Dr. Anthony Fauci's Topps card sets record with print run of 51,512 cards
One of the most popular baseball cards around doesn’t belong to a baseball player at all. A Topps card of Dr. Anthony Fauci set a record with a print run of 51,512 cards, the company announced Monday.
The card features the 79-year-old Fauci throwing out the first pitch at the New York Yankees-Washington Nationals game on July 23.
NEW. RECORD. 💥
Dr. Anthony Fauci's #ToppsNOW card sets an all-time high print run record, clocking in at 51,512 cards! pic.twitter.com/sbZtdVX6MC— Topps (@Topps) July 27, 2020
The image captures the ball just as it’s leaving Fauci’s hand. That’s probably a good thing, as Fauci’s pitch sailed far away from the plate. Fauci had a sense of humor about his errant throw, saying he thought he was supposed to throw the pitch to first base.
Topps made Dr. Anthony Fauci card available for 24 hours
A day after Fauci’s pitch, Topps announced it would make a card of the moment. Topps made Fauci’s card part of its Topps Now series, which puts specific moments on cards and only makes them available for a short period of time. Fauci’s card was only available for 24 hours.
In that period, over 51,000 people purchased Fauci’s card. That set an all-time print run record for Topps. The company will only print 51,512 cards featuring Fauci’s first pitch. It does not intend to reprint the card in the future.
Dr. Anthony Fauci on United States coronavirus task force
Fauci, an immunologist, is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. He’s also a member of President Donald Trump’s coronavirus task force. Fauci has become a leading voice in the fight against coronavirus, and has advised the United States regarding which safety measures to take amid the pandemic.
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