An 11-year-old baseball card collector from Los Angeles has declined a unique trade offer from the Pittsburgh Pirates for a one-of-a-kind card featuring National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes. The card includes Skenes’ autograph and a patch from a game-worn jersey, making it a highly sought-after collectible.
Topps announced on Friday that the young collector has decided to auction the card rather than accept the Pirates’ offer, which included 30 years of season tickets behind home plate at PNC Park and a chance to play a softball game on the field. Additionally, Skenes’ girlfriend, LSU gymnast and influencer Livvy Dunne, sweetened the deal by offering the fan a luxury suite experience during one of Skenes’ starts.
In a journal entry shared by Topps, the collector described obtaining the card as a “dream come true,” but evidently, that dream didn’t include decades of Pirates games in Pittsburgh. The Pirates expressed their disappointment on X, saying they were “bummed” by the decision but extended an invitation for the fan to attend a game during the 2025 season.
Fanatics Collect, the company handling the auction in March, has pledged to donate proceeds from the sale to fire relief efforts in the Los Angeles area. Given Skenes’ promising future, the card is expected to fetch a significant sum.
Skenes, the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, had an outstanding rookie season with the Pirates in 2024. He finished third in NL Cy Young Award voting, posted a stellar 11-3 record with a 1.96 ERA in 23 games, and earned the honor of starting pitcher for the NL in the All-Star Game after just 11 major league starts. While he has yet to discuss a long-term deal with the Pirates, Skenes has stated his focus remains on helping the team contend in 2025.
