A Record-Breaking Collector's Item

An unprecedented piece of baseball history was made when a Shohei Ohtani autographed relic card from his legendary 50/50 season became the first of his memorabilia to surpass $1 million at auction. The card, sold through Heritage Auctions, fetched an astonishing $1.067 million (including buyer's premium), setting a new benchmark for Ohtani collectibles.

The Card's Unique Significance

This 1-of-1 numbered autographed relic card features the official MLB logo from the pants Ohtani wore during his historic performance in September 2024. The pants were used when he blasted his 49th, 50th, and 51st home runs and swiped his 50th and 51st stolen bases against the Miami Marlins. This feat cemented his legacy as the first MLB player to achieve 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season.

The Topps Dynasty Black Collection

Following Ohtani's 50/50 milestone, Topps acquired the pants and batting gloves he wore and created a special commemorative set. The collection includes:

• Refractor cards
• Short prints
• Autographed relics
• Dynasty Black relics (limited to 3, all 1-of-1)

The record-breaking card is part of the Dynasty Black series, distinguished by its inclusion of an MLB logo patch from his game-worn pants.

Market Impact and Previous Records

While this sale fell just short of the $1.1 million record for a Paul Skenes MLB debut patch autograph card (the highest for a non-Mike Trout modern card), it more than doubled Ohtani's previous auction high of $533,140 (for a 2018 Bowman Chrome rookie card).

Future Outlook for Ohtani Memorabilia

Given Ohtani's rising stardom and this auction result, collectors anticipate even higher valuations for his rare cards and game-used gear. As he continues to redefine baseball excellence, his memorabilia remains a hot commodity among investors and fans alike.