Young Collector Declines Tempting Offer for Rare Paul Skenes Card
In a surprising turn of events, an 11-year-old collector from the Los Angeles area has made headlines by turning down a remarkable trade offer from the Pittsburgh Pirates. The young enthusiast had the good fortune of pulling a one-of-a-kind baseball card featuring National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes, complete with his autograph and a patch from a game-worn jersey.
On Friday, Topps, the renowned trading card company, announced that the young collector had declined the Pirates’ enticing offer. Instead, the decision was made to put the card up for auction, a move that has sparked considerable interest and conversation among sports fans and collectors alike.
๐๐’๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐: The 11-year-old collector who pulled the Paul Skenes 1/1 Debut Patch card has DECLINED the Pirates’ offer.
The Pirates offer included:
– Two Pirates season tickets behind home plate for the next 30 years
– Meet & Greet with Paul Skenes
– Two Paul Skenes… pic.twitter.com/oRBhhD647jโ Topps (@Topps) January 24, 2025
The Pirates’ offer was nothing short of extraordinary. It included 30 years’ worth of season tickets behind home plate at PNC Park, a chance to play a softball game on the field, and a meet-and-greet with Paul Skenes himself. Additionally, Skenes’ girlfriend, LSU gymnast and influencer Livvy Dunne, sweetened the deal by offering the card’s owner the opportunity to enjoy a game with her in a luxury suite at the ballpark during one of Skenes’ starts.
Despite the allure of these offers, the young collector had other plans. In a journal entry shared by Topps, the collector described nabbing the card as a “dream come true.” However, it seems that dream did not include spending the next three decades attending games at PNC Park.
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 ๐ฅนโค๏ธ pic.twitter.com/PldkJMS06W
โ Topps (@Topps) January 24, 2025
Following the decision, the Pirates expressed their disappointment on X, stating they were “bummed” but extended an invitation for the young fan to attend a game during the 2025 season. This gesture highlights the team’s appreciation for their fans, even when negotiations don’t go as planned.
Fanatics Collect, the company responsible for auctioning the card in March, announced that it would donate its proceeds from the sale to fire relief funds in the Los Angeles area. This charitable move adds another layer of interest to the upcoming auction, as collectors and fans alike will be eager to see how much the card fetches.
The card’s value is expected to be significant, given the promising future of the 22-year-old Paul Skenes. Skenes had an outstanding rookie season, finishing third in NL Cy Young Award voting. The No. 1 pick in the 2023 amateur draft made his major league debut in May and quickly made a name for himself. He was selected as the NL’s starting pitcher in the All-Star Game after only 11 starts and concluded the season with an impressive 11-3 record and a 1.96 ERA in 23 games.
As for Skenes, he recently stated that he hasn’t given much thought to signing a long-term contract to remain in Pittsburgh. Instead, his focus is on helping the Pirates take a step toward contending in 2025. Skenes is eligible for free agency after the 2029 season, leaving fans to speculate about his future with the team.
In the world of sports memorabilia, stories like this one capture the imagination and highlight the passion of collectors, regardless of age. The young collector’s decision to auction the card rather than accept the Pirates’ offer is a testament to the unpredictable nature of the hobby and the excitement it brings to fans worldwide.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
