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It seems as though the baseball gods have high-fived the earthly realm once again as Clayton Kershaw, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ legendary lefty, has waltzed his way into the coveted 3,000 strikeout club. This extraordinary achievement has solidified his position not just in the history books but in the hearts of baseball enthusiasts across the planet. Yet, in a world where baseball fans love to hold a piece of history right in their hands, there’s more good news: the memento from this monumental occasion is making its way to an exclusive, one-of-a-kind Topps Dynasty Black trading card.

Yes, you heard it right. The magicians at Topps have decided to capture this legendary milestone in a style fitting only for the finest baseball royalty. They’re crafting a special collectible card that integrates the game-worn MLB Logoman patch from Kershaw’s historic, sweltering strikeout era. This snazzy snippet of fabric comes from a game that peeled back the pages of history and firmly rooted Kershaw’s name among the elite of pitching.

Now, imagine owning such an iconic relic. The exclusivity of this card cannot be overstated, given it’s as rare as unicorn sightings in downtown Los Angeles. The 1/1 card will be a part of a riveting gamble, as it will be randomly awarded to one extraordinarily lucky aficionado who opts to order the standard Topps Now base card. It’s like winning the lottery, except instead of cashing out for a lump sum, you’ll become the proud owner of a unique piece of baseball’s living past.

This tantalizing offer by Topps turns every purchase into a treasure hunt, each card opening like a present under the Christmas tree. It provides each Kershaw fan a shot—however infinitesimal—at immortality through this irreplaceable piece of memorabilia. Understandably, across the globe, baseball fans might be tussling to snag a card, each vying to hold a new chapter in baseball history. A small fabric rectangle that embodies not just a game but Kershaw’s relentless dedication and eye-popping performances over the years.

Kershaw’s entry among the Titans of the 3,000 K’s league isn’t just a number; it’s a testament to an illustrious career. Underneath the Dodger blue runs a career sculpted out of sheer grit and staggering consistency. For a pitcher whose curveball could possibly defy the laws of physicists, Kershaw’s ascendancy wasn’t merely about natural talent, but also about tenacity and a sprinkle of perfectionism.

With every meticulously pitched ball, Kershaw has demonstrated restraint, boosting not only strikeout numbers but inciting the kind of awe generally reserved for performances in symphony halls. He’s a three-time Cy Young award winner, an MVP, and a World Series champion, but adding the 3,000 strikeouts to his gallantry transcends individual accolades into an almost folklore-like status.

This trading card doesn’t merely mark the occasion; it celebrates an entire ethos. It signifies a nod to perseverance, excellence, and a legacy that staunchly endures in a game constantly thirsting for new legends. For fans, possessing such a card means hanging onto a legacy—not just from any pitcher, but from a magician who transcends the ordinary through every flutter and whoosh of the ball past an opponent’s flailing bat.

So, as the diamond dust settles on this aspect of Kershaw’s career, Topps’ decision to launch this exclusive collectible is a symphony of harmony for collectors and fans alike. It serves as one tiny, yet giant, medium that encapsulates an era of dominance by a player who, without question, stood tall amidst his peers.

While the world prepares for what comes next in Kershaw’s awe-inspiring journey, somewhere in a factory, the printing press is breathing life into cards that carry not just threads of a historic game, but the essence of what it means to be a steadfast legend in the world of baseball. The magic of being a fan lies not just in watching such moments unfold but in owning a tangible slice of history—a privilege Topps is handing one fortunate soul.

Clayton Kershaw 3000th Strikeout Patch Auto

If ever there was an occasion for Clayton Kershaw to nonchalantly tip his cap—and maybe sneak a sly grin—it is now. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ legendary lefty has etched his name, his fastball, and perhaps his soul into the annals of baseball history by claiming his 3,000th strikeout. Kershaw, with his textbook precision and bender of a curveball, has long been the muse of baseball poets, artists, and devote artists of the game. Yet, the real thrill is that fans are being gifted with an opportunity to own a piece of this compelling sports tale.

Topps, the enduring name in trading cards, has concocted a delicious collectible to honor Kershaw’s milestone: a one-of-a-kind Dynasty Black trading card festooned with Kershaw’s game-worn MLB Logoman patch from that very day of destiny, celebrating his 3,000th strike. This isn’t just another card. No, dear fans and collectors, this beauty is as exclusive as it gets—a singular, one-off delight straight from the game that will forever sit high upon baseball’s wisterial towers.

