Shohei Ohtani’s dominance isn’t just limited to the baseball field. The rookie card frenzy surrounding the Angels’ two-way superstar reached unprecedented heights at the exclusive “Holy Grails” auction hosted by Fanatics Collect and Sotheby’s in Harlem.
The star of the show was undeniably Ohtani’s 2018 Topps Chrome Sapphire Autographs Superfractor rookie card. With a jaw-dropping final bid of $336,000, it pulverized the previous record of $312,000 set just a few months prior. This remarkable surge in value tells a tale of its own, starting from a modest $4,800 in May 2019 to the latest astronomical figure. Sotheby’s initial estimates of $80,000 to $120,000 were swiftly left in the dust, boosted by Ohtani’s historic baseball feats.
Brahm Wachter, the head of collectibles at Sotheby’s, expressed his admiration for the Ohtani card, labelling it as his personal favorite from the event and assigning it a prime spot as Lot 1.
The star-studded affair saw an illustrious guest list, including the likes of NFL luminary Tom Brady, who made waves by acquiring a Tom Brady 2000 Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket Autograph card for a cool $120,000. Sitting beside Brady in the front row was none other than New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, adding a touch of grandeur to the proceedings.
While Ohtani’s card stole the spotlight, other treasures commanded attention. A 2022 Bowman Chrome 1st Bowman Prospect Autograph Superfractor card belonging to rising MLB sensation Elly De La Cruz fetched an impressive $360,000, overshadowing even Ohtani’s record-breaking sale.
The zenith of the night was the intense bidding war over a 2005-06 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual Logoman Autographs card featuring basketball icons Michael Jordan and Julius Erving. This unique card, adorned with game-worn NBA logo patches from both legends, drew gasps as it sold for a staggering $780,000, solidifying its status as a prized collector’s item.
The “Holy Grails” auction was a congregation of the rarest and most sought-after sports memorabilia, with Ohtani’s card serving as the catalyst for an evening replete with outlandish bids and iconic artifacts. As the gavel fell on these remarkable transactions, it was evident that the allure of sports collectibles remains as potent as ever in the realm of high-stakes auctions.
