Shohei Ohtani's Baseball Cards Surge Amid Dodgers' Historic Back-to-Back Titles

Card collecting is a time-honored tradition for all of the Big Four sports in North America, but it all started with baseball, and the hobby's still alive and well in the sport. Thanks to Shohei Ohtani, it's arguably never thrived more.

Card collecting remains an integral part of North American sports culture, with its roots deeply embedded in baseball. The phenomenon has recently experienced unprecedented growth, largely fueled by Shohei Ohtani’s soaring popularity and exceptional performance. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers have made headlines by winning back-to-back World Series titles, marking a historic achievement with memorable player contributions. Additionally, ESPN is highlighting the worldwide significance of youth baseball through an upcoming documentary on the Little League World Series.

Key points: - Shohei Ohtani’s baseball card values have surged drastically, tripling since 2023 and gaining increased attention in 2025. - The Los Angeles Dodgers secured their second consecutive World Series championship in 2025, the first team to repeat as champions in 25 years. - Pitcher Will Smith has been part of six consecutive World Series-winning teams, capturing three titles with the Dodgers. - Key Dodgers players including Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Clayton Kershaw, and Will Smith have contributed to multiple championship wins. - ESPN will premiere “Big Dreams: Little League World Series 2024,” celebrating the tradition and impact of youth baseball in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

The resurgence of baseball card collecting: Shohei Ohtani’s impact

Baseball card collecting has grown increasingly resonant within the sports memorabilia market, with the hobby tracing back to the inception of the sport’s commercial promotion. While rookie cards are released annually by companies like Topps, their value traditionally drops over time. However, Shohei Ohtani has reversed this trend. Since joining the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023 and especially following the 2024 Dodgers-Yankees World Series, Ohtani’s card values have surged to unprecedented levels. According to the Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), his card values more than doubled after the 2024 World Series and tripled compared to when he first signed with the Dodgers.

In addition to milestone events such as his third consecutive Most Valuable Player (MVP) award and the Dodgers' second straight World Series title, Ohtani’s unique dual-threat talent as both a pitcher and hitter has captivated fans and collectors alike. One of his highest-valued cards, a rare 1/1 featuring his autograph and an MLB logo patch from the pants worn the night he achieved the 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases milestone, sold for over $1 million—making it the 10th-most expensive baseball card ever sold.

Even Ohtani’s base rookie card from the 2018 Topps Series 2 commands up to $80 ungraded, with graded and variant editions appreciating exponentially. PSA reports that Ohtani was the most graded MLB player in the 2025 regular season, with over 88,000 cards certified, positioning him as the No. 2 most collected baseball player behind Ken Griffey Jr. He is reportedly less than 100,000 cards away from becoming the most collected baseball player of all time.

Collecting enthusiasts are encouraged to search for Ohtani rookie cards as the market momentum shows no signs of slowing.

Dodgers’ historic back-to-back World Series championship

The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched their second consecutive World Series championship in 2025 by defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in a thrilling seven-game series. This marks the franchise’s ninth World Series title and the first repeat championship in Major League Baseball since the New York Yankees achieved a three-peat from 1998 to 2000.

The victory was notable for the contributions of several USA Baseball alumni, including Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Clayton Kershaw, and Will Smith. Michael Conforto also played during the regular season but was not included in the postseason roster.

Will Smith's unprecedented World Series streak

Pitcher Will Smith achieved a rare milestone by participating in six consecutive World Series-winning teams from 2020 through 2025, accruing three titles with the Dodgers. His journey began with the Dodgers’ 2020 championship during his first full MLB season. He went on to win with the Atlanta Braves (2021), Houston Astros (2022), and Texas Rangers (2023) before rejoining the Dodgers for the 2024 and 2025 titles.

Smith’s 2025 World Series performance was particularly heroic, including a decisive go-ahead home run in the 11th inning of Game 7 against Toronto. Defensively, he broke a 122-year-old record for the most innings caught in a single World Series, catching 74 innings across all seven games.

Other key Dodgers players’ contributions

• Mookie Betts, the only active player with four World Series titles, provided critical offensive and defensive plays, including a pivotal two-run single to level the 2025 series in Game 6, and a game-ending double play in the 11th inning of Game 7.
• Freddie Freeman earned his third career World Series ring, distinguished by a walk-off home run in the historic 18-inning Game 3 — marking the first time a player has hit two career World Series walk-off home runs.
• Clayton Kershaw concluded his 18-year illustrious career with his third World Series title, having contributed crucial innings in the marathon Game 3 battle of the 2025 series.

The Dodgers’ 2025 victory was celebrated with commemorative page prints available for fans, underscoring the monumental nature of their recent achievements.

“Big Dreams: Little League World Series 2024” documentary premiere

ESPN will debut “Big Dreams: Little League World Series 2024” on August 12, 2025, featuring a comprehensive look at the legendary youth baseball tournament held annually in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Directed by Rudy Valdez and produced by Imagine Documentaries alongside Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios and MLB Studios, the film delves into the lives of young athletes competing on the global stage.

For nearly 80 years, the Little League World Series (LLWS) has been a pinnacle event symbolizing hope, teamwork, and the spirit of competition for children worldwide. The documentary captures the emotional highs and lows, friendships formed, and transformative experiences that define the tournament.

Notable storylines include the journey of championship teams such as Lake Mary (Fla.) LL, Kuei-Shan LL (Chinese Taipei), Matamoros (Mexico) LL, and Hinsdale (Ill.) LL. The film emphasizes how sports foster community and personal growth beyond just the game outcomes.

Executives from Little League International and DICK’S Sporting Goods praise the documentary for showcasing the program’s enduring impact and inspiring younger generations to pursue their dreams through baseball.

In summary, baseball continues to demonstrate its cultural and economic significance through various lenses—from the escalating value of Shohei Ohtani’s collectible cards to the Dodgers’ historic achievements, and the enduring celebration of youth baseball’s global reach via the Little League World Series documentary. The sport's rich traditions and evolving narratives remain captivating for players, collectors, and fans alike.