A one-of-a-kind Paul Skenes baseball card sells for $1.11 million via auction
A one-of-a-kind Paul Skenes baseball card has been sold for $1.11 million after a two-week auction.
There was a total of 64 bids on Skenes' debut patch card, which is autographed and contains a patch that was on the pitcher's jersey for his heralded major league debut in May.
DICK'S Sporting Goods announced shortly after the auction concluded that they had submitted the winning bid for the Pittsburgh Pirates star's MLB Debut Patch card.
The company, which is based in western Pennsylvania, said the card will go on display for the Pittsburgh community to see at the DICK'S House of Sport store.
Officials have not said when the card will go on display, adding details will be released at a later time.
According to the announcement, the card will be displayed in a new collectors' space at the store.
The store will feature a trading cards and memorabilia experience.
"Acquiring the Paul Skenes MLB Debut Patch card enables us to celebrate his incredible talent while giving our athletes a unique opportunity to experience a piece of baseball history up close. We're thrilled to bring this special card home and display it in our Pittsburgh House of Sport store where it can inspire the next generation of athletes and collectors," said Ed Stack, executive chairman of DICK'S.
The final price announced by Fanatics Collect late Thursday night included a 20% buyer's premium. Fanatics Collect plans to donate its proceeds from the sale to the LA Fire Relief Fund.
The 22-year-old Skenes is slated to make $875,000 while in the major leagues this year with the Pirates.
The card鈥檚 journey over the last few months has generated the kind of buzz typically reserved for iconic collectibles featuring Hall of Famers Honus Wagner, Mickey Mantle and Ken Griffey Jr.
The debut patch cards are featured in Topps Chrome Update. There were 91 in the first year in 2023 and 251 last year.
While the cards have attracted the attention of some young major leaguers and longtime collectors alike, most of the attention has been focused on Skenes' card in particular.
A combination of Skenes鈥� burgeoning stardom, the considerable reach of his girlfriend, LSU gymnast/influencer Livvy Dunne and a head-turning offer the Pirates made in hopes of securing the card fueled the hype for the one-of-one collectible.
It was claimed by an 11-year-old in the Los Angeles area after he discovered the redemption code for the Skenes card in a pack he received as part of a Christmas present. He declined the Pirates鈥� offer and instead turned over the card to Fanatics Collect, which has given it the 鈥渨hite glove鈥� service for the last two months.
Skenes was voted the National League Rookie of the Year after he went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA in 23 starts for Pittsburgh last year. The right-hander is slated to start for the Pirates on opening day next week.