BREAKING: Dick’s Sporting Goods Bought the Skenes Debut Patch Card
The MLB Debut Patch program was introduced by Fanatics Collectibles and Topps in 2023. This initiative features a unique patch worn on the jersey of players during their first Major League Baseball game. After the debut, the patch is authenticated and incorporated into the player's rookie card in a future Topps set, creating a one-of-a-kind collectible. MLB.comAP News+3Topps Ripped+3MLB.com+3
The first release of these Rookie Debut Patch Autograph Cards occurred in the 2023 Topps Chrome Update Series Baseball. This innovative approach has added a new layer of exclusivity and excitement to baseball card collecting.
The Paul Skenes MLB Debut Patch Autograph card is a unique, one-of-a-kind collectible produced by Topps as part of their 2024 Topps Chrome Update series. This card features an on-card autograph from Skenes and includes a patch from the jersey he wore during his Major League Baseball debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates. SI+3Fanatics Collect+3Reuters+3ESPN.com+1AP News+1
Recently, this exclusive card garnered significant attention when it sold at auction for $1.11 million. The winning bid was placed by DICK'S Sporting Goods, a company headquartered in Pittsburgh. They plan to display the card at their DICK'S House of Sport store in Ross Park, Pittsburgh, aiming to inspire the local community and celebrate Skenes' achievements. Reddit+11CBS News+11MLB.com+11WTAE+1AP News+1
The card's journey began when an 11-year-old collector from Los Angeles discovered it while opening packs with his family. Recognizing its value, they chose to auction the card through Fanatics Collect. Notably, Fanatics Collect has committed to donating their proceeds from the sale to the Los Angeles Fire Relief Fund, supporting victims affected by recent wildfires in Southern California. Fanatics CollectReddit+6The US Sun+6MLB.com+6AP News+1MLB.com+1
This sale marks one of the highest prices ever paid for a baseball card, underscoring both the card's uniqueness and Paul Skenes' rising prominence in Major League Baseball. MLB.com
Baseball cards are becoming more popular for several key reasons:
1. Rising Demand for Collectibles
With nostalgia driving interest, many collectors—both old and new—are returning to the hobby. Millennials who grew up collecting in the 1980s and 1990s now have more disposable income, fueling demand.
2. The Influence of Social Media & Content Creators
Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok have made card collecting more engaging, with influencers showcasing high-value pulls, market trends, and investment strategies.
3. The Boom of Breaking & Live Streams
"Card breaking" has turned sports card collecting into an interactive event. Companies and influencers run live-streamed box breaks where collectors buy into a set of cards, creating excitement and community engagement.
4. The Expansion of Premium & Limited-Edition Cards
Manufacturers like Topps, Panini, and Fanatics have introduced one-of-one cards, autographs, and relics, making certain cards rare and highly valuable. Sets like Topps Chrome, Bowman 1st, and Prizm have driven interest, especially among investors.
5. Increased Popularity of Grading & Authentication
Grading services like PSA, SGC, and Beckett have added legitimacy to the hobby by verifying card conditions, making high-grade cards worth significantly more.
6. The Impact of Star Players & Rookie Hype
Young stars like Shohei Ohtani, Elly De La Cruz, Paul Skenes, and Jackson Holliday have fueled demand for new rookie cards, leading to spikes in prices when players perform well.
7. Big Sales & Investment Appeal
With multi-million dollar sales of rare cards—such as the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle ($12.6M) and 2009 Mike Trout Superfractor ($3.9M)—sports cards are increasingly seen as alternative investments.
8. New Innovations Like Debut Patches & Digital Collectibles
Topps’ MLB Debut Patch program (launched in 2023) and the rise of blockchain-based digital collectibles (NFTs) have added fresh appeal, making baseball cards relevant in modern collecting trends.
9. Fanatics’ Takeover & Industry Growth
Since acquiring Topps, Fanatics has aggressively expanded the market, securing exclusive deals with MLB and actively promoting sports card collecting through partnerships, marketing, and distribution.
10. The Nostalgia Factor
Many collectors are drawn back into the hobby because of childhood memories of opening packs, trading with friends, and chasing their favorite players.
With all these factors combined, baseball cards are thriving—appealing to collectors, investors, and sports fans alike.
The 2024 Topps Chrome Update Series features an extensive lineup of over 250 Rookie Debut Patch Autograph cards. Each card is a unique, one-of-one collectible, showcasing an on-card autograph alongside the MLB Debut Patch from the player's first Major League game. Topps+2Sports Card Info+2Topps Ripped+2
Notable players included in this series:
- Paul SkenesAP News+4Topps Ripped+4Cardsmiths Breaks+4
- Elly De La CruzSportsCardsPro+2Topps Ripped+2Beckett+2
- Jasson DominguezTopps Ripped
These exclusive cards have garnered significant attention within the collecting community, with some achieving remarkable auction results. For instance, a Paul Skenes MLB Debut Patch Autograph card recently sold for $1.11 million, underscoring the high demand and value associated with these unique collectibles.
For a comprehensive checklist of all players featured in the 2024 Topps Chrome Update Series MLB Debut Patch Autograph set, you can refer to the official Topps website. Topps
This series continues to innovate in the sports card industry, offering collectors the opportunity to own a tangible piece of a player's inaugural MLB moment.
Determining the exact number of 2024 Topps Chrome Update Series MLB Debut Patch Autograph cards that have been pulled and are in collectors' hands is challenging, as there is no centralized registry tracking these specific cards. However, several notable cards from this series have surfaced:
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Paul Skenes' 1-of-1 MLB Debut Patch Autograph card: This card was recently sold at auction for $1.11 million.
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Jackson Holliday's 1-of-1 MLB Debut Patch Autograph card: Sold for $198,000. ESPN.com
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Jackson Chourio's 1-of-1 MLB Debut Patch Autograph card: Fetched $105,000 in a private sale. Beckett+5Cllct+5ESPN.com+5
Given that each card in this series is a unique, one-of-one collectible, the number of cards still unclaimed in unopened packs depends on the total production and the rate at which collectors have opened these packs. Without specific data from Topps or a comprehensive registry, it's difficult to provide an exact figure. However, the emergence of these high-profile cards suggests that a portion of the series has been pulled, while others may still reside in unopened packs.