13-year-old finds rare free baseball card, sells it for $20,100

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 unusual her find was. However, other fans quickly noticed its rarity and approached her during the game with offers to buy it.

Her family decided against selling it immediately, choosing instead to understand its potential value.

From a free giveaway to a five-figure auction

Abby's family eventually listed the card on eBay, where interest from collectors grew rapidly. The auction attracted approximately 100 bids and closed at $20,100 on Sunday evening, August 30. The sale also placed the Jimothy card among the most valuable stadium giveaway collectibles. According to The Athletic, its price surpassed the $19,800 fetched by a limited-edition Los Angeles Dodgers card featuring the popular Japanese manga and anime franchise One Piece, which had sold earlier in the year.Abby's mother, Jessie Nino, said the family wanted to make a sensible decision with the unexpected windfall. The proceeds are intended to support her daughter's future, including her college education and potentially a home purchase. The sale also highlights how sports memorabilia can acquire considerable value when an item combines limited availability with an unexpected cultural phenomenon.

Who is Jimothy, the raccoon behind the collectible craze?

Jimothy is not a baseball player or a team mascot in the traditional sense.

The raccoon became an unlikely celebrity after videos and photographs of the animal roaming Seattle's Ballard neighbourhood began circulating online in July. What caught people's attention was his unusual appearance. Jimothy has a remarkably compact body and distinctive short spine, with his appearance believed to be associated with a rare condition called short spine syndrome.

Videos of the animal attracted millions of views, turning him into a local favourite and eventually an internet sensation.

The Mariners capitalised on the growing interest by organising dedicated Jimothy-themed events at the ballpark in August. Alongside the trading card giveaway, the team also offered special merchandise, including a themed T-shirt. A portion of the proceeds from a special ticket package was directed towards the Ballard Food Bank.For Abby, however, the biggest surprise came from a single card tucked into a giveaway sleeve. What began as a complimentary souvenir from a baseball game became a $20,100 collectible within weeks, demonstrating just how unpredictable the market for rare sports memorabilia can be.