Pirates ‘bummed’ after young collector, who scored one-of-a-kind Paul Skenes card, declines team’s offer
Earlier this week, a young collector pulled out an autographed MLB patch card signed by Paul Skenes From the market.
An 11-year-old collector from Southern California created a one-of-a-kind baseball card display Pittsburgh Pirates Star Pitcher, he decided to turn down a trade offer from an MLB franchise.
The card appeared in the Topps Chrome 2024 Update set. On Friday, the Trading Card and Collectible Manufacturer confirmed that the collector “selected to send the card to auction with fanaticsCollect instead,” Topps Books In an Instagram post.
Click here for more sports coverage on FoxNews.com
Paul Skanes of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws a pitch against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 17, 2024, in Chicago. (Nuccio Dinuzzo/Getty Images)
The pirates offered a package of perks in exchange for the card. There was an opportunity to play a grunt game on the field, and a meet-and-greet with signed skins and jerseys was among the offerings from the team.
Livvy Dunne explains an awkward moment with Paul Skenes after he won NL Rookie of the Year
LSU Gymnast Livvy Dunnedating back to Skins, also provided an incentive to the card owner.
Paul Skanes and Olivia Dunn on the set of ESPN’s “College Gameday” at LSU Quad 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 at a game of Pirates in my suite,” Don wrote In an Instagram Story post.
While Jammeh wrote in a journal entry Topps shared that catching the card was a “dream come true,” the dream apparently didn’t include spending time over the next 30 years attending games at PNC Park.
The Buccaneers admitted they were “hurt” after learning of Collector’s decision but offered to have fans at a game sometime during the 2025 season.
A view of PNC Park as the Pittsburgh Pirates host the Philadelphia Phillies June 21, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (Charles Leclaire/USA Today Sports)
“Well…we’re bummed that we won’t see you behind home plate for 30 seasons. But we still would love to bring you to Pittsburgh for a special day at PNC Park this season,” the team said. Posted on x.
Fanatics Collecting, which will handle the card auction in March, said it will donate its proceeds from the sale to Fire relief funds In the Los Angeles area.
Skines delivered a season to remember in 2024, finishing 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts. Before winning National League Rookie of the Year, he was named to the MLB All-Star team. Skanes was the top pick in the 2023 MLB Draft and made his major league debut in May 2024.
Click here to get the Fox News app
He wore juniors MLB debut patches on their shirts since 2023. Topps acquired the patches and created the unique cards. The card could carry a very high value considering the potentially bright future of the 22-year-old, who finished third in NL Cy Young Award voting.
Skins said over the weekend that he has not considered the possibilities of signing a long-term contract to remain with the Buccaneers, saying instead his focus is on helping the Buccaneers take a step toward contention in 2025. He is eligible for free agency after the 2029 season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital’s Sports coverage on xAnd subscribe to Fox News Sports Hold Newsletter.
