Shohei Ohtani’s star power extends beyond the baseball diamond; it shines brightly in the world of collectibles as well. The recent “Holy Grails” auction, a groundbreaking collaboration between Fanatics Collect and Sotheby’s, witnessed Ohtani’s rookie card reaching astronomical heights. The one-of-a-kind 2018 Topps Chrome Sapphire Autographs Superfractor rookie card of Ohtani fetched an astounding $336,000 – breaking the previous record of $312,000 set just a month before the auction.
Ohtani’s journey from a $4,800 sale in 2019 to the recent $336,000 bid is nothing short of remarkable. Sotheby’s had originally estimated the card’s value to be between $80,000 and $120,000, but Ohtani’s outstanding performance on the field, which includes being the first MLB player to achieve 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season, propelled the card’s final price far beyond expectations.
Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of collectibles, expressed his admiration for the Ohtani card, calling it his favorite item in the auction and giving it the prestigious spot of lot one. The event, held in the grand setting of the Harlem Parish, saw the presence of esteemed personalities like NFL legend Tom Brady, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, YouTube sensation Logan Paul, and rapper Meek Mill.
A star-studded evening took an unexpected turn when Robert Kraft, seated alongside Tom Brady in the front row, stole the spotlight by splurging $120,000 on a Tom Brady 2000 Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket Autograph card. The auction further heated up with the sale of a 2022 Bowman Chrome 1st Bowman Prospect Autograph Superfractor card featuring the promising MLB talent Elly De La Cruz, fetching a staggering $360,000, surpassing Ohtani’s record.
The pinnacle of the auction was reached with the highest bid of the night going to a 2005-06 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual Logoman Autographs card showcasing basketball icons Michael Jordan and Julius Erving. This exclusive card, boasting game-used NBA logo patches from the legends’ jerseys, commanded an eye-watering price of $780,000, showcasing the immense value placed on rare sports memorabilia.
The “Holy Grails” auction brought together a tantalizing array of coveted sports collectibles, with Ohtani’s record-breaking sale setting the stage for a night filled with jaw-dropping bids and iconic items. The event not only solidified Ohtani’s status as a collectible phenomenon but also highlighted the enduring appeal and skyrocketing value of sports memorabilia in the eyes of passionate collectors worldwide.