But here comes the nostalgic twist that turns this story from remarkable to near mythical. This exclusive card will not be available for purchase or subject to the predatory clutches of auctioneers. Instead, it will be randomly awarded to a fortuned soul who orders the standard Topps Now base card that captures the monochrome snapshot of Kershaw’s glorious strikeout. In essence, Topps is not just selling cards; they’re selling the magic of serendipity.

Forget winning the lottery; for any baseball aficionado, the thrill of possibly clutching this card in your hands is akin to striking gold—or, in baseball terms, hitting a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the ninth. With the stroke of dumb luck, a collector could boast ownership of a bona fide artifact belonging to a man who holds not just numbers but tales written with his breath, perspiration, and an indelible legacy.

Clayton Kershaw, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, MVP, and esteemed World Series champion, has turned innings into a lyrical dance of power and poise. His strikeout record doesn’t just come from talent; it’s a blend of relentless perseverance and sheer, untamed passion for baseball. His 3,000th strikeout is not simply a testament to one more accomplished statistic but rather a narrative thread sewn with the golden threads of his career, capturing moments that fans will recount to generations.

The game-worn Logoman patch embedded in the card symbolizes more than just a piece of cloth. To a collector, it represents the visceral heartbeat of Kershaw’s journey—the tactile memory of every fastball hurled with intention, each curveball defying gravity, the dusty footprints dug out one pitch at a time. It becomes a focal point of reflection not just on Kershaw’s victories but on his very being as a staple of America’s beloved pastime.

In baseball, legends are etched under the gaze of stadium lights and history is cradled between the chants of adoration and the crack of the bat. Kershaw’s ascent to the 3,000th strikeout is yet another dazzling halo in the constellation of his career—a feat not just of today but of yesteryears spent honing his craft, perfecting his plays with the tenacity of a master artist refusing to stray from his canvas.

This exclusive card, a tiny flicker amidst the grandeur of baseball’s idolization, stands as proof that the intersection of history and memorabilia is a powerful space—where fans and legends can coexist, if only for the glimmering moment it takes to see a reflection of greatness within a beloved card.

For those who hold baseball in their hearts, the Topps Dynasty card is not merely a chase item but a splendid narrative of grit, spirit, and triumph. Amid the ink and cardboard lies a tale as eternal as Kershaw’s dogged curveball—a reminder that the romance of baseball transcends numbers and games, resting in the poignant encounters between dreams fulfilled and dreams beckoning just in reach.

Clayton Kershaw 3000th Strikeout Patch Auto

In an arena where the statistics-driven pursuits of sports enthusiasts meet the tangible nostalgia of trading cards, a heartwarming quest unfolds that intertwines the worlds of athletic achievement and intimate personal pride. Robert Abel, a dedicated baseball coach, has embarked on an endeavor that diverges markedly from traditional expectations. His mission? To gather trading cards, but not just any trading cards—those featuring his wife, Alyssa Nakken, a trailblazer in Major League Baseball.

Alyssa Nakken broke through baseball’s convention-laden boundaries in 2022 when she made history as MLB’s first female on-field coach. Her position with the San Francisco Giants wasn’t merely a personal triumph; it was monumental in its implications for gender representation in sports. Each moment she spent on the field resonated far beyond the diamond, inspiring countless admirers and aspiring athletes.

While fans and collectors scrambled to get their hands on memorabilia that marked Nakken’s pioneering achievements, Robert Abel had a more personal motivation. His quest isn’t rooted in the typical fervor of collectors seeking rare artifacts or capitalizing on market value. No, Abel’s dedication to amassing every version of Alyssa’s 2022 Topps Now card is infused with the tender resolve of spousal admiration mixed with an understanding of the broader historical context.

The significance of Alyssa Nakken’s achievement can hardly be overstated. Within the male-dominated realm of baseball, her mere presence in the dugout shatters glass ceilings, reverberating through generations past, present, and future. For women observing the sport, Alyssa’s rise serves as both a beacon and a rallying cry, asserting that the diamond is indeed a field with room for all who possess the talent and drive to tread its bases.

As Robert Abel pursues each iteration of Nakken’s cards, he underscores what trading card collecting is truly about beyond its surface engagements. It’s a tribute to the moments of triumph that those cards represent. Instead of being mere holders of sports statistics or images, in Abel’s hands, these cards become vessels of homage—contemporary relics preserving Alyssa Nakken’s groundbreaking narrative for posterity.

