According to OptaStats, Grisham became the first MLB player from any team to hit 15 or more home runs in a 50-game span without recording any extra-base hits, a feat last accomplished by Mantle in 1958 when he hit 21 home runs without doubles or triples in that stretch.

Grisham’s recent games have seen him hit only home runs, bringing his total to 33 for the season with the Yankees. This extends his career high for a regular season, surpassing his previous best of 17 home runs with the San Diego Padres in 2022.

With Grisham on the field, the Yankees have found another powerful hitter alongside Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, two of the franchise’s top sluggers. The team is anticipated to make a postseason appearance, at the very least in the Wild Card series.

Grisham among the greats

Grisham’s outstanding performance this regular season underscores his value to the Yankees, who are nearing the clinching of a Wild Card spot and challenging the Toronto Blue Jays for leadership in the AL East standings.

Grisham ranks among qualified American League hitters with at least 30 home runs and a .340 on-base percentage, a list headed by teammate Aaron Judge with Mariners standout Cal Raleigh just behind.

Bellinger praises Grisham

As Grisham continues to post impressive stats this regular season, teammate Cody Bellinger commended him following their matchup, where Grisham played a vital role in securing the Yankees’ win over the Twins in the third game of the series on Wednesday.

“He does it with ease, and it’s been really fun to watch,” Bellinger told the media post-game. His comments, coupled with Grisham’s performance, have fueled optimism among Yankees fans about the team’s postseason prospects this year.

Soto’s landmark hit came off Atlanta ace Spencer Strider during a 7–1 loss, but the game result was secondary to the career-defining moment. According to MLB.com, only 0.3% of all players in MLB history—just 84 individuals—have tallied 1,000 hits before their 27th birthday.

Even more exclusive: Soto is the only player ever to reach 1,000 hits, 200 home runs, and 800 walks before that age. In a sport that reveres milestones, this one tie Soto’s name to a legend whose shadow still looms large across generations.

Historic milestone with echoes of the Mick

Mickey Mantle is a benchmark for offensive excellence in MLB—a player whose early career productivity remains unmatched by most. Soto’s rise mirrors that of Mantle in more than just statistics: both debuted as teenagers, both dominated early, and both became faces of the game before turning 27.

Though Mantle reached 1,000 hits in a different era, the rarity of that feat in today’s pitching-dominant environment makes Soto’s achievement all the more significant. This parallel not only elevates Soto’s reputation but also places current baseball fans in the presence of an all-time caliber performer.

A future lined with milestones

Now with 1,000 hits, Soto is firmly on the path toward 3,000—a club only 33 players in MLB history have joined. Of the 84 players who reached 1,000 hits before age 27, 17 reached 3,000, and five others are still active. Given Soto’s discipline, durability, and advanced offensive approach, the odds are increasingly in his favor.

Having already logged 569 hits with Washington, 199 with San Diego, 166 with the Yankees, and now 66 with the Mets in his first season under a 15-year, $765 million deal, Soto’s career has been as nomadic as it has been prolific.

With the achievement, Harper joins a prestigious group. According to MLB.com, he is now “the 14th player in MLB history to reach 1,000 RBIs, 1,000 runs and 1,000 walks before turning 33.” Of the other 13 players, 11 are Hall of Famers — names like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Mickey Mantle — while the remaining two, Barry Bonds and Albert Pujols, are widely considered Hall of Fame-caliber.

Reflecting on the moment, Harper said: “There’s a lot of baseball ahead of me, and this team, as well. Obviously, having moments like that are really cool on a personal level… just to be part of that is just a really cool moment for me. It’s pretty awesome.” Phillies manager Rob Thomson added: “That’s quite a group that he’s a part of. It shows you how great of a hitter he’s been.”

A key role in the Phillies’ rally

Philadelphia trailed 3–1 entering the bottom of the seventh. After two runners reached base, Harper faced a full count and checked his swing on a 3–2 slider from Ryan Borucki. The Pirates disputed the call, believing he had gone around, but third-base umpire John Libka ruled no swing. As noted in the original report, “Pittsburgh manager Don Kelly got ejected immediately for arguing Libka’s call.”

Harper’s walk loaded the bases and triggered a collapse for the Pirates’ bullpen. Borucki walked Kyle Schwarber to force in a run, hit Nick Castellanos to tie the game, and was replaced by Tanner Rainey, who walked J.T. Realmuto to give the Phillies a 4–3 lead. A sacrifice fly by Alec Bohm extended the lead to 5–3. “I thought we fought back. I thought we did a great job,” Harper told reporters afterward. Harper would later add another RBI with a soft single through a drawn-in infield in the eighth.

Working through early-season struggles

Despite his recent success, Harper is still clawing his way back from a prolonged slump. “Obviously, I’m not where I want to be,” Harper acknowledged. “I’ve just got to keep grinding. I’m doing it every day. Down there [in the batting cage] trying to feel good and feel good during the game. I’m putting myself in some bad situations… I’ve just got to keep pounding the pavement.”

While not all of Harper’s hits were hard-struck, his production in key moments proved vital to Philadelphia’s comeback. The performance not only lifted the team, but also marked a personal milestone for a player who continues to leave his mark on the game with each passing MLB season.

As the decades passed and some of the early cards became very valuable, the introduction of price guides and the internet has helped many collectors find precious cards and also sell them at a very high price.

Some sports trading cards are worth well over 3 million dollars, with the famous Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card not even cracking the top 20 most valuable cards! Want to know who made the cut? Take a look at the most valuable sports trading cards on the market.

20. 1952 Topps Willie Mays – $509,217

In May of 2016, the Topps 1952 Willie Mays card was auctioned off at $509, 217, the card itself was the first Topps card to feature Willie Mays. While not his rookie card it is still very valuable as he would join the U.S. Army in May of that year.

Mays was a 24-time All-Star, 2-time National League MVP, the 1952 batting champion, and a four-time stolen base leader. He only won one World Series in 1954 with the San Francisco Giants.

19. 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente – $509,217

The adjusted price for the Roberto Clemente 1955 Topps card is $509,217. The card is presented in a horizontal image, rare in Baseball cards, and it is extremely valuable due to itbeing Clemente’s rookie card.

Clemente was a two-time World Series winner,15-time All-Star, 12-time Golden Glove award winner, and a four-time National League batting champion. His career was cut short at age 38 when he died in a plane crash en route to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

18. 1909-1911 T206 Ty Cobb – $520,323

In reality, the Ty Cobb card is a set of 4 cards, and some of the most desired collectors cards on the planet. The cards come with two different portraits and are valued at well over half a million dollars.

Cobb himself was an MVP, 12-time batting champion, 6-time stolen base leader, and MLB all century team. In 1994 his life was portrayed on the big screen by Tommy Lee Jones in the movie Cobb.

17. 1969/70 Topps Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – $534, 678

In reality, the card has Kareem’s given name of Lew Alcindor, and it is the only rookie card of the best offensive player in NBA history. The card was auctioned in 2016 and today has a value of $534,678.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, was towering at 7′ 2″, he won six NBA titles with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers. He is a six-time NBA MVP, two-time NBA Finals MVP, and 19-time All-Star.

16. 1910 Old Mill Shoeless Joe Jackson – $600,000

One of the rarest baseball cards in the world, and only a handful weremade during his playing days. Shoeless Joe Jackson is featured as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans, a minor league team.

Jackson won one World Series with the Chicago White Sox, but he was also involved in the Black Sox scandal after the 1919 World Series where he, along with seven other teammates were accused of accepting bribes to throw the series. In 1920 he was acquitted of the allegations.

15. 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth – $640,343

Another rarity the card features Ruth as a pitcher and the reverse has a schedule for the team that season. At the time the Baltimore News made two sets of the two local teams, the Orioles and the Terrapins of the Federal League.

Babe Ruth is considered by many the greatest Baseball player to ever play. He won seven World Series, a twelve-time home run leader, and a 94 win pitcher. The Babe did it all!

14. 1968 Topps Jerry Koosman/Nolan Ryan – $652,352

Two great pitchers on one baseball card have made this card so valuable. For Ryan, it was his rookie card and it is one of the most sought after cards in this collection. The card has been printed numerous times but the one pictured is the true original print.

Nolan Ryan was a monster on the mound. He recorded well over 5,000 strikeouts, he was an 8-time All-Star, two time National League ERA leader, and a one time World Series champion.

13. 1909-1911 T206 Sherry Magee – $671,983

The T206 set is extremely valuable and is considered the most important card setby collectors. It is considered one of the “The Big Three” in the world of baseball cards.

Sherry Magee hit over 2,000 hits, 83 home runs, and won the World Series with the Cincinnati Reds. In 1911, Magee punched an umpire in a dispute over a third strike call, knocking him unconscious. He was suspended for 36 games.

12. 1909 American Caramel Shoeless Joe Jackson – $710,719

To many collectors this is Shoeless Joe Jackson’s rookie card, the card came with hard caramel candy treats. Jackson got his nickname when he removed his cleats after suffering a painful blister during a game. He walked to the plate without his shoes.

In the movie Field of Dreams, Jackson is portrayed by Ray Liotta, the film is about an Iowa farmer who hears a mysterious voice telling him to build a baseball field on his farm so various baseball players of the past can play once again.

