In the fast-paced world of sports card collecting, two grading companies, PSA and ISA, have maintained their dominance in the industry in 2023. As the year comes to a close, PSA has revealed the top 10 athletes and cards based on submissions. Topping the list is none other than MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani, who recently signed a jaw-dropping $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ohtani’s cards, particularly his 2018 Topps #700 Pitching card, have become highly coveted among collectors, making him the most submitted athlete to PSA this year. What’s more, Ohtani holds an impressive four spots in the top 10 most graded sports cards of 2023.
While Ohtani shines bright at the top, basketball legend Michael Jordan remains a prominent figure in card submissions. His iconic 1990 Fleer card continues to be a favorite among collectors, securing him the second spot on the list. Rounding out the top 10 athletes in card submissions for 2023 are Julio Rodriguez, Trevor Lawrence, Joe Burrow, Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Ken Griffey Jr., and Patrick Mahomes II. These athletes have all left an indelible mark on their respective sports and in the hearts of fans.
Now let’s take a closer look at the top 10 most graded sports cards of 2023. Unsurprisingly, several of these cards belong to Shohei Ohtani, further solidifying his dominance in the card collecting world. His 2018 Bowman #49 and 2018 Topps Update US285 have garnered significant attention and have become highly sought after by collectors. In addition to Ohtani’s cards, other standouts in the top 10 include the 2022 Bowman Chrome Prospects BCP50 Elly De La Cruz and the 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr. Star Rookie. These cards represent the pinnacle of sports card collecting, capturing moments and players that will forever be etched in history.
Moving over to the football realm, we witness the rise of two young quarterbacks in the card grading world. Justin Fields, the talented quarterback for the Chicago Bears, has seen a remarkable 119% increase in card submissions compared to 2022. His impressive performances on the field have undoubtedly captured the attention of collectors. Not far behind Fields is Trevor Lawrence, the heralded rookie quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars, with a 98% increase in submissions. These two rising stars are quickly making their mark in the card collecting community.
It’s worth noting that Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce has also experienced significant growth in card submissions. This surge in interest may be attributed to his highly-publicized relationship with renowned singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, as fans clamor for a piece of the action tied to Kelce’s personal life and achievements on the field.
When it comes to rookie cards, they continue to dominate the grading submissions across various sports. In basketball, Paolo Banchero and Victor Wembanyama have emerged as top contenders for the most submitted rookie cards. Meanwhile, in football, Kenny Pickett and Brock Purdy lead the way as the most sought-after rookie cards. On the baseball front, Elly De La Cruz and Adley Rutschman have garnered immense attention, making them the top choices for submitted rookie cards.
As 2023 draws to a close, the world of sports card collecting continues to thrive, driven by superstar athletes like Shohei Ohtani, Michael Jordan, and the rising stars of the game such as Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence. With each card telling a story and capturing a treasured moment in sports history, collectors eagerly await the next big find to add to their cherished collections. So keep an eye out for these athletes and their cards as they continue to make waves in the world of trading cards.
