Baseball card collecting has been around since the 19th century. What originally started as a form of advertising grew into a multi-million dollar industry that still exists today. Opening packs of baseball cards and searching for a favorite player or rare card has become a widespread and popular hobby in the baseball community.
The chances of finding a card featuring a future Baseball Hall of Fame member, especially his signed rookie card, are extremely slim. Finding your own signed rookie card is nearly impossible, but one lucky MLB legend managed to do it.
While Angels veteran Mike Trout was opening packs of baseball cards with his son, the 2012 American League Rookie of the Year found his own signed rookie baseball card. Not only did he find the card, but according to the viral video he shared online, Trout only had to open one pack of cards to hit the jackpot.
“We need a big Trout card,” Trout said to his three-year-old son Beckham before opening the first deck of cards. To which Beckham replied, “I think so, Dad.”
“I believe it, Dad”
Mike Trout and his son went in search of Trout’s biggest card. You have to see what they pulled 🤯
(Above: @MikeTrout on TikTok) pic.twitter.com/ArhDmVFNxH
— MLB (@MLB) 15 August 2024
Trout ripped open the deck and flipped through a few cards before widening his eyes at the rookie card.
“No way, dude, no way!” Trout shouted. “Let’s go! We just did it. We just did a monster! Let’s go, baby!”
Beckham beamed with joy when he saw how excited his father was about the baseball card. He even suggested keeping the rare collectible in a protective case, likely a habit he learned from his father.
The card Trout and his son found was the 2009 Bowman Draft Chrome First Auto, his first official signed card. On Ebay.com, the card sells for prices as high as $8,000. The Refractor version of this card goes for nearly $100,000, while a used SuperFractor version of the card sells for $750,000 on Ebay.com.
Many baseball collectors would immediately see dollar signs upon finding this rare gem. However, for the Trout duo, finding this card will be a lasting memory and a reminder of the pastime they enjoy together.
It’s touching to see Trout pass on a hobby that likely stems from his own childhood to his son, especially since, as one of the highest-paid MLB players, he has the wherewithal to simply buy any baseball card directly from the reseller.
Maybe it was Beckham’s simple cuteness in his faith or the heartwarming moment of father-son bonding that contributed to Trout’s happiness.
