Hours after Shohei Ohtani became the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in the same season, Topps announced a Topps NOW card celebrating the milestone.
The cards will be available for 24 hours only, ending Friday night, after which point no further cards will be printed.
RELATED STORIES:
- 'Took the ball from my hand': Inside the fight for Shohei Ohtani's $1m home run ball
- Shohei Ohtani becomes first to 50-50 with huge day: What is 50th HR ball worth?
- Shohei Ohtani rookie cards: A buying guide to Dodgers star's first collectibles
- Chase for LeBron, Curry, Durant triple auto card captivates hobby
- Topps NOW has winning formula with Curry, Messi dual autograph chase
This comes amid the success of the one-of-one triple autograph card featuring LeBron James, Step Curry and Kevin Durant, which the company promised in the form of a sweepstakes style giveaway for buyers of the base product, leading to record-breaking sales totals.
The same formula was used again earlier this week with a dual auto one-of-one card featuring Curry and Lionel Messi, once again promised to a lucky collector who purchased the base card.
With Ohtani’s historic milestone captivating the sports world and beyond, the company is doubling down on its chase card strategy. Topps is leveraging the virality of Ohtani’s 50th home run to not only provide Topps NOW collectors with a memento of the achievement, but also pique the interest of others who might not be as interested in the typical Topps NOW product but will be captivated by the chase card.
The card is inscribed below Ohtani’s signature: “50/50 CLUB 9/19/24” and features a “1/1” on its upper left corner.
As for the Olympic triple auto card, the card remains unclaimed. For whichever collector uncovers the redemption in his or her pack, the winner will have a bevy of bounties, buyers and auction houses lined up at their door.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct.