Shohei Ohtani being an all-time unique player is what will make his MLB cards value be an interesting thing to follow. With that said, there's another aspect to his MLB cards that are as interesting, if not downright hilariously, but we'll get into the plight of Shohei Ohtani in a minute.
Along with basketball and football, baseball is another sport that’s right at the forefront of the recent card boom. Some would even say that this portion of the hobby has been established around a century ago when Babe Ruth first played for the Major Leagues.
Since then, a lot of great names have played ball over the years and got featured on their own trading cards. Unfortunately, some of these guys have signatures that will certainly raise a few eyebrows. We take a look below at five of the worst-looking autographs found on baseball cards. And yes, that includes Shohei Ohtani.
Derek Jeter
When talking about the New York Yankees, one of the big names that come to mind is no other than Derek Jeter. With a career that almost spans two decades, the 14-time All-Star is the franchise leader in games played, hits, and doubles, among others. While his list of accomplishments is definitely something to be proud of, his autographed cards are a different matter.
Just take his 2005 Upper Deck Artifacts Auto 1/1 with his signature inscribed on the card itself. One look at it and any collector will end up dizzy following all of the twirls and curves of Jeter’s signature. Plus, it doesn’t even resemble his name at all. Nevertheless, this One of One beautify is still worth a lot when it recently sold for $1,300 on eBay recently.
Hank Aaron
Those who collect baseball cards would never pass on the opportunity to get some Hank Aaron stock. In a career that started in 1954 and lasted until 1976, the legend did it all on the field. Having won numerous awards and achieved countless records also cemented Aaron’s legacy in the hobby, especially after he passed away earlier this year.
On the other hand, Aaron’s on-card signature is far from his impact on the field. Just by taking a look at one his of autographed cards – a Topps Tribute One of One Plate – and you’ll see how rough and rudimentary the signature is. Nevertheless, this monster card still fetched $1,000 in the market.
Wander Franco
As compared to other entries in this list, Wander Franco’s career is still starting out in the MLB. In fact, it just began last month when he signed up with the Tampa Bay Rays and got his first hit in the Major Leagues against the Boston Red Sox. It was a captivating debut for Franco after spending the last couple of years in the Minor Leagues.
Too bad, though, that the signature that comes with this moment doesn’t live up to expectations. Like Aaron before him, Franco’s signature lacks the flair and style that makes it look good on an autographed card. Proof of this can be found in his 2021 Topps Now Auto Base Relic /99, which was recently sold for $721.
Nick Madrigal
Just last month, news came out that Nick Madrigal tore his hamstring, causing him to miss the rest of the season. This is unfortunate because the 24-year old rookie has been playing well for the Chicago White Sox by scoring 30 runs and driving in 21 over the course of 54 games. Collectors would have to wait for next season to fully realize Madrigal’s stock in the card market.
His on-card signature, though, is a different story altogether. Madrigal’s 2021 Topps Inception Rookie Patch Auto Booklet contains one and it doesn’t resemble a conventional signature at all. Fortunately, the card itself is a hot one with it selling for $1,525 on eBay.
Shohei Ohtani
In just a few years, Shohei Ohtani has ascended to become one of baseball’s biggest stars. After showcasing a two-way game that resembles that of the legendary babe Ruth, and becoming the first Japanese player to participate in the Home Run Derby, his stock in the card has soared.
Ohtani’s signature, meanwhile, isn’t as enticing as one would hope. Just glancing at his 2018 Topps Now Auto card, the signature inscribed on it looks like a combination of zigzags and swirls, which looks nothing close to his name. It’s a good thing Ohtani’s cards are very in demand, which makes this a small issue in the long run.
While signatures don’t matter much in the grand scheme of things, getting a well-inscribed one on an autographed card is definitely a plus. Better take a good look at your pulls or when shopping online so you can get the ideal baseball auto card as much as possible.
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