This gesture transcends commercial involvement, as its aim is far more noble and intimate. Through this dedicated pursuit, Abel fosters a living scrapbook of Alyssa’s contributions to baseball history, each card a memento of a barrier dismantled, a record set, and a future opened wide for women in baseball.

Beyond the alignment of a loving husband supporting his wife’s global achievements, Abel’s mission highlights something bigger: the deeply entrenched role sports can play in marking societal progress. Alyssa Nakken’s presence in every pack of Topps Now cards represents a step forward, a tangible reminder to new generations of the expansive possibilities within reach.

And so, this journey Robert Abel has undertaken—scouring the marketplaces, negotiating trades, and perhaps even sharing smiles and anecdotes with fellow collectors—is more than a run-of-the-mill compilation. It’s a passionate pilgrimage that uses a beloved pastime to enshrine how sports transcend competition and enter the domain of social movement and change.

Undoubtedly, there will be players who look at this collection and see just another artifact of fandom. But to Abel and everyone who recognizes the weight of Alyssa’s strides, the collection serves as a celebration of what she has accomplished, and what is yet to come for women in sports.

Every card collected adds to the mosaic of her story, rendered in spectacular Technicolor, ensuring that future generations of collectors, historians, and sports enthusiasts see more than a snapshot. They’ll witness a narrative extending into new chapters of possibility and growing human potential.

Through the seemingly straightforward act of collecting these cards, Abel reaffirms that beyond numbers and scores, moments of integrity, love, and ambition also shine brightly from behind each lacquered image. In this world of collectibles, the real treasure lies not in the cards themselves but in the personal legends they represent and the people who immortalize them through their passion.

Coach Robert Abel In Search of Wifes Cards

In the backstage of America’s favorite pastime, where stats, records, and historical milestones get etched into the annals of history, a heartwarming saga unfolds that is rather unusual. Enter Robert Abel, a coach with a mission loaded with personal pride and warmth that transcends the typical motives behind memorabilia collection. His quest? To assemble every possible version of a trading card featuring his wife, Alyssa Nakken, whose laurels extend beyond just her pioneering role in Major League Baseball.

In 2022, Alyssa Nakken didn’t just stroll into the stadium as any coach would. She became a groundbreaking force, the first female to crack the almost century-and-a-half-old glass ceiling, becoming an on-field coach in Major League Baseball (MLB). Her significant ascent with the San Francisco Giants heralded renewed hope and carried powerful symbolism. It was history in the making – not just for Nakken, but for women in sports globally.

For Robert Abel, collecting Nakken’s 2022 Topps Now card is not merely about possessing a physical representation of his wife’s incredible achievements. Instead, it is akin to cherishing a personal piece of history, one that intertwines their mutual passion for baseball with a shared family narrative of persistence, excellence, and shattering stereotypes.

Imagine Abel fervently seeking out the trading cards, each one a mosaic piece, contributing towards a grander picture of gender equality in sports. While some might scout trading cards to root their collections in nostalgia or potential monetary value, Abel’s motivation is about heartstrings, personal pride, and paying heartfelt homage to a living legacy. His devotion serves as a testament to the duo’s mutual journey, encapsulating the triumphs and challenges they’ve faced in a profession often synonymous with tradition and male dominance.

Every card acquired is symbolic of this turning point – a precursor highlighting that sporting arenas, much like the cards, are evolving spaces where stories of brave trailblazers are told. They serve as powerful keepsakes – milestones not just of personal or familial achievement but societal progression too.

What’s enrapturing about the whole escapade is how it mirrors the implicit beauty and narrative of trading card collecting. In essence, these cards become vessels of storytelling. Beyond the cardboard and color, they carry tales of aspiration, resilience, and moments of glory. Abel’s endeavor showcases that collections are repositories of not just items but emotion and experience – each card holding a streak of pride, a snippet of history, and an echo of hope.

Despite its strong ties to nostalgia, the hobby of trading card collection is undergoing a renaissance of sorts, driven by more inclusive narratives and an appreciative nod towards emerging heroes. Abel’s heartfelt pursuit is but a piece of this expanding tapestry, advocating that the sport, and indeed its adjunct hobbies, mirror and propel societal shifts.

On a more poetic note, to untangle and perceive wider realms in Abel’s saga is to experience a romantic blend of passion and purpose, art and ambition. Think of Nakken’s cards as unique canvases, painted by her trailblazing footsteps in the dugout, and embraced by her life partner in devotion.

