In the world of sports card collecting, the year 2023 has been dominated by card-grading companies PSA and ISA. As the industry continues to thrive, PSA recently unveiled the top 10 athletes and cards based on submissions for the year. Topping the list is none other than MLB phenom Shohei Ohtani, who recently made headlines with his record-breaking $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ohtani’s cards, particularly his 2018 Topps #700 Pitching card, have become highly sought after, positioning him as the most submitted athlete to PSA in 2023. Impressively, Ohtani occupies four spots in the top 10 most graded sports cards of the year.
While Ohtani reigns supreme, basketball legend Michael Jordan maintains a prominent presence in card submissions. His 1990 Fleer card continues to captivate collectors, solidifying his spot in the top 10 athletes for 2023. The complete list includes familiar names like Julio Rodriguez, Trevor Lawrence, Joe Burrow, Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Ken Griffey Jr., and Patrick Mahomes II – each leaving their mark on the world of sports card collecting.
As for the most graded sports cards of 2023, Ohtani’s influence is undeniable, with multiple cards from his collection making the cut. His 2018 Bowman #49 and 2018 Topps Update US285 cards have become highly coveted by collectors. Other noteworthy cards in this list include the 2022 Bowman Chrome Prospects BCP50 featuring Elly De La Cruz and the 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr. Star Rookie card.
In the realm of football card submissions, two rising stars have gained significant momentum. Justin Fields, the talented quarterback for the Chicago Bears, has experienced a remarkable 119% increase in submissions compared to the previous year. Fields’ growing popularity among collectors is mirrored by the rise of Jacksonville Jaguars’ quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, who has seen a 98% surge in card submissions. Another player to note is Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce, whose submissions have seen notable growth — potentially driven by his high-profile relationship with music icon Taylor Swift.
Across the sports card industry, rookie cards reign supreme in grading submissions. Basketball enthusiasts have shown strong interest in Paolo Banchero and Victor Wembanyama’s rookie cards, while football fans have gravitated toward Kenny Pickett and Brock Purdy. In baseball, two emerging stars, Elly De La Cruz and Adley Rutschman, have dominated the rookie card submissions, capturing the attention of avid collectors.
As the sports card industry continues to thrive in 2023, the names on the top graded trading card list highlight the undeniable passion and excitement that collectors have for preserving these pieces of athletic history. Whether it’s Shohei Ohtani’s dominance, the enduring appeal of Michael Jordan, or the emerging talent in football and other sports, the ever-evolving landscape of trading card collecting ensures that there will always be something for fans and collectors to anticipate and cherish.
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