Is Aaron Judge suddenly the most popular active athlete among collectors?

Aaron Judge’s historic season — 62 homers, 131 RBI, a .331 average — will result in a historic payday for the slugging outfielder. For now, it’s putting some spike into Judge memorabilia. 

He may be the most popular active athlete today.

Last time out in this space, we went deep on his rookie cards, among other popular items. The momentum has only escalated since he set the American League home run record. A quick look at our Top 10 chart (see below) gives you one example: a 2013 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor that sold for $70,100. It was one of only five produced.

Also See: Fan who caught Judge record home run ball offered big payday 

Other big prices paid in the past month:

• $26,600 on 101 bids for a 2013 signed Bowman Chrome Blue Wave (marked #1/50 and graded BGS 10)

• $19,099 on 46 bids for a 2013 signed Bowman Chrome (marked #7/35 and graded BGS 9.5)

• $18,101 on 82 bids for a 2017 signed Topps insert designed after the company’s 1987 look (marked #1/1 and graded PSA 10).

Then there’s the pair of signed Judge batting gloves that drew $14,100. These one-of-a-kind items, when listed on eBay in October, drew a crowd, inspiring 84 bids.

Also See: Trout, Brady, LeBron rookies to test modern card market 

Judge wore the gloves on Jackie Robinson Day in April 2019; the logo is from two years earlier, dating the gloves to 2017. Judge later signed both gloves on the palms in black Sharpie. The gloves were authenticated by Fanatics. They went to the winning bidder with a desirable add-on to the lot: a certificate of authenticity signed by Judge himself. 

Through 10/08/22

1. $89,900 on 27 bids: 2017 Panini National Treasures Patrick Mahomes II, #30/99, auto patch (BGS 9, auto 10)

2. $75,999 on 47 bids: 2020 Panini National Treasures Justin Herbert, #16/99, auto patch (BGS 9.5, auto 10)

3. $70,100 on 105 bids: 2013 Bowman Chrome Aaron Judge Red Refractor, Black Label, #3/5 (BGS 10)

4. $63,200 on 89 bids: 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle (PSA 3)

5. $60,100 on 107 bids: 2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady Rookie Ticket (BGS 9, auto 10)

6. $41,985 on 32 bids: 1973-74 Topps Wilt Chamberlain (PSA 10)

7. $35,600 on 63 bids: 2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady Rookie Ticket, auto (BGS 8.5, auto 10)

8. $35,100 on 62 bids: 2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady Rookie Ticket, auto (BGS 8.5, auto 10)

9. $34,958 on 30 bids: 1973-74 Topps Jerry West (PSA 10)

10. $34,450 on 34 bids: 2020 Panini Flawless Justin Herbert Sapphire, #10/10, auto, two patches (BGS 9.5, auto 10)

The real tease among the next 10 cards outside our Top 10 is the unopened 1975 Topps baseball box. Who knows what treasures lurk in those 36 sealed wax packs?

A George Brett rookie, which in Gem-Mint condition could sell for more than $100,00? (Heritage sold two Brett 10s for prices of $186,000 and $162,000 in 2021.)

A Robin Yount rookie, which could approach six figures if graded 10? (One sold at Heritage for $102,000 in 2021.)

A Mike Schmidt second-year card, which can sell for upwards of $25,00 in Gem-Mint condition?

A Hank Aaron card picturing the slugger with his new team, the Brewers, after leaving the Braves? (Aaron’s second-to-last player card can exceed $10,000 if in 10 condition.)

Only the buyer will know — if he or she chooses to crack open the sealed packs. Otherwise, it’ll be a mystery that only baseball card collectors truly appreciate.

On to the next batch of items outside our Top 10 chart:

• $31,100 on 35 bids: 2000 Bowman Chrome Tom Brady Refractor (BGS 8.5)

• $28,200 on 46 bids: 2020 Topps Chrome Formula 1 sealed 12-box hobby case

• $26,600 on 101 bids: 2013 Bowman Chrome Aaron Judge Blue Wave, #1/50, auto (BGS 10, auto 10)

• $24,866 on 66 bids: 2000 Bowman Chrome Tom Brady, auto, secondary market (PSA 10, auto PSA/DNA 10)

• $23,100 on 21 bids: 1984-85 Star Michael Jordan (PSA 7)

• $22,884 on 43 bids: 1973-74 Topps Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (PSA 10)

• $22,100 on 46 bids: 1975 Topps baseball sealed wax box (BBCE)

• $21,830 on 54 bids: 1996-97 Topps Chrome Kobe Bryant (PSA 9)

• $20,322 on 32 bids: 2000 Upper Deck Wayne Gretzky Master Collection, #1/9, auto patch (PSA 9)

• $19,405 on 30 bids: 2008 Panini National Treasures football sealed four-box case