As situations such as these make clear, perhaps it’s time to evolve our appreciation of such endeavors. The physical collection, though stationary, enunciates vibrance – a heartfelt narrative spanning professionalism, milestones, and togetherness. This is poignantly told by Abel’s determined quest not just to honor his wife’s giant leap for women in baseball but the familial camaraderie and love that underscores it all.

Nakken, as a symbol of breaking new ground, and Abel, through his heartfelt commitment, reminds us that collecting is more than a pastime. It’s a representation of intertwined histories and a celebration of personal joys threaded with larger cultural narratives.

As fans cheer through the airwaves in stadiums, those cheers form the backdrop of Nakken and Abel’s entwined journey. Abel’s collection is yet another celebration of the roads paved anew, and proof that beyond the scores and stats are stories worth cherishing, much like the cards that bear witness to them.

Coach Robert Abel In Search of Wifes Cards

Trading cards have transcended from mere collectible hobbies to become a thriving market powerhouse, a testament cemented candidly by the jaw-dropping sales figures this past June. Drumroll, please, as we present a dizzying $305 million—a new all-time high for trading card sales in just one month. Indeed, June 2025 is the month the trading card aficionados will etch into their every waking dialogue, thanks to a seismic performance that eclipsed all predictions and set new benchmarks. Buckle up; it’s time to dive into the wondrous details of this record-breaking occurrence and what it means for the card-collecting kingdom.

The assertion of trading cards as a formidable commodity comes with the backing of hard figures. The $305.7 million splashed in June trumpets a triumph over the previous reigning record of $303.22 million, a figure achieved not in the sweet bygone of years past but a mere quarter ago, in March. With late data eagerly anticipated to trickle in early July, the sum is poised to scale even steeper fiscal heights.

Among the usual suspects fueling this monetary torrent stands eBay, carrying the lion’s share with a hefty contribution of over $245 million to the card cosmos. Not wanting to miss the golden boat, Goldin bagged $32 million worth of sales, while Fanatics Collect chimed in with a respectable $27 million. Each platform served as a vital conduit, facilitating the transit of dreams, nostalgia, and astute investments across their portals. Helping to weave this intricate web of transactions, the indefatigable Card Ladder platform tracked an eye-watering 5.2 million individual transactions throughout this record-shattering affair, the second highest in its recorded saga.

Yet, the crown jewel of June’s trading card exhibit surfaced from the vaults of Goldin, a treasure that paid homage to basketball royalty and altered the landscape of card markets in one fell swoop. The celebrated 2009-10 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual NBA Logoman card, a masterpiece bearing the luminary images of LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, dramatically exchanged hands for a cool $1.16 million. This iconic piece of cardboard artistry rose as the solitary seven-figure transaction of the mesmerizing month.

High rollers weren’t in short supply with June parading a glamorous array of high-ticket sales, ample proof of the galloping vigor permeating the tiers of high-end markets. Six transactions waltzed past the $500,000 mark, seventy-eight transactions delighted parties on either side of the $100,000 milestone, and two hundred thirty-nine cards more than claimed their worth by exceeding $50,000. These figures paint a vibrant picture of an evolving market where rarity and desirability entangle in a complex dance, each seeking the spotlight.

But let’s not forget the diligent scribes of our trade—the grading services, whose meticulous assessments translate ephemeral worth into tangible certainties. The year 2025 has proved bountiful, with GemRate recording an unprecedented grading deluge marking 12.4 million cards under its discerning standards thus far—a robust 25% uptick compared to the last annum. The ever-charismatic Pokémon retains its throne as the fandom beacon, constituting the majority of the card-laden cargo sent for evaluation. PSA’s ledger confirms the craze with Pokémon marshaling an astounding 97 out of the top 100 most graded cards this year.

In a dramatic flourish, June’s staggering financial ballet crowns a victorious first half of 2025, setting a spirited pace to puff convention and dodge the odds. Trading cards—be they bastions of sports legacy, strategic TCG jousts, or quaint facets of special interests—find themselves buoyed by an exhilarating confluence of accessibility, nostalgia, and competitive one-upmanship. The communal heart of collectors beats with anticipation, their eyes set squarely on the horizons of affluence yet unsung, daring all to wonder just what heights lay undiscovered in these avenues of cardboard dreams.

Trading Card Sales Record Broken

Step right up and feast your eyes on the latest spectacle in the world of collectibles—a realm where nostalgia clashes with modern fanaticism, and cardboard holds the weight of gold. In June 2025, trading cards experienced an unprecedented crescendo, as enthusiasts, investors, and collectors shelled out a staggering $305 million on iconic pieces from sports legends to fantastical creatures. Move over stock market; trading cards are stealing the spotlight.

