An 11-year-old from Los Angeles struck gold recently when he pulled the highly coveted 2024 Topps Chrome Update Rookie Debut Patch one-of-one autographed card for Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes.
Man, that’s a mouthful to say.
The card, which features the patch from Skenes’ MLB debut uniform, has been the subject of a massive hunt since its release in November.
The find has sparked significant interest due to the Pirates’ unique offer for the card. How valuable is the card to Skenes’ team?
The Pittsburgh offer includes two season tickets behind home plate at PNC Park for the next 30 years, a private tour of their Spring Training facilities, and other exclusive experiences. It has been one of the most talked-about items in the sports memorabilia world.
To the lucky person who finds this card… We’d love to bring this card home to PNC Park to share with all Buccos fans.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) November 15, 2024
Here’s our offer: https://t.co/qSDgZg3C8p pic.twitter.com/efNGhjidQ4
Paul Skenes’ Rookie Card Found!
The Rookie Debut Patch cards, introduced by Topps last year, have become a significant innovation in baseball card collecting. Each card includes an actual patch from the player’s uniform during their first MLB game, signed by the player.
Skenes, who emerged as a top prospect after being drafted first overall in 2023 and had a stellar rookie season with a 1.96 ERA, has seen his memorabilia become highly sought after by collectors.
How great is it that a kid scored this thing instead of a professional card collector?
Sweetening the pot a little more is the fact that Skenes’ girlfriend, LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne, added to the bounty by offering whoever finds the card a chance to sit with her in a suite during a Pirates game.
Whatever money offers you may be getting, son, take the Livvy sweepstakes. You’ll understand someday.
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Big Decisions For This Young Man
All kidding aside, after finding the Paul Skenes rookie card, the Pirates reiterated their offer to the finder.
“Our offer still stands… you know where to find us,” the team wrote on Instagram.
Frankly, though, you might want to consider upping the ante. Season tickets for 30 years only get this kid to the age of 41. Change the offer to a lifetime guarantee.
It’ll probably be at least 30 years before the Pirates win a pennant. Oh, and one more minor problem: the kid lives in LA. What, is he supposed to have his family relocate just to take the team up on their offer? And why would they leave Dodger Town to go watch the Pirates?
Auction houses, according to TMZ, have suggested the value of the Paul Skenes rookie card “could net a life-changing fortune.”
Take the fortune, kid.
With this card’s discovery, the chase for the remaining 60 of the 251 Rookie Debut Patch cards from the 2024 set continues. But none are likely to net as much interest as Skenes’.
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