via Imago
Image Credits: Imago
via Imago
Image Credits: Imago
Shohei Ohtani isn’t just a powerhouse on the field; his charm and massive fan following create lines for his merch that stretch for miles. Recently, he broke another record, but this time, it was shattered by someone who admires him—Elly De La Cruz, the rising star from the Cincinnati Reds. On Tuesday night in Harlem, the sale of an Ohtani baseball card kicked off the ‘Holy Grails’ auction, which was special in itself.
It marked off the first live auction collaboration between Fanatics Collect, the collectibles arm of a global sports giant, and Sotheby’s. Ohtani’s one-of-a-kind 2018 Topps Chrome Sapphire Autographs Superfractor rookie card went for a mind-blowing $336,000, surpassing his previous records as well. But hold on, because Elly De La Cruz just broke Ohtani’s record with a staggering sale of his own. Can you guess how much?
Elly De La Cruz is on a powerful streak just like Shohei Ohtani
As per athletic’s post Elly De La Cruz’s 2022 Bowman Chrome 1st Bowman Prospect Autograph Superfractor just shattered expectations, selling for a whopping $360,000. With his incredible gameplay and powerful streak, it’s no wonder he was able to do this. Shohei Ohtani is undeniably unstoppable this season, but Elly De La Cruz is busy cementing his own legacy, too. Did you know he’s the fastest runner in baseball, leads the league with 65 steals, and is by far the fastest-rising star in the sport today?
As we roll into the final week of the 2024 season, Elly De La Cruz is sporting some impressive numbers under his hat. The shortstop is currently hitting .261, boasting an on-base percentage of .343 and a slugging percentage of .476. With 25 home runs and 74 RBIs, talk about making those cards worth every penny. And there are records the 22-year-old has already set. Rising through the minor leagues, a remarkable transition to the MLB has taken place. Elly is the first shortstop in MLB history with 25 or more home runs, 65 or more stolen bases in a season, and so much more.
What ties both of the shortstops together?
Additionally, this rising star is only the fourth player since 2000 to rack up 90 or more combined home runs and stolen bases in a single season. He is also tied at 90 with José Reyes’s mark from 2007. The 22-year-old is only behind Shohei Ohtani’s 108 this season. And undeniably, Elly loves Ohtani’s company a bit too much. Did you know he started learning Japanese just to connect better with his idol? While the Dodgers’ shortstop is fluent in English, conversing in Japanese feels like home for him. Elly has been mindful of that.
Even though Elly’s card topped, Dodgers shortstop Ohtani’s card still holds its ground, surpassing the previous record of $312,000 for an Ohtani trading card set in December 2021. And get this—the same card that sold Tuesday night went for just $62,730 in October 2021 and a mere $4,800 back in May 2019. It’s clear: every season, his popularity skyrockets. Speaking of notable card auctions, a one-of-a-kind 2005-06 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual Logoman Autographs card featuring both Michael Jordan and Julius Erving just sold for a staggering $780,000.
Coming back to baseball, many factors tie both shortstops together – powerful streak and fan love for merch are just two of the list. While it’s evident that the 2024 season for Elly has been great, the main question is: Will Elly De La Cruz manage to sustain this early rise into long-term baseball stardom just like his idol? It looks promising right now, but the Cincinnati Reds have to stay steady. What do you think? Share below.
Debate
Is Elly De La Cruz the next big thing in MLB, or just a flash in the pan?