A free baseball card handed out at a Seattle Mariners game has turned into an unexpectedly valuable collectible, earning a 13-year-old fan $20,100 at an online auction. Abby, a young baseball enthusiast from the Seattle area, had no idea that the card she received featured an extremely rare edition of a local internet sensation. According to reporting by The Seattle Times, republished by The Spokesman-Review, and additional coverage by People and MyNorthwest, the one-of-a-kind gold card featuring Jimothy, a viral Seattle raccoon, attracted 100 bids before selling on eBay on August 30, 2026. The unusual collectible was part of a special promotion organised by the Mariners at T-Mobile Park on August 5, when the team played the Detroit Tigers. The first 20,000 fans entering the stadium received a Jimothy-themed baseball trading card, turning the game into an opportunity for supporters to take home a piece of Seattle's latest internet craze. Among the thousands of cards distributed was a single gold edition, making it a one-of-one collectible. Abby happened to receive that particular card. She was initially unaware of just how…
13-year-old finds rare free baseball card, sells it for $20,100
In short
Seattle resident Abby received a trading card featuring Jimothy, a local raccoon with short spine syndrome, during an August 5 Seattle Mariners game against the Detroit Tigers. The item turned out to be the promotion's singular one-of-one gold edition, which attracted in-stadium offers before Abby's family placed it on eBay. The auction generated around 100 bids before closing at $20,100, surpassing a previous record set by a Los Angeles Dodgers promotional card. Abby's mother confirmed the total proceeds will be saved for the teenager's future educational costs and home purchase.
Key points
- The $20,100 sale price surpassed the previous $19,800 benchmark established by a Los Ange…: The $20,100 sale price surpassed the previous $19,800 benchmark established by a Los Angeles Dodgers promotional card.
- The Seattle Mariners incorporated the viral animal craze into stadium events and directed…: The Seattle Mariners incorporated the viral animal craze into stadium events and directed select ticket proceeds to the Ballard Food Bank.
- All proceeds from the eBay auction will be saved to fund Abby's future higher education a…: All proceeds from the eBay auction will be saved to fund Abby's future higher education and a potential home purchase.