Pirates ‘Bummed’ after young collector, who scored a unique Paul Skenes card, rejects team offer
Earlier this week, a young collector pulled the coveted Paul Skenes debut patch card from the market.
An 11-year-old collector from Southern California, who killed a unique baseball card s Pittsburgh Pirates Star Pitcher, decided to reject a trade offer from an MLB franchise.
The card is featured in the 2024 Topps Chrome Update Set. On Friday, the trading card and collectible manufacturer confirmed that the collector “has decided to submit the card for auction with @FanaticsCollect,” Topps wrote In an Instagram post.
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Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws a pitch against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 17, 2024 in Chicago. (Nuccio di Uzzo/Getty Images)
The pirates offered a package of perks in exchange for the card. A pair of premium Pirates season tickets for three decades, a chance to play in a softball game on the field, a meet and greet with Skenes and autographed jerseys were among the team’s offerings.
Livvy Dunne explains the awkward moment with Paul Skenes after he won NL Rookie of the Year
LSU gymnast Livvy Dunnewho hangs out with Skenes, also offered an incentive to the cardholder.
Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne on the set of ESPN “College Gameday” at the LSU Quad on Nov. 9, 2024 in Baton Rouge. (LSU Athletics/University Images via Getty Images)
“Let’s raise the stakes … The person who finds this card can sit with me in a game of Pirates in my suite,” ” Dunne wrote In a post on her Instagram story.
While the collector wrote in an Entry magazine distributed by Topps that collecting the card was a “dream come true,” apparently the dream did not include spending time over the next 30 years attending games at PNC Park.
The Pirates admitted that they were “broken” after learning of the collector’s decision, but offered to have the fan sometime during the 2025 season.
A view of PNC Park as the Pittsburgh Pirates host the Philadelphia Phillies on June 21, 2024 in Pittsburgh. (Charles Leclaire/USA Today Sports)
“Well … we charged ourselves not to see you behind home plate for 30 seasons. But we’d still love to bring you to Pittsburgh for a special day at PNC Park this season,” the team Posted on x.
Fanatics Collect, which will auction the card in March, said it will donate its proceeds from the sale Fire Relief Funds In the Los Angeles area.
Skenes delivered a season to remember in 2024, finishing 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts. Before winning the National League Rookie of the Year award, he was named to the MLB All-Star team. Skenes was the top pick in the 2023 MLB draft and made his major league debut in May 2024.
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Rookies wore MLB debut Patches on their jerseys from 2023. Topps acquired the patches and created unique cards. The card could have quite a lot of value given the potentially bright future ahead of the 22-year-old, who finished third in NL Cy Young Award voting.
Skenes said at the weekend he had not considered the potential of signing a long-term deal to stay with the Pirates, saying his focus was on helping the Pirates take a step towards the 2025 clash. After that, he is eligible for free agency in the 2029 season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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