Pat Neshek once pulled a Shohei Ohtani 1/1 Red Ink autograph from a pack of Topps Heritage and did exactly what any sane person would do. He sold it. For over $6,000.
But here is the thing about pat neshek baseball cards—the man isn't just a subject on the cardboard; he's probably a bigger nerd about the hobby than you are. He’s the guy who spent over a decade trying to build the highest-graded 1970 Topps set in existence. We’re talking about a Major League pitcher who used to check his eBay auctions in the clubhouse between innings.
If you're looking for a common relief pitcher's cards to flip for a fortune, you might be disappointed. But if you want to understand one of the weirdest, most dedicated crossover stories in sports history, you have to look at how Neshek treated his own cards and the cards of everyone he played against.
Why Pat Neshek Baseball Cards Are Different
Most pro athletes don't care about their cards. They sign a contract with Topps, scribble a thousand stickers while sitting on their couch, and never think about it again. Neshek? He’s different.
Honestly, he’s a purist. He doesn't just collect; he curates. For years, he ran a deal where fans could send him any autographed card of a professional player, and he’d send back one of his own signed cards. No catch. Just a trade. He has amassed a collection of over 50,000 autographed cards.
Because he is so active in the community, the market for his cards is strangely stable. You aren't buying a future Hall of Famer's rookie card. You're buying a piece of a guy who is the unofficial ambassador of the hobby.
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The Rookie Cards You Actually Want
When people talk about his "best" cards, they usually point to 2006.
- 2006 Upper Deck #1116: This is the big one for his Twins era. It’s a classic rookie card.
- 2006 Topps '52 #7: A gorgeous throwback style that fits Neshek's vintage obsession perfectly.
- 2007 Topps #29: While technically not his "rookie" year, this card has a Platinum 1/1 version and a Copper parallel numbered to 56. These are the ghosts collectors hunt for in old hobby boxes.
Varying your search is key. If you find a 2018 Topps Living Set Pat Neshek (#60), it’s not going to pay off your mortgage, but in a PSA 10, it’s a clean, high-end piece of modern history.
The 1970 Topps Obsession
You can't talk about his cardboard legacy without mentioning the 1970 Topps set. It’s his white whale.
He didn't just want the cards; he wanted them in Gem Mint 10. The 1970 set is notoriously difficult because of those gray borders. They show every single nick and chip. Neshek spent ten years buying, grading, and trading to get his registry set to a 9.7 average.
It’s kind of wild to think about. A guy with a 2.82 career ERA spending his off-days arguing with PSA over the centering on a Billy Grabarkewitz card. But that’s who he is.
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The Infamous Autograph Policy
He’s been known to call out other players who don't sign. Remember the Zack Greinke incident? Neshek publicly blasted him for refusing to sign for fans and collectors.
This transparency makes pat neshek baseball cards a "good vibes" investment. You know the guy on the card respects the person holding it. He’s been on message boards like SportsCollectors.net for years. He uses a pen name to send mail to other players to get their autographs back because he knows some guys won't sign for a peer.
Basically, he’s one of us.
Value and Rarity: What to Look For
Most of his cards are "commons" in the financial sense, but there are exceptions:
- Low-Numbered Autographs: Anything from Allen & Ginter or Topps Heritage.
- Printing Plates: Since he’s a collector, he has been known to hunt down his own 1/1 printing plates.
- Topps Heritage Variations: He loves the Heritage line, and his SP (short print) cards from 2017 are favorites among set builders.
The 2018 Topps Archives Fan Favorites Gold Foil Autograph (#FFA-PN) has recently moved for nearly $200. That’s a lot for a middle reliever. It speaks to his reputation, not just his stats.
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How to Handle Your Collection
If you've got some Neshek cards, don't just toss them in a shoe box.
First, check if they are signed. A "hard-signed" card (where he actually touched the cardboard, not a sticker) is always more desirable. He has a very consistent, legible signature.
Second, look for the parallels. The 2019 Topps Chrome Sapphire Edition (Orange or Purple) is a stunning card that has a small but fierce following.
Don't overthink the "investment" side. Collect Neshek because he represents the bridge between the field and the card shop. He’s the guy who proved you can be an All-Star and still get excited about a mail day.
If you want to get your own cards signed, he has historically been great through his PO Box in Melbourne Beach, FL. Just make sure you include a SASE (Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope). He’s a stickler for the rules of the hobby.
Go through your 2007 Topps Series 1 stacks. Look for card #29. If you see a weird border color or a different texture, you might have one of the rare parallels he used to chase himself.
Next Steps for Collectors
- Check the PSA Registry: Look up the "Neshek Collection" to see what a world-class 1970 set actually looks like.
- Search eBay for "Neshek Auto": You can often find his certified autographs for under $25, which is a steal for an All-Star with his story.
- Verify your 2006 Rookies: Use a loupe to check the corners on your 2006 Upper Deck #1116; these are prone to whitening.