In an astonishing turn of events, an 11-year-old collector from Los Angeles has declined the Pittsburgh Pirates’ jaw-dropping trade package for the one-of-a-kind Paul Skenes rookie card. The card, which features Skenes’ autograph and a patch from his game-worn jersey, is now set to hit the auction block in March, leaving baseball fans and collectors alike in anticipation.
The Pirates’ Unprecedented Offer
The Pittsburgh Pirates pulled out all the stops in their attempt to secure the ultra-rare Paul Skenes card. Their offer included:
- 30 years of season tickets behind home plate at PNC Park
- A meet and greet with Paul Skenes himself
- A chance to play a softball game on the field at PNC Park
- An opportunity for the collector to take in a game with Skenes’ girlfriend, influencer Livvy Dunne, in a luxury suite
Despite this once-in-a-lifetime offer, the young collector chose to take his chances at auction, leaving the Pirates organization “bummed” but still hopeful for a chance to host the fan at a game during the 2025 season.
A Dream Come True
In a touching series of journal entries shared by Topps, the 11-year-old collector expressed his disbelief and gratitude for pulling the coveted Paul Skenes card. He described the moment as a “dream come true” but ultimately decided against accepting the Pirates’ generous offer.
The 11-year-old collector who pulled the Paul Skenes 1/1 Debut Patch card just shared his journal entries… It’s an absolute MUST-READ 🥹❤️
– Topps (@Topps) January 24, 2025
Skenes’ Stellar Rookie Season
The immense value of the Paul Skenes rookie card is a testament to the 22-year-old’s incredible debut season. As the first overall pick in the 2023 amateur draft, Skenes wasted no time making his mark on the majors:
- Made his MLB debut in May 2024
- Selected as the NL’s starting pitcher in the All-Star Game after just 11 starts
- Finished the season with an 11-3 record and a 1.96 ERA
- Placed third in NL Cy Young Award voting
With such an impressive start to his career, it’s no wonder the Paul Skenes rookie card is generating so much buzz among collectors and fans alike.
The Auction of a Lifetime
As the Paul Skenes card heads to auction in March, the sports memorabilia world is eagerly waiting to see just how high the bidding will go. Fanatics Collect, the company handling the auction, has announced that its proceeds from the sale will be donated to fire relief funds in the Los Angeles area, adding an extra layer of significance to this already remarkable story.
One thing is for certain: the lucky winner of this one-of-a-kind piece of baseball history will be adding a true treasure to their collection. As for Paul Skenes himself, he remains focused on helping the Pirates take the next step toward contention in the 2025 season, with free agency still a distant thought.
The saga of the 11-year-old collector and the Paul Skenes rookie card is a testament to the enduring magic of sports and the power of a single moment to capture the hearts and imaginations of fans everywhere. As this incredible story continues to unfold, one can only wonder what other surprises the world of sports collectibles has in store.
