A rare baseball card showcasing Paul Skenes has been sold for an impressive $1.11 million, acquired by Dick’s Sporting Goods following a two-week auction filled with eager bidders.
The card, notable for being autographed and containing a patch from the jersey worn by Skenes during his much-anticipated major league debut in May, received a total of 64 bids.
Notably, the final amount, declared late Thursday, included a 20% buyer’s premium.
Fanatics Collect, overseeing the sale, announced plans to donate their proceeds to the LA Fire Relief Fund.
This year, at age 22, Skenes is expected to earn $875,000 playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the major leagues.
Dick’s Sporting Goods, which is headquartered in Pittsburgh, intends to showcase this unique card at its House of Sport store in Ross Park, located in the suburbs of Pittsburgh.
Ed Stack, the executive chairman of Dick’s, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition.
“Obtaining the Paul Skenes MLB debut patch card allows us to honor his extraordinary talent and provide an unmatched opportunity for athletes to witness a piece of baseball history,” Stack stated.
“We’re excited to display this special card in Pittsburgh’s House of Sport store to inspire upcoming generations of athletes and collectors.”
The card has garnered significant interest, reminiscent of legendary collectibles associated with baseball icons such as Honus Wagner, Mickey Mantle, and Ken Griffey Jr.
Debut patch cards were initially featured in Topps Chrome Update, with 91 cards in its inaugural year in 2023 and 251 last year.
Although the series drew attention from both seasoned collectors and budding major leaguers, Skenes’ card, in particular, has stood out.
The buzz surrounding Skenes’ card can be attributed to his rising fame, the extensive following of his partner, LSU gymnast and influencer Livvy Dunne, and an enticing proposal from the Pirates to secure the collectible.
Initially found by an 11-year-old from Los Angeles who discovered the card’s redemption code in a Christmas gift pack, the card was eventually entrusted to Fanatics Collect after the young collector declined the Pirates’ offer.
Celebrated for his outstanding rookie year, Skenes was voted the National League Rookie of the Year, earning recognition after delivering an 11-3 season with a 1.96 ERA in 23 starts for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The right-handed pitcher is expected to start on opening day for the Pirates next week.