly prestigious debut card had marked just $198,000 prior to Skenes eclipsing them.
Skenes himself—recently gracing the baseball world as the National League’s All-Star starting pitcher, a Cy Young Award finalist, and the 2024 Rookie of the Year—garnered collector intrigue akin to a rare gem. The allure of his on-the-field prowess has transposed itself into the realm of cardboard, where fans and collectors clash for a piece of history.
One can’t overlook the riveting tale behind the sale. Last Christmas, a young Dodgers fan received this treasured card as a gift, pulling it from a redemption card and propelling a flurry of interest. The Pittsburgh Pirates themselves put forth an enticing bounty including three decades of season tickets, personal meet-and-greets with Skenes, memorabilia, and even private tours. Skenes’ superstar partner, Livvy Dunne, sweetened the pot with VIP game experiences, while comedian Seth Meyers added a playful touch by offering a front-row seat just to gaze at the card.
The family of this youthful recipient, however, opted not for immediate gratification but a long-term vision. Forgoing the bounty, they entered negotiations with auction houses, settling finally with Fanatics Collect. The transaction involved some cloak-and-dagger touches, with Fanatics’ Kevin Lenane jetting to Texas for a card hand-off before whisking it away for grading by PSA and finale preparations in New York. Intrigued figures shadowed their movements, akin to guardians transporting invaluable relics; even pilots inquired about the valuable cargo mid-air.
Adding to its allure, Fanatics showcased the card as a centerpiece at February’s Super Bowl LIX party, an exhibit which garnered attendance comparable to an unveiling of a noted masterpiece. Nick Bell, CEO of Fanatics Collect, observed an onslaught of attention—phone lines aglow and social media spaces buzzing—revealing the impending auction’s magnetic draw.
In a twist of delightful narrative resolution, the proceeds from this sale don’t simply pocket enrich. Instead, they’re directed towards something timeless: education. The family has earmarked the bulk of the earnings for boosting college savings, ensuring the card’s value morphs into opportunity for the 11-year-old fan and his brother. A modest slice might fund collectibles yet unimaginably uncovered, but education remains the focus, using a cardboard fortune to bolster futures.
Skenes’ card has not only claimed a record-breaking sale but also a place in the storied chronicles of sports memorabilia. A piece of glossy redemption that began in youthful hands is now bound for educational foundations, with ripples that extend far beyond its acrylic case. The card stands as a reminder of baseball’s timeless magic, the allure of autographs and patches, and the wild, often whimsical paths they traverse in shaping careers and futures alike.