According to Card Ladder, the premier source keeping tabs on the pulse of the trading card industry, June’s colossal expenditure of $305.7 million obliterated the previous record (a mere $303.22 million set earlier in the year in March). And just like any good blockbuster, there’s always hope for a surprise ending since late data might propel June’s numbers even higher as the reports trickle in through July.

A lion’s share of the trading frenzy took place on eBay, which alone accounted for over $245 million in sales volume. If eBay was the heavyweight champion, then Goldin and Fanatics Collect played the roles of energetic contenders, raking in $32 million and $27 million, respectively. With 5.2 million individual transactions logged across major platforms, June became the second-most active month in transaction terms ever recorded by Card Ladder. The world of trading cards has transformed into something more akin to high-octane sports—highly competitive and ever dynamic.

Among the igniting sparks of June’s skyrocketing numbers was a card sale to make jaws drop and wallets weep. At Goldin’s prestigious auction house, a rare 2009-10 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual NBA Logoman card featuring none other than LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, sold for an astounding $1.16 million. It was the crown jewel, the singular seven-figure transaction amid the month-long auction odyssey. Alongside this, six cards managed the Herculean feat of fetching over $500,000, while 68 cards cleared the $100,000 mark, and an impressive 239 cards surpassed $50,000. The high stakes of the trading card game aren’t just reserved for poker nights anymore.

Simultaneously, the vibrant, colorful world of TCGs and non-sport cards has been embroiled in a whirlwind of grading drama—a crucial stage in cementing a card’s value. Grading activity in 2025 is reaching altitudes previously unknown, according to GemRate, another leading analytics service. With 12.4 million cards graded thus far—a 25% increase over 2024—it’s evident that everyone wants a piece of the action, ensuring their collections soar from commonplace to museum-worthy.

Unsurprisingly, Pokémon continues to reign supreme in the grading sphere, with 7.2 million out of the total horde being TCG and non-sport cards. Evidently, the love for Pikachu and friends is far from over, with an astonishing 97 of the top 100 most graded cards at PSA this year being Pokémon-themed. Who knew squishy yellow rodents and fiery dragons could hold so much sway over people’s hearts and wallets?

June’s record-breaking numbers aren’t an isolated spike but rather the grand finale of a powerful crescendo. The first half of 2025 was marked by intense momentum coursing through the veins of trading cards, with the market raging across sports, TCGs, and other collectible phenomena. Gone are the days when trading cards were simply pastime distractions or dusty artifacts hiding in attic spaces; they have become central pieces of cultural and financial artistries, providing joy, cultural bonding, and investment opportunities that rival traditional options.

As we continue through 2025, it’s clear that this isn’t just a fleeting trend but a full-fledged cultural movement. The collectors driven by passion, the investors struck by opportunity, and the curious onlookers turned into fans—all play their part in the ongoing saga of trading cards. Who knows what awaits in the coming months? The only certainty is that each card, whether new or old, tells a story, waiting to be traded, cherished, graded, or showcased. In the grand theatre of collectibles, the curtain has only begun to rise.

Trading Card Sales Record Broken

The universe has a quirky sense of humor, especially when it comes to rewarding life’s little indulgences. For Michael Amos and his wife, what started as a whimsical stop at a Meijer store in Ohio metamorphosed into a collector’s fairytale that neither could have scripted better.

Fresh off the buzz and adrenaline of a family trip to an amusement park, the couple decided on a casual shopping detour. They innocuously meandered through the aisles, perhaps chasing after that perfect post-adventure snack or a forgotten essential on the list. Instead, they stumbled upon an adventure of the most dazzling kind in the most unassuming of places—the trading card section.

Deciding on a mystery power box, probably with that delightful sense of randomness and curiosity we all enjoy, Michael and his wife had little inkling of the revelation awaiting them. Wrapped inside those layers of mystery packaging was not just a card, but an artifact tingling with rarity and excitement—a 1-of-1 paper foil rookie card of Elly De La Cruz.

Now, dear reader, let’s take a moment to appreciate the cosmic alignment at play here. Elly De La Cruz isn’t just any rookie. As a luminous spark on the Cincinnati Reds’ roster, he’s a living testament to budding baseball talent. That his likeness, captured on this card, was unearthed in a part of the world where Reds fans carry pride like a second skin, is serendipitous itself.

