The distinctive trading card of rookie pitcher, Paul Skenes, whose 1/1 debut patch card is considered a rare gem by many, was tempting enough to warrant an enticing offer from the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, the youthful collector, a 11-year-old boy from Los Angeles, along with his family denied the doozy deal put forward by the club. The trade between the card and a package that included two season-long seat reservations near the home plate at PNC Park for three decades, an opportunity to personally meet Paul Skenes, as well as a couple of Skenes’ signed jerseys among other perks, was declined. Instead, Topps revealed that the card was destined for an auction block, bypassing the proposed exchange with the Pirates.
Following the refusal of their trade, the Pirates expressed faint disappointment but maintained their enthusiasm. This sentiment was encapsulated in a released statement that read ‘Although we’re disheartened at not spotting you behind the home plate for the upcoming 30 seasons. We’d still wish to treat you to a remarkable day at PNC Park this season’. The rocky decision by the family of the young fan, however, implied that they had sights set on what the auction could potentially return on the trading card.
Adding a unique touch to the trading card is a fragment of the sleeve patch from Skene’s inaugural major league game alongside his signature. This special card is set to be set loose on the auction market in the ensuing month of March. While the young fan chose to bypass the Pirates’ bid for the card, it did not result in a complete severance of their potential relationship with the club.
Despite the snubbed exchange proposal, Bob Nutting, the owner of the Pirates expressed his continued interest in arranging a meet-and-greet event. It was mentioned that even without the card trade, Nutting still wished to facilitate an interaction between the young enthusiast, Skenes, and the rest of the Pirates team. This remained part of his agenda even after the unforeseen decision taken by the fan to keep hold of the coveted card.
In an official statement, Nutting expressed his views, stating ‘Our initial plan of offering a bounty of sorts had sprouted from an avenue of fun. However, the main takeaway from this event remains that we’re wholly ecstatic for the youngster and his family.’ He also shared his admiration for the heartwarming story of the card’s acquisition, further referring to it as the real essence of the game of baseball.
Emphasising the familial essence of the sport, Bob stated, ‘How he came by the card on a special Christmas morning can only be described as magical. It’s the family spirit this game fosters that truly resonates with us. Without the trading card’s presence, we would still love to host the young admirer and his family, going forth with a meeting between them, Paul, and his teammates, at our home ground or when we make our visit to L.A.’
Supplied by Topps, excerpts from the young collector’s diary revealed the whirlwind journey with the rare card, starting from Christmas morning. The unforgettable moment was described candidly as a realisation of a dream. And thus, the tale of pulling the cherished Paul Skenes 1/1 debut patch card from a pack was unrolled.
The entry read, ‘The revelation dates back to November 13, 2024, when the 2024 Chrome Update was launched by Topps. The $200 list price may seem steep, but given the prodigious rookies and players included, it felt reasonable. Consequently, I unsettled my mom to get it for Christmas. My wonderful parents eventually agreed, causing an upsurge of excitement when they revealed their decision after I returned from school.
Continuing his journey, the young collector wrote, ‘Upon reaching the magical morning of Christmas… I startled awake at 4 in the morning, roused my brother and both of us waited until 6:30 a.m. to arouse our parents. The first gift we tore into was the hobby box. After opening two more packs, there it was—the long-awaited Paul Skenes redemption card, much to the stunned surprise of my brother, dad, and I.
The concluding part of his entry expressed pure joy, ‘Although my mom shared in our excitement, her unfamiliarity with the trading card culture didn’t allow her to fully comprehend the gravity of what we had just discovered. Nonetheless, the next moments were filled with adrenaline driven by unfathomable happiness, as I bounced around the room in joy.’