In a surprising turn of events, an 11-year-old collector from Los Angeles has declined a tempting offer from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for a highly coveted rookie card featuring National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes.
The Pirates, eager to acquire the unique card featuring Skenes’ autograph and a patch from a game-worn jersey, had assembled an enticing package. It included 30 years of season tickets behind home plate at PNC Park, the opportunity to play a softball game on the field, and even an invitation from Skenes’ girlfriend, LSU gymnast and influencer Livvy Dunne, to attend a game with her in a luxury suite.
Despite the allure of these enticing perks, the young collector, whose journal entry shared by Topps revealed the card as a “dream come true,” ultimately decided to put the card up for auction instead.
“We were bummed,” the Pirates posted on X, acknowledging the collector’s decision. “But we offered to have the fan at a game sometime during the 2025 season.”
Fanatics Collect will handle the auction of the card in March, with proceeds benefiting fire relief funds in the Los Angeles area.
The card’s potential value is significant, considering Skenes’ meteoric rise to stardom. The 22-year-old, selected first overall in the 2023 MLB Draft, enjoyed an exceptional rookie season, finishing third in NL Cy Young Award voting with an impressive 11-3 record and a 1.96 ERA. His selection as the NL’s starting pitcher in the All-Star Game after just 11 starts solidified his status as one of the most exciting young talents in the league.
This unexpected turn of events highlights the unique intersection of sports, collecting, and personal value. While the Pirates’ offer was undoubtedly tempting, the young collector ultimately chose a path that aligned with his own personal goals and priorities.