Sun Mar 23 12:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Record-Breaking Baseball Card Sells for $1.11 Million

**Pittsburgh, PA** – A rookie card of Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes has sold for a record-breaking $1.11 million, setting a new benchmark for modern baseball cards excluding Mike Trout. The 2024 Topps Chrome Update MLB debut patch autograph card, a one-of-one featuring a game-worn patch and Skenes’ autograph, was purchased by Dick’s Sporting Goods.

The purchase marks Dick’s entry into the sports card and memorabilia market. “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,” said Dick’s executive chairman Ed Stack. The card will be displayed at the Dick’s House of Sport store in Pittsburgh’s Ross Park.

The previous record for a comparable card was $150,000 for a Anthony Volpe card. The Skenes card’s high price reflects his exceptional 2024 season, which included an All-Star appearance, Cy Young nomination, and Rookie of the Year award.

The card was initially pulled from a pack by an 11-year-old Dodgers fan last Christmas. Despite offers from the Pirates (including 30 years of season tickets and a meet-and-greet with Skenes) and other celebrities, the family chose to sell the card through Fanatics Collect. The sale proceeds will be used primarily to fund the boys’ college educations, with a small portion allocated to future card collecting.

Fanatics Collect CEO Nick Bell stated that the Skenes card generated unprecedented interest, surpassing any other card sold on their platform. All proceeds from the sale will go towards Los Angeles fire relief efforts. The young collector, despite being a Shohei Ohtani fan, is looking forward to meeting Skenes, a meeting Fanatics plans to facilitate.

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