Shohei Ohtani, the baseball sensation who has taken the sports world by storm with his incredible feats on the field, has now solidified his status in the world of collectibles. At the “Holy Grails” auction, a collaboration between Fanatics Collect and Sotheby’s, Ohtani’s 2018 Topps Chrome Sapphire Autographs Superfractor rookie card stole the show by selling for a jaw-dropping $336,000. This sale not only smashed the previous record for an Ohtani card, set at $312,000 in December 2021, but also showcased the skyrocketing value of Ohtani’s memorabilia. The same card, which sold for a mere $4,800 in May 2019 and $62,730 in October 2021, has seen an astounding surge in worth, reflecting Ohtani’s phenomenal accomplishments on the field.
Sotheby’s had initially estimated the value of Ohtani’s card to be between $80,000 and $120,000. However, fueled by Ohtani’s historic season where he became the first MLB player to achieve 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season, the final bid far exceeded all expectations. Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of collectibles, expressed his admiration for the Ohtani card, labeling it as his favorite item in the auction and assigning it to lot one, setting the tone for the evening.
The star-studded event held at Harlem Parish, once a church converted into a unique event space, drew in notable personalities like NFL icon Tom Brady, along with the New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, YouTube sensation Logan Paul, and rapper Meek Mill. A standout moment occurred when Kraft, seated alongside Brady in the front row, made headlines by splurging $120,000 on a Tom Brady 2000 Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket Autograph card, adding to the auction’s allure.
The night witnessed other remarkable sales, including the 2022 Bowman Chrome 1st Bowman Prospect Autograph Superfractor card of emerging MLB talent Elly De La Cruz, fetching an impressive $360,000, surpassing Ohtani’s eye-watering sale amount. However, the pinnacle of the auction was reached with the exceptional bid for the 2005-06 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual Logoman Autographs card featuring the iconic NBA figures Michael Jordan and Julius Erving. This unparalleled card, boasting game-used NBA logo patches from both legends’ jerseys, was ultimately sold for a staggering $780,000, solidifying its place as one of the most coveted items of the night.
The “Holy Grails” auction succeeded in presenting a collection of the rarest and most sought-after sports memorabilia, with Ohtani’s record-breaking sale marking a remarkable start to an evening filled with astounding bids and iconic pieces that delighted collectors and enthusiasts alike.