Artwork
Ohtani Magic: Topps Chrome ‘Sho Time’ Alter Ego Superhero card tops six figures at auction
Superstar Shohei Ohtani has become a baseball superhero, performing super-human feats no one has displayed since Babe Ruth 100 hundred years ago.
Ohtani has used his otherworldly skills to conjure up a magical career, hitting and pitching the L.A. Dodgers to two straight World Series championships, all while winning four MLB MVPs by age 31.
Ohtani has displayed his magic on the baseball card market as well, becoming the most collectible player in the hobby. On Jan. 23, a 2025 Topps Chrome Update Ohtani “Sho Time” Alter Ego Superheroes #1/1 card, which shows Ohtani in a top hot and white gloves and wielding a samurai sword, sold for $105,000 at Fanatics Collect.
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The comic book-style card was part of a subset designed by artist Michael Blaskewicz. The Alter Ego Superheroes insert set features 10 players as larger-than-life superheroes.
The subset includes: Ohtani as the magician and sword-wielding “Sho Time;” Rickey Henderson, “Man of Steal;” Frank Thomas, “Big Hurt;” Ozzie Smith, “Wizard;” Cal Ripken Jr., “The Iron Man;” Jasson Dominguez, “The Martian;” Aaron Judge, “All Rise;” Pete Alonso, “Polar Bear;” Francisco Lindor, “Mr. Smile;” Ronald Acuña Jr., “La Bestia.”
According to recent Market Movers data, the average raw, ungraded Alter Ego Superheroes card for each player were: Ohtani ($5,042); Judge ($3,452); Henderson ($1,765); Thomas ($1,544); and Acuña ($803). Each card has a #1/1 Superfractor.
The cards are rare and tough pulls, with 1:4,074 hobby packs, or 1:203.7 boxes (1:17 cases). The #1/1 Superfractors have hobby pack odds of 1:389,424.
The Alter Ego Superheroes cards have become one of the most popular subsets from Topps Chrome Baseball. Will Topps create similar subsets for Topps Basketball and other sports?
