Former Toronto Blue Jays star Josh Donaldson has transitioned from collecting base hits and RBIs to amassing a vast array of trading cards. The former American League MVP, known as The Bringer of Rain, recently disclosed that his personal collection holds an estimated value of approximately $35 million.
Surprise Appearance on Podcast
Donaldson made a surprise appearance on an episode of Locker 19, a podcast and YouTube channel dedicated to sports memorabilia hosted by former NHL player Scottie Upshall. During the show, Upshall was seated with NFL legend John Elway, opening packs of cards, when Donaldson dropped by to examine a 1984 Dan Marino rookie card they had just pulled.
Donaldson displayed his knowledge of trading cards by noting the Marino card was in "pretty good" condition but had been printed "a hair off centre." When Elway asked if he had saved cards from his playing days, Donaldson replied that he owned a "huge collection."
Upshall corroborated the statement, calling it "really impressive," before Donaldson revealed the staggering scale of his collection. "Yeah, my collection is probably worth about $35 million," Donaldson said, causing Elway to cough and spit out his drink in surprise.
Focus on Basketball Cards
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of Donaldson's collection is its focus. Rather than collecting baseball cards from the sport in which he excelled, Donaldson primarily collects basketball cards. "It's all hoops, by the way," Upshall pointed out to Elway, though Donaldson confirmed he also has some football cards. Elway commented that "everyone likes hoops," to which Donaldson replied, "that's why it's so nuts."
Financial Context
Donaldson's substantial collection is supported by his lucrative MLB career. According to sports salary-tracking website Spotrac, Donaldson earned an estimated $159 million over 13 seasons, ranking him 79th on the list of highest career earners in MLB history.
Career Highlights
During his four years in Toronto, Donaldson was a two-time AL All-Star and won the American League MVP in 2015, when he batted .297 with 41 home runs and led the league with 123 RBIs. Over his career, he posted a slash line of .261/.358/.489 with 279 home runs and 816 RBIs before officially retiring on March 4, 2024.
