Sometimes the stars align in the best way imaginable. At Fanatics Fest in New York, a young baseball fan found exactly what he was looking for: a Shohei Ohtani rookie card. He was assisted by actress Emma Roberts in his pursuit, as she helped rip open some packs.
SI.com’s Julio Munar noted that this moment captured how mainstream celebrities are getting involved in card collecting. Roberts wasn’t just posing for photos, though. She’s become a legitimate part of the hobby community.
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The Golden Pack Moment at Fanatics Fest
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Roberts approached a booth with two young fans, ready to tear into packs of 2018 Topps Archives baseball cards. They were looking for a few different cards, but when it came to Ohtani, they wanted an Angels rookie card.
As documented in Topps’ Instagram video (which you can see above), Roberts let one of the kids choose which pack to open first. While Roberts’ pack came up empty, the young fan found exactly what he was looking for.
Emma Roberts: From Hollywood to Hobby Royalty
This wasn’t Roberts’ first rodeo in the card-collecting world. The actress has been quietly building her reputation as a hobbyist since late 2024 while dropping hints on social media.
Her collecting journey includes some serious pulls, too. She’s shared a One-of-One Topps Star Wars Galaxy sketch card featuring Emperor Palpatine. Roberts has also been spotted ripping 2024 Bowman Chrome baseball megaboxes, proving she’s not just dabbling but going all-in on the hobby.
Perhaps the most endearing and relatable mishap was when her partner accidentally knocked a Dylan Crews Topps Bowman Chrome Gladiators case hit right out of her hands. That moment showed she understands the emotional rollercoaster every collector experiences when discovering valuable cards.
During Fanatics Fest’s “Ready. Set. Collect.” panel, Roberts joined Tom Brady and Logan Paul to discuss the hobby’s explosive growth. Her presence alongside these two shows just how mainstream card collecting has become.
Understanding the Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card Market
The specific card pulled at Fanatics Fest – the 2018 Topps Archives Ohtani rookie – represents solid value in today’s market. Raw copies currently trade for around $55, making it an excellent pull. However, the real excitement comes with graded versions.
A PSA 10 gem mint example commands about $300, representing a significant premium that reflects both Ohtani’s superstar status and the card’s condition sensitivity. For the young fan who now owns this card, this creates an interesting crossroads: does he keep it raw as a cherished memory, submit it for grading to potentially maximize value, or simply enjoy owning a piece of baseball history?
Shohei Ohtani rookie cards continue maintaining strong market performance, driven by his excellence in the batter’s box and on the pitcher’s mound, as well as his recent move to the Los Angeles Dodgers. His 2024 season, which included his first World Series title and MLB’s first ever 50-50 campaign, has only solidified his position as one of baseball’s most collectible superstars.
The Celebrity Effect on Modern Card Collecting
Roberts’ involvement reveals a fascinating trend going on in the hobby. When A-list celebrities authentically embrace collecting, it creates ripple effects throughout the entire community.
Celebrity participation brings mainstream media attention, introduces new collectors to the hobby, and validates what longtime enthusiasts have always known: cards represent more than just cardboard and statistics. They’re pieces of history, emotional connections, and sometimes incredible investments.
The Fanatics Fest moment perfectly shows off this evolution. A Hollywood actress helping a young fan discover the thrill of the pull creates a story that resonates far beyond traditional hobby circles. It shows collecting is for anyone who appreciates the magic of uncertainty and the joy of discovery.
For that young collector, pulling his Ohtani rookie card created quite a core memory. Whether he decides to grade it, sell it, or keep it forever, the experience itself has already delivered value that can’t be measured. Sometimes the best pulls aren’t just about the cards. They’re about the moments that make collecting truly special.
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