Shohei Ohtani, the two-way baseball sensation, continues to make waves not only on the field but also in the realm of collectibles. This Tuesday evening in Harlem, Ohtani’s rookie card made history at the inaugural “Holy Grails” auction, a unique collaboration between Fanatics Collect and Sotheby’s.
The spotlight of the night was on Ohtani’s 2018 Topps Chrome Sapphire Autographs Superfractor rookie card, a one-of-a-kind piece that fetched an impressive $336,000. This sale shattered the previous record for an Ohtani card, which stood at $312,000 from December 2021. The remarkable appreciation in the card’s value is evident when compared to its past sales, with the same card changing hands for $62,730 in October 2021 and a mere $4,800 in May 2019. Initially estimated to be worth between $80,000 and $120,000 by Sotheby’s, Ohtani’s extraordinary on-field achievements, such as being the first MLB player to achieve 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season, propelled the card’s final price well past initial expectations.
At the event venue, Harlem Parish, a converted former church, a star-studded audience graced the occasion. NFL legend Tom Brady, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, popular YouTuber Logan Paul, and rapper Meek Mill were among the esteemed guests.
One of the most memorable moments of the night occurred when Kraft, seated alongside Brady in the front row, made headlines by acquiring a Tom Brady 2000 Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket Autograph card for a cool $120,000.
Apart from Ohtani’s record-breaking card, other significant sales took place during the auction. A 2022 Bowman Chrome 1st Bowman Prospect Autograph Superfractor card featuring up-and-coming MLB star Elly De La Cruz garnered an impressive $360,000, surpassing the amount fetched by Ohtani’s card.
However, the pinnacle of the night was the auction of a 2005-06 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual Logoman Autographs card showcasing NBA legends Michael Jordan and Julius Erving. This one-of-a-kind card, adorned with game-used NBA logo patches from the jerseys of both players, commanded an eye-watering price of $780,000, marking the highest bid of the evening.
The “Holy Grails” auction brought together an array of rare and highly sought-after sports memorabilia, with Ohtani’s groundbreaking sale setting the stage for an evening filled with breathtaking bids and iconic collectibles. This event solidified Ohtani’s legendary status in the collectibles world, further cementing his place as one of contemporary sports’ most coveted figures.