Holding this unique card must have been like clutching lightning in a bottle for Michael. It was a relic not just bound by its material worth—which, let me assure you, is significant in its singularity—but by its local and personal resonance. The 1-of-1 designation means that no other card quite like this exists, placing it on an apex of desirability for collectors, both casual and fervent.

Michael hasn’t yet ventured down the path of appraising this extraordinary piece of cardboard wealth. And really, can the emotional thrill be quantified? The true value of such moments resides not in their market price, but within the heart, where stories too remarkable for simple exchange flourish like myths of old.

This unexpected treasure hunt serves as a colorful reminder, illustrating that life’s tapestry is woven through seemingly mundane threads. Those choices we make on a whim—to veer off our planned path, to explore the unexplored aisles for no particular reason—are the wells from which the most delightful surprises spring forth.

For Michael and his wife, the joy wasn’t merely in the astonishing card itself, but in the narrative of its discovery. It’s every collector’s cherished dream to stumble upon a rare find, but the magic is accentuated by the journey—the rarity of the object paired with the rarity of such a moment.

Baseball cards have long occupied a sentimental niche in American culture, capturing the dreams of fans young and old who yearn to hold their heroes in miniature form. They latch onto a sense of nostalgia, youth’s innocence pressed between colorful, glossy paper.

And so this tale of happenstance cultivates a renewed fondness in all of us for those unexpected decisions that lead to incredible discoveries. It rekindles the notion that in the realm of collecting and beyond, the treasure lies not just in the prize, but equally in the search.

There’s something whimsically poetic about such discoveries—how they unfurl in the everyday, how they transform the ordinary into extraordinary. And while we can’t all stumble into a Meijer and leave with a 1-of-1 treasure, we can certainly savor the sweetness of chance encounters, where the seemingly insignificant turns, quite marvelously, epic.

Elly De La Cruz 1/1

Michael Amos and his wife were not embarking on a treasure hunt when they casually wandered into a Meijer store in Ohio. Following a cheerful family outing to a neighboring amusement park, the couple took an almost arbitrary stroll through the store’s aisles. Little did they know, the universe had plans far beyond groceries or garden supplies; in fact, it was poised to grant them a spontaneous, yet unforgettable, encounter with fortune and joy.

Their curiosity piqued by nostalgia and perhaps some leftover childlike wonder from their day at the park, the pair found themselves perusing the trading card section. Encouraged by shared smiles and perhaps the idle musings of childhood, they decided to purchase a mystery power box. This was not just any whimsically-decorated box, mind you, but an enigmatic vessel filled with the traditional delights of trading card collectors everywhere: chance, suspense, and the latent promise of discovery.

The box itself, unassuming in appearance, held within its nondescript cardboard confines the narrative of serendipity about to unfold. Armed with anticipation and likely a hint of skepticism, Michael carefully unwrapped the first pack of cards labeled “2023 Bowman,” his fingers brushing against history and the metallic crinkling of foil. It was amid this seemingly everyday act that Michael unearthed a genuine artifact of both modern sport and sporting lore: a one-of-a-kind, 1-of-1 paper foil rookie card featuring none other than Elly De La Cruz.

For those uninitiated into the echelons of baseball card collecting, finding a 1-of-1 card is akin, in the words of seasoned aficionados, to discovering an uncharted corner of El Dorado or stumbling upon the proverbial needle in a haystack. Such a card is singular in existence, sought after not only for its rarity but for the mythos it instills in its bearer. And here, standing in an Ohio store, Michael was in possession of such a talisman: a rookie card born from the same paper dreams as all others but christened by the sporting gods themselves as unique.

Yet this card offered more than just rarity. Elly De La Cruz, the card’s star, is a burgeoning talent taking the baseball diamond by storm, swinging with bravado for the Cincinnati Reds—a team that nests within the very heart of Ohio. For Michael, this discovery was not merely a matter of statistical rarity but also one of profound local pride. It knitted together the threads of sport, community, and fate into a tapestry Michael and his wife could joyfully behold.

Amid the flurry of excitement, one might wonder about the card’s value. Given its uniqueness and featuring a player tiptoeing toward stardom, it surely carries monetary worth—though Michael remains uncertain of its precise figure. Potential buyers and appraisers would undoubtedly salivate at the prospect of owning such a gem of cardboard and ink.

