A unique autographed card featuring Shohei Ohtani has set a new record by selling for $3 million through Fanatics Collect. This one-of-a-kind card, part of the 2025 Topps Chrome MVP Award Gold MLB Logoman series, nearly tripled the previous record for a baseball card featuring a player from the Los Angeles Dodgers. The sale marks a significant milestone in the world of sports collectibles, highlighting Ohtani’s immense popularity.
The card, which includes a patch from a game where Ohtani hit his seventh home run of the season, was authenticated with a visible MLB hologram on its reverse side. This specific patch was used during a match against the Miami Marlins on April 29, 2024. The achievement makes this card the highest-selling item in Fanatics Collect’s history and the most expensive modern baseball card since the $3.96 million sale of a Mike Trout autographed rookie card in 2020.
Prior to this record-breaking sale, the highest price paid for an Ohtani card was $1.067 million for another one-of-a-kind autographed card that included memorabilia from notable moments in his 2024 season. This previous sale took place in March 2024 at Heritage Auctions.
Kevin Lenane, vice president of the Fanatics marketplace, remarked on Ohtani’s unique status in the sports world. He described Ohtani as “an international Babe Ruthian figure, which is really hard to top.” Lenane emphasized that the collecting community has a strong interest in high-end cards, especially those that feature game-used patches, which add to their value and historical significance.
The recent auction also included an impressive sale of a card for rising basketball star Cooper Flagg. An autographed, one-of-one 2025 Topps Chrome Silver Pack ’80 Superfractor Flagg card sold for $216,000. This sale more than doubled the previous record for Flagg cards, which was set at $97,600 for a different one-of-a-kind card earlier this year.
Lenane noted Flagg’s recent performance, where he became the youngest player in NBA history to score 40 points in a game, and how this contributes to the excitement surrounding his collectibles. He expressed enthusiasm for Flagg’s future, especially with his inclusion in the first Topps basketball product.
Overall, the recent sales reflect a robust interest in sports memorabilia, particularly in light of high-profile performances and the ongoing collaboration between major leagues like MLB and brands such as Nike. As the market for sports collectibles continues to grow, these record-breaking sales highlight the increasing value of unique items tied to significant athletic achievements.
