Highly-prized Paul Skenes rookie card sells for more than star pitcher's salary

In a jaw-dropping turn of events, a one-of-a-kind trading card featuring Pittsburgh Pirates sensation Paul Skenes went under the hammer early Friday morning, fetching a staggering $1.1 million. The auction, hosted by Fanatics Collect March Premier Auction, ran nearly three hours beyond its scheduled end, showcasing just how much collectors craved this piece of baseball history.

The 1/1 Rookie Debut Patch Autograph card, pulled by an 11-year-old boy from Los Angeles on Christmas morning, was destined for greatness from the get-go. Featuring the MLB debut patch Skenes wore during his first game on May 11, 2024, this card encapsulates the magic of a rookie pitcher who clocked 102 mph fastballs and struck out seven batters in just four innings.

Skenes, named the NL Rookie of the Year for 2024 and finishing third in the NL Cy Young Award voting, is set to earn $875,000 this season—a salary dwarfed by the card's sale price. The irony here is almost poetic: the rookie card now outranks the rookie himself in monetary value.

In an attempt to secure the card, the Pirates organization rolled out a king-sized offer. The package included two premium season tickets for three decades, a softball game on the field, a meet-and-greet with Skenes, and autographed jerseys. Adding a touch of flair, Skenes' girlfriend, LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne, threw in an exclusive game-day invitation to her personal suite—a dream come true for any young fan.

But the boy and his family had other plans. They turned down the tempting offer and opted to auction the card instead, with proceeds earmarked for L.A. Fire Relief funds and the family's college savings.

The card’s sale obliterated previous records for Rookie Debut cards, eclipsing Anthony Volpe’s $150,000 sale last year by nearly 10 times. It’s unknown who placed the winning bid, but the competition was fierce, with bids reaching $900,000 by Thursday and a total of 64 bids recorded.

Skenes’ rookie season stats speak for themselves. With a 1.96 ERA over 23 starts, he delivered the lowest ERA for any rookie with 20 or more starts since 1920. Among pitchers with at least 130 innings, Skenes’ figures were unmatched across the league this season.

It’s remarkable how a piece of cardboard can command such a price tag, but when the story behind it is drenched in the drama of baseball history, perhaps it’s worth every penny.