But the true narrative extends beyond mere dollars and cents. This card, comfortably nestled in Michael’s collection, represents a serendipitous intersection of life choices; a reminder to all involved of the whimsical potential housed within life’s seemingly mundane choices. It embodies the narrative potential of a causal halt at the right aisle at the right time.

Through this ordeal, there lies a simple yet profound message embraced by all who find themselves captivated by the world of collectibles: sometimes, the most extraordinary moments are born from the ordinary. A gentle walk down a store aisle, an unplanned purchase inspired by nostalgia, morphs into a story of excitement, community pride, and the inexplicable magic nestled within spontaneity’s blossom.

As the striking colors of Elly De La Cruz’s figure radiated from its newfound paper home, Michael cradled the card, its value immeasurable in personal joy and narrative thrill. Herein lies the intrinsic beauty of collecting: a convergence of history, wonder, and human connection bound by a single artifact. Amidst the whirlwind of a day’s events, the importance of this singular card, both in its rarity and its irreplaceable place within Michael’s story, undeniably shines as brightly as the athlete gracing its surface.

Elly De La Cruz 1/1

In the ever-evolving world of collectibles, 2025 marks a pivotal moment as Pokémon cards ascend to the apex of popularity, surpassing traditional sports cards in both fascination and figures. Thanks to GemRate’s recent revelations, it’s clear that the Pokémon behemoth has well and truly stepped out from the shadow of its sporty counterparts, seizing an indomitable grip on the card-grading cosmos.

The data paints a vivid picture: among PSA’s top 100 most-graded cards, a staggering 97 are associated with the Pokémon franchise. It’s more than a simple trend; it’s practically a Pokémon takeover. Still, the question remains: what precisely has fueled this meteoric rise?

More than just children’s playthings, trading card games (TCGs) and non-sports collectibles have surged to command 59% of all graded submissions across major authentication firms during the first half of the year. Their collective power manifested in an impressive tally of 7.2 million card submissions between January and June—a whopping 70% increase from the previous year. Sporting cards, on the other hand, seem like they’re limping along, with only 5.1 million submissions, reflecting a humbling 9% decline within the same period.

The Japanese Iono’s Wattrel Battle Partners Promo No. 232 currently holds the title for the most-graded single card this year, with a phenomenal 45,600 copies processed. However, the iconic Pikachu reigns supreme as the indisputable mascot of Pokémon’s triumphant expansion. Pikachu proudly populates grading companies’ lists with over 345,000 graded examples in 2025 alone. Among these, the “Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat” card—born from an imaginative partnership with the Van Gogh Museum—has managed to emerge from the crowd with nearly 84,000 graded copies, becoming the most-submitted Pokémon card ever at PSA. Despite its ubiquity, a pristine PSA 10 grade of this card still demands upwards of $900, proving that rarity isn’t the only driver of value in the Pokémon universe.

Setting sights on sport cards, they scarcely make a blip in the top submissions arena. Only three managed to squeak into PSA’s top 100 listings: two cards featuring Jayden Daniels from the 2024 Panini Prizm and Donruss series, and a single card celebrating Caitlin Clark’s WNBA Rookie of the Year accolade from the 2024 Panini Instant series—each facing submission numbers between 8,800 and 10,500.

June’s grading statistics solidified the ongoing torrential Pokémon wave. TCG and non-sports card submissions composed a dominant 63% of the total, with PSA grading an astounding 911,000 cards just in that category and outpacing the cumulative sports card total of 743,000 across the four leading grading entities.

Companies are riding the crest of this wave—take CGC Cards, for instance. Their output has neared last year’s entire production with 2.18 million cards graded so far, more than 1.8 million of which were TCG or non-sports in nature. Even as CGC thrives, industry giant Beckett suffered a slowdown, currently trailing in fourth place among the top graders. Out of the 366,000 cards they have processed, a significant portion—approximately 214,000—were tied to Pokémon or other TCG affiliation.

PSA’s explosive success narrative is also intertwined with a strategic partnership with GameStop. This collaboration, which blossomed in October, has impressively amassed over 1 million grading submissions. Such partnerships have partially fueled the ongoing boom and further concreted Pokémon’s stronghold over the industry.

On the retail battleground, Pokémon’s seismic popularity continues to upend expectations. Shelves devoid of stock, queues that curl whole city blocks, and stringent per-customer purchase limitations underscore the fevered frenzy surrounding the franchise. As new releases disappear faster than they arrive, fervor for Pokémon cards continues to soar unfettered—indicating that Pokémon’s dominance in the collector’s sphere shows no sign of a cooldown.

