PITTSBURGH — It hasn’t even been a full year since Paul Skenes stepped into the major leagues, yet a part of his burgeoning legacy is already making waves. A patch from the No. 30 jersey he wore during his inaugural start with the Pittsburgh Pirates last May is now part of an extraordinary autographed baseball card. This highly sought-after card is slated to go under the hammer starting Thursday. It’s been garnering so much attention that it is being compared to the most coveted collectibles, akin to those of baseball legends like Honus Wagner, Mickey Mantle, and Ken Griffey Jr.
What’s unique about the Skenes card is its arrival in the social media age, allowing its fame to spread far and wide. “The coverage on this just in my opinion is so much bigger,” explained Nick Bell, the CEO of Fanatics Collect, the company orchestrating the upcoming two-week auction set to conclude on March 20. Though the exact value remains uncertain, Bell anticipates a sale of considerable magnitude.
Factors driving the card’s appeal include Skenes’ rising celebrity status, his relationship with LSU gymnast and social media influencer Livvy Dunne, and the remarkable offer from the Pirates that included 30 years of season tickets behind home plate at PNC Park. This bold offer has captivated both collectors and the general public.
“The amount of interest we’ve got in this card right now is kind of pretty unprecedented, honestly,” Bell emphasized. The card, originally discovered by an 11-year-old from Los Angeles as part of a Christmas gift pack, was handed over to Fanatics Collect after the young boy decided to pass on the Pirates’ tempting proposal. Since then, the company has been diligently handling the card with utmost care.
Paul Skenes, having briefly reunited with the card at the Super Bowl, expressed his surprise at the buzz surrounding it. “I never would have imagined how much hype there was around it, which is cool,” he reflected. Such attention seems to follow Skenes, who is the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, owing to his X factor.
Bell noted, “He’s obviously kind of broken through into the world of popular culture with his relationship with Livvy, etc.,” further stating, “And I think the story behind this card itself is just incredible.” Interest in Skenes has been steadily escalating since his noteworthy senior year at LSU in 2023, with a 2023 card featuring him selling for an impressive $63,000 last August.
This upcoming auction will have no reserve on the card, meaning even a $20 bid is possible. However, any low bids are unlikely to hold up given the card’s elevated prominence. “It just really has captured the imagination,” Bell commented, adding, “And I think it goes from being a truly innovative product. You have a great athlete with a huge career ahead of them and an incredible story to go along with it.”
In a generous gesture, Fanatics Collect has pledged to donate any proceeds from the card’s auction to the LA Fire Relief Fund, contributing to a worthy cause alongside this unique collectible’s journey.
