An 11-year-old boy has found himself in the spotlight, all thanks to a rare 1-of-1 autographed rookie card of Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes. As of March 20, 2025, just hours before the auction is set to close, the card is already fetching an incredible price of at least $900,000. This price tag could surpass Skenes' entire 2025 contract!
The young baseball enthusiast, who remains unnamed, discovered the sought-after card among a $320 box of Topps Chrome 2024 cards he received as a Christmas gift. Finding such a card is akin to unearthing Willy Wonka's Golden Ticket—it's a dream come true for collectors and fans alike!
As news of this rare find spread, the boy was inundated with offers. Among the bidders, the Pittsburgh Pirates themselves proposed a staggering package: two season tickets for 30 years in exchange for the coveted card. Notably, Skenes' girlfriend, Livvy Dunne, joined the fray by offering a more personal twist: a makeshift date and a VIP view at a Pirates game from her suite at Pittsburgh's PNC Park. It's safe to say that many 11-year-olds would find it tough to turn down such an enticing offer!
However, the boy ultimately decided he would rather take the card to auction and see just how much it could raise. According to him, the goal is to secure a substantial portion of the earnings for a college fund and personal desires down the line. This decision highlights not only the card's monetary value but also its potential impact on the boy’s future, as he can plan ahead with this unexpected windfall.
The exclusive auction hosted by Fanatics Collect is set to conclude at 10 p.m. ET on the same day, with 59 bids placed up to this point. Experts in the field are speculating that bidding might break the $1 million mark before the clock runs out. Given Skenes’ remarkable performance in his rookie year and his young age of just 22, many collectors are eagerly anticipating how high the bids might go.
Interestingly, while the card itself has taken the spotlight, another layer to the story has been unfolding parallel. Livvy Dunne, a viral sensation and LSU gymnast, recently attempted to prank her boyfriend, Paul Skenes, by using a playful FaceTime call. On March 19, 2025, she filmed a TikTok video where she attempted to fool her 8 million followers. During the call, she mischievously displayed a photo of someone other than herself to Skenes but soon found her prank backfiring when he refused to answer the call.
In response to Dunne’s prank, Skenes humorously turned the tables by using the same strategy against her—a classic case of a prankster getting pranked! Their playful relationship has garnered attention since they confirmed their romance in the summer of 2023, showcasing their interactions beyond just the sports realm.
While Skenes prepares for another season in Major League Baseball, Dunne is currently working through recovery from a knee injury, illustrating their commitment to support each other through both personal and professional challenges. This dynamic duo highlights how love and fun can coexist, even amid competitive environments like sports.
Returning to the auction, the buzz surrounding this unique card reflects a larger enthusiasm for sports memorabilia that connections fans to their favorite players. For this young boy, the excitement is not just about money but also about dreams and future possibilities. Each bid signifies not just financial value but the collective hope and passion of fans for the game.
The current trend of sports collectibles soaring in prices and popularity can only be expected to grow, particularly with younger fans like this boy at the forefront. As the auction progresses, eyes will be on the final price—an indicator of just how much the world values not only talent but also the memories and nostalgia associated with sports.