As 2025 progresses, the Pokémon phenomenon raises compelling questions about the future landscape of collecting. Can sports cards re-adapt and reclaim their status, or has Pokémon reshaped the playing field indefinitely? Pondering these questions may well become the new pastime of industry insiders and enthusiasts alike, as Pokémon’s narrative keeps expanding within the realms of both nostalgia and new-age fascination.

Pokemon Cards Dominate Grading

In the vibrant realm of collectible cards, the year 2025 marks a significant shift, as Pokémon cards catapult themselves to the forefront, overtaking sports cards by a mile. According to the latest data from GemRate, Pokémon isn’t just making waves—it’s riding a tsunami. Once a humble trading card game, Pokémon now commands 97 out of the top 100 spots for the most-graded cards at PSA, one of the biggest third-party grading companies in the business. This marks a jaw-dropping pivot, as TCG (Trading Card Games) and other non-sport cards comprise a staggering 59% of all submissions to the four major grading authenticators for the first half of the year.

For Pokémon enthusiasts, these numbers translate into 7.2 million TCG and non-sports cards being graded between January and June. This figure represents a 70% increase year-over-year, a clear indicator that Pokémon isn’t just catching new fans; it’s capturing the hearts of a diverse collector base. Meanwhile, sports card submissions, historically the preferred collectible, lagged far behind with 5.1 million submissions—a 9% decline from the previous year.

Among the crowd favorite cards for 2025, the Japanese Iono’s Wattrel Battle Partners Promo No. 232 stands at the pinnacle, with over 45,600 copies submitted for grading. Yet Pikachu, the beloved yellow mascot, continues to be the charm of the franchise. In fact, Pikachu-related cards involved over 345,000 submissions this year alone, a clear testament to its enduring appeal.

Of particular note is the “Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat,” born from a creative collaboration with the Van Gogh Museum. This particular card has become somewhat iconic, with nearly 84,000 graded copies in circulation, though PSA 10 examples are fetching more than $900 despite the volume. This phenomenon speaks volumes about the mixture of scarcity, cultural footprint, and nostalgia that fuels the Pokémon card frenzy.

Meanwhile, sports cards struggled to make a significant impact, finding representation with just three cards in PSA’s top 100. The 2024 Panini Prizm Jayden Daniels rookie card and a similar edition from Donruss collected between 8,800 and 10,500 submissions, a far cry from the numbers Pokémon is pulling. These statistics weave a narrative of not just popularity but the shifting sands of collector trends.

In June alone, TCG and non-sport cards were 63% of total submissions across all grading companies, with PSA flexing its muscles by grading a whopping 911,000 cards in this category. Such figures left the combined sports card income of 743,000 in the dust, clearly delineating where collector interest lies.

CGC Cards, traditionally a staple in the card grading world, has seized the opportunity provided by Pokémon’s popularity. With 2.18 million cards graded so far in 2025, the company is on track to eclipse its numbers from 2024 entirely. Notably, about 1.8 million of these graded cards were TCG or non-sport, clearly illustrating the swing in consumer interest.

As CGC rides the Pokémon wave, Beckett, another titan in the grading space, appears to be on a downward trajectory. Beckett has handled only 366,000 cards in 2025, well below its rivals, of which 214,000 are TCG or Pokémon-related. This minor showing has seen Beckett slip to fourth place among its peers, highlighting a competitive space where adaptation is key.

PSA’s current boom can partly be credited to its strategic alignment with GameStop. Since this collaboration took off last October, over 1 million grading submissions have poured in, further propelling the Pokémon juggernaut.

On the retail front, Pokémon’s dominance is palpable. Shelves are frequently emptied as new releases hit the market, with retailers resorting to limits per customer to manage the overflowing demand. Pokémon’s allure shows no signs of waning, as fans of all ages continue to chase these cards with eagerness reminiscent of Ash Ketchum seeking to “catch ’em all.”

The collectibility of Pokémon cards and their newfound leading status in the grading space underline a broader cultural shift. What started as a niche hobby has burgeoned into a mainstream obsession, marrying nostalgia with modern-day hype, making the Pokémon trading card game a cultural and economic phenomenon of 2025. Whether you’re a die-hard Pokémon master or a newcomer lured in by the frenzy, the sheer scope and mania of the Pokémon card world will undoubtedly continue to enchant and captivate, resonating with an ever-growing audience worldwide.

Pokemon Cards Dominate Grading