Shohei Ohtani’s legendary status in baseball was further cemented on Tuesday night as one of his most coveted rookie cards sold for a record-breaking $336,000 at the “Holy Grails” auction hosted by Harlem Parish.
The sale not only shattered the previous high for Ohtani cards but also set a new record for any modern baseball card sold in 2024.
The inaugural trading card auction by Sotheby’s and Fanatics kicked off with a bang, featuring the hottest name in sports. Fresh off his historic 50th home run and the establishment of the 50-50 club, Ohtani’s autograph added an extra layer of value to his already prized card.
Ohtani’s autographed 1/1 2018 Topps Chrome Sapphire Superfractor had already matched the previous record sale of $312,000, set by his autographed Bowman Chrome Red Refractor in 2021, before the live auction even began.
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The Superfractor had remained elusive to the public since October 2021, when it last sold for $62,730. Its previous auction appearance in 2019 resulted in a comparatively modest sale of $4,800.
The market for Ohtani’s cards has been steadily heating up as excitement surrounding his unprecedented season reached a fever pitch. However, it wasn’t until Tuesday evening that collectors had the opportunity to witness a truly groundbreaking sale of one of his most coveted cards.
The December 2018 graded card, possibly from a $199.99 set of 2018 Topps Chrome Sapphire Edition Baseball, followed Ohtani’s Rookie of the Year performance. Even then, as the world marveled at the two-way star’s extraordinary talent, no one could have anticipated the extraordinary heights he would reach in the years to come.
FAQs
Shohei Ohtani’s rookie card sale set a new record, becoming the most expensive modern baseball card sold in 2024. It also surpassed the previous record for Ohtani cards.
With Ohtani’s success and popularity, his card market should remain robust. As long as he continues to perform at a high level, his cards are likely to appreciate.
