The Hobby’s Biggest Moments
It was a fun-filled, record-setting 2024 in The Hobby. We saw prices hit all-time highs for a game-used jersey and a historic home run ball. The card show circuit remains red hot as The National set an attendance record and the new, interactive Fanatics Fest entered the mix. We also had some young MLB prospects shine to ignite a frenzy with their card prices. And Fanatics looked to the future as it re-introduced football and basketball cards (Topps Chrome Football and Basketball are back!) to collectors.
RIPPED presents its top five moments, in no particular order, from 2024.
Fanatics Fest NYC
When Lance Fensterman stepped into the role of CEO for Fanatics Events, he had a crystal-clear vision. As the brainchild behind the San Diego Comic-Con, Fensterman sought to create a Comic-Con-style festival for card collectors and sports enthusiasts. Fanatics Fest NYC came to fruition with a three-day event in mid-August. The immersive, interactive festival brought over 300 athletes and celebrities, and over 70,000 fans to the Javits Center in Manhattan. Fensterman and his staff put on such a successful first Fanatics Fest NYC that it was named Trade Show News Network’s 2024 B2C Show of the Year. Next year’s event is already set for June 13-15 back at the Javits. Mark your calendars and get your tickets now.
The National in Cleveland was the place to be for collectors in July of this year. (Photo by Greg Bates)
National Sports Collectors Convention (The National)
Since the pandemic helped create the latest card boom, interest in the world’s largest card show continues to grow. The 2023 National in Rosemont, Illinois, broke the all-time attendance record. However, that mark only stood for one year. The 2024 show—with a new management group in charge—in Cleveland featured over 500,000 square feet of floor space; attendance hit six figures again to set a new all-time high. The National is the place to be for collectors. The 2025 event will return to its familiar location, the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. It is scheduled for July 30-August 3.
Babe Ruth’s “Called Shot” jersey from the 1932 World Series was displayed at Heritage Auctions’ booth at this year’s National. (Photo by Greg Bates)
Ruth’s “Called Shot” Jersey
Babe Ruth hit 714 regular-season home runs. However, his blast in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series is his most famous dinger—the “Called Shot.” It’s been up for debate if the New York Yankees’ slugger actually called a home run, despite video evidence of him pointing to the outfield at Wrigley Field before his swing. Regardless of whether he did, it’s one of MLB’s top moments of all time. Ruth’s jersey in that remarkable game between the Yankees and Chicago Cubs was sold through Heritage Auctions for $24.12 million in August. That almost doubled the previous record price for a sports memorabilia piece. A 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle graded SGC 9.5 sold in August 2022 for $12.6 million. The sale of the Ruth jersey sets a new, extremely high bar for future memorabilia and card sales.
Return of Topps Chrome Football and Basketball
This year marked a triumphant return of two staples in The Hobby: Topps Chrome Football and Basketball. The 2023 Topps Composite Football product features the first Chrome cards since 2015. Nothing is better than having a C.J. Stroud Topps Chrome rookie card or a vintage Barry Sanders streaking across a card. As for basketball, the 2023/24 set is Topps’ first hoops cards since the 2009-10 product, which featured Steph Curry’s baby-faced rookie. Of course, this year’s release highlights rookie star Victor Wembanyama. The San Antonio Spurs big man looks great on a Topps Chrome card with the patented RC logo. Having back Topps Chrome Football and Basketball is fabulous for The Hobby.
Ohtani’s Historic 50-50 Season
When Shohei Ohtani blasted his 50th home run on September 19, the Los Angeles Dodgers slugger entered the record books. Creating the 50-50 club—he had stolen his 50th base earlier in the game against the Florida Marlins¬—made Ohtani’s impact in The Hobby even greater than it already was. That’s hard to fathom since the Japanese star has massive worldwide appeal. Ohtani’s 50-50 season spawned a Topps NOW® card that sold 653,737 copies, the highest print run in Topps NOW® history. Ontarian Alex Housego pulled the autographed Superfractor copy. The 50th home run ball sold at auction for a record $4.392 million. That sets a new standard price for home run balls.