11. 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle – $763,616

The card is the only recognized rookie card of Mickey Mantle. It was auctioned off in 2018 and sold for more than $700,000. The card is known to have many print lines and wax stains.

Mickey Mantle is a Yankee icon, he was a 20-time All-Star, seven-time World Champion, three-timeAmerican League MVP, and 1956 triple crown winner. His number 7 jersey was retired by the Yankees.

10. 1963 Topps Pedro González / Ken McMullen / Pete Rose / Al Weis – $763,826

This card is the official rookie card of Pete Rose. The card was sold in 2016 by Heritage Auction for $717,000. In the 1980s many counterfeit cards appeared during the collector’s boom of the 80s.

Rose himself is one of Baseball’s most infamous players, while he had a great career he was banned from the game when accusations arose that he gambled on baseball games while he played for and managed the Reds.

9. 1916 M101-5 Sporting News Babe Ruth – $763,826

The Babe is once again on this list as his rookie card is worth well over $750,000. In this case, Ruth is pitching as a Boston Red Sox right before his move to the New York Yankees. The card is unique because it features a blank back.

Ruth pitched 107 complete games, he had 17 shutouts and a career ERA of 2.28. In World Series play he went 3-0 on the mound and he was moved to the outfield in 1918.

8. 1909–11 T206 Eddie Plank – $779,548

The second most important card of the T206 set and the only one of this hall of fame pitcher. In 2012, it was sold for $700,000 and it is a card that is very difficult to find, although the reasons are unknown.

Plank was one of the best left-handed pitchers at the time, he had 327 career wins and was the all-time leader in wins for a left-hander until the early 1960s. Plank won 20 or more games on eight separate occasions and has the most shutouts for a left-hander at 69.

7. 2003–04 Upper Deck LeBron James / Michael Jordan – $900,000

Two of basketball’s biggest icons on one card. LeBron James and Michael Jordan. The card is one of the highest amounts paid for a modern trading card.

Jordan and James need no introduction, they are considered two of the greatest NBA players of all time. Today the debate rages on as to who is the greatest between the two.

6. 2009 Bowman Mike Trout Red Refractor- $922,500

Mike Trout began his career in 2009, and this modern-day MLB slugger’s card sold for just under 1 million dollars. At the moment he is an 8-time All-Star, 3-time AL MVP, 2014 RBI AL leader, and got into the 30-30 club in 2012.

Trout is considered the best player of his generation, he has obtained an array of individual awards and his card is rumored to be sold for over $3 million dollars in the future.

5. 2003–04 Upper Deck LeBron James – $1,845,000

LeBron James rookie card is one of the most valuable trading cards in the world. The four-time NBA champion’s card sold for over 1.8 million dollars in 2020. It’s hard not to think LeBron’s rookie card wouldn’t go at a high value. He is the best basketball player of his generation.

LeBron is more than a basketball player, he has turned into an icon, an actor, a brand, a social activist. LeBron James is one of the most successful athletes of this century.

4. 2013–14 Panini Giannis Antetokounmpo – $1,857,300

Giannis Antetokounmpo has done a lot in his career, a two-time NBA MVP, a 4-time All-Star, 2020 Defensive player of the year. Giannis Antetokounmpo looks like the next big player of the NBA.

The Panini rookie card sold for over 1.8 million dollars in a 2020 auction and broke the record for a Basketball card set by LeBron James rookie card only a few months earlier.

3. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – $2,932,287

Mickey Mantle’s 1952 Topps card is the most important baseball card in the industry of trading cards according to some. While not his rookie card the 1952 Topps card is one of the most sought-after cards in the world.

The card was sold by retired NFL player Evan Mathis. It went for just under three million dollars, it set the record for the sale of a post-war card.

2. 1909–11 T206 Honus Wagner – $3,323,760

Considered the most important baseball card of them all, the Honus Wagner card was owned by NHL great Wayne Gretzky and it was sold at $2,800,000 in 2007. It is a rare baseball card, although the reasons are not known, some believe it is due to the promotion of tobacco use to children during its time.

In 2016 it was auctioned off at 3.3 million dollars and it is believed that only 50 to 200 cards were ever produced. Wagner himself was an 8-time NL batting champion, a 5-time NL RBI leader, and a 5-time NL stolen base leader. He won 1 World Series in 1909.

1. 2009 Bowman Mike TroutSuperfractor – $3,936,000

The most expensive and most valuable trading card in the world belongs to Mike Trout and Bowman. The 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Mike Trout Superfractor Autograph went for just under four million dollars. The card was sold by gambling consultant David “Vegas Dave” Oancea.

Trout has spent his whole career with the Los Angeles Angels, and has already hit over 300 home runs, 1,000 hits, and has a batting average of .304.