Paul Skenes took MLB by storm this year. The Pirates rookie shined in his first season in the big leagues, starting the All-Star Game while being a finalist for both the NL Cy Young award and NL Rookie of the Year award.
After such a special season, Topps has released a Paul Skenes Rookie Debut Patch Autograph card that includes Skenes' autograph and rookie jersey patch. However, Topps only made one card, and whoever finds it will get more than simply a baseball card.
The Sporting News examines the Paul Skenes card treasure hunt that is underway.
MORE: Paul Skenes joins list of rookies, youngest players to start All-Star Game
Paul Skenes rookie card search, explained
Topps announced on Nov. 10 that one special Paul Skenes card in a pack of the 2024 Topps Chrome Update would be released on Nov. 13.
𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞: The Paul Skenes 1/1 Rookie Debut Patch Autograph is officially here…
This card can be found in one lucky pack of 2024 Topps Chrome Update, releasing November 13. pic.twitter.com/uwTaUWaenh
The Pirates feel like the card's home should be in Pittsburgh, so two days after the release, they made an offer of several gifts to the person lucky enough to find the card. The offer includes Pirates season tickets for the next 30 years, hosting a softball game at PNC Park, two Paul Skenes autographed jerseys and a spring training facility tour.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) November 15, 2024But the offers don't end there.
Skenes' girlfriend, Livvy Dunne, is offering the person who finds the card the chance to watch a Pirates game with her in her suite.
Let's raise the stakes...the person who finds the card can sit with me at a Pirates game in my suite https://t.co/WZTk5SxHW5
— Olivia Dunne (@livvydunne) November 15, 2024MORE: Livvy Dunne rates Paul Skenes' best flips, tumbles
Additionally, noted Pittsburgh sports fan and Late Night host Seth Meyers offered four VIP tickets to a taping of his show in New York City.
If you find it and just let me LOOK at it for a SECOND, 4 VIP tickets to a @LateNightSeth taping https://t.co/8TxskOdywa
— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) November 15, 2024Topps releasing a Paul Skenes card has turned into a Willy Wonk-esque search that could create severable memorable moments for the person that finds it.
MORE: Revisiting Paul Skenes' LSU transfer and national title
Paul Skenes 2024 stats
The No. 1 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, Skenes had a memorable rookie season that saw him appear in 23 games and post a 1.96 ERA.
Games | 23 |
Record | 11-3 |
Inning pitched | 133 |
Strikeouts | 170 |
ERA | 1.96 |