📈 World Series MVP Freddie Freeman has seen his card market surge

Already an MVP, a Gold Glove winner, an eight-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger, Freddie Freeman added World Series MVP and two-time champion to his Hall of Fame résumé following the Dodgers' comeback win over the Yankees on Wednesday night in the Bronx.

Despite all of his on-field success, Freeman has never captured the interest of card collectors at large — until now, at least.

⚾️ Why the team-signed World Series ball is a relic of history

Full-team signed baseballs were once a staple for World Series champions, but they are now essentially obsolete.

⚾️ Willie Mays' final home run bat surfaces 51 years later

Willie Mays used a teammate’s bat to his 660th and final career home run.

That teammate kept it for decades, largely unknown to the collecting community.

Until last month. Now, it could sell for as high as $350,000.

🎭️ Cards with cameos: From Menendez brothers to Drake to Trump

While the overwhelming majority of sports cards are purchased for the player featured on the front, it’s not uncommon for celebrities and other personalities to make their way into the backgrounds.

From recording artists and politicians to convicted murderers, here are 11 cards known for their guest appearances.

💫 Obscure 'Star Wars' Kenner figure could fetch $50k

One of the most valuable “Star Wars” figures in the collecting world features a character even the most die-hard fans have likely never heard of: Vlix.

The story of the rarest commercially released “Star Wars” toys in history.

🐭 Mickey Mouse 2023 Topps Chrome card sells for record $500,000

A Mickey Mouse trading card sold for $500,000 on Wednesday, setting an all-time record for any Disney card sold publicly.

💍 Bobby Witt Jr. uses custom cards as groomsmen invitations

MLB star and well-known card collector Bobby Witt Jr. used custom baseball cards to invite his groomsmen to his wedding. But this isn't the first baseball card wedding invitation: Billy Ripken sent his groomsmen autographed copies of his infamous F-Face cards as gifts.

💰️ Buyer of Shohei Ohtani's 50th HR ball exempt from tariffs

Taiwanese investment firm UC Capital, which won the record-breaking $4.392 million auction for Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball earlier this month, will be exempt from paying standard customs duties due to the ball's historical significance.

🗣️ MLB files to trademark 'Gibby meet Freddie' for use on apparel

MLB Advanced Media, the media arm of Major League Baseball, filed a trademark for the phrase “Gibby meet Freddie” with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for apparel Monday.

But do announcer Joe Davis, Kirk Gibson, or Freddie Freeman have any rights to the phrase?

🏆️ Ted Williams' 1946 AL MVP Award highlights auction from Splendid Splinter's collection

Ted Williams’ 1946 American League Most Valuable Player Award carries a pre-sale estimate of $150,000-$300,000. In 2012, the sale of Williams' MVP Award from his 1949 season fetched nearly $300,000.

Thanks for reading, we’ll see you on Monday