MLB Pitchers Turn to Pokémon Cards as a New Locker-Room Bond

Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale and Milwaukee Brewers rookie Jacob Misiorowski have become prominent figures in Major League Baseball’s growing Pokémon-card hobby. Both have amassed thousands of graded cards, with Sale’s inventory exceeding 2,000 PSA-slabbed pieces, and they regularly trade, open packs, and use cards as clubhouse ice-breakers.

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The Pokémon craze, launched in 1996, evolved from a children’s video-game franchise into a $115 billion media empire. Vintage packs now command thousands of dollars, and rare cards such as the Pikachu Illustrator have fetched $16.5 million at auction. This market appeal has drawn numerous players—Mike Trout, Zach Neto, Jordan Montgomery, Jameson Taillon, Nick Pivetta, and Will Klein—into collecting, eroding the stigma once attached to the hobby.

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• Chris Sale (Atlanta Braves, 37) – After a 2022 injury slump, Sale purchased a 1999 Base Set Charizard on eBay and has since built a “Pokémon lair” of graded cards, including a full set of PSA-10 Charizards from the Skyridge expansion.

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• Jacob Misiorowski (Milwaukee Brewers, 24) – Known for custom gloves with transparent card pockets, Misiorowski’s collection features a prized Charizard that sparked a clubhouse frenzy in August. He also received a Lugia card from Sale as a welcome gift before the 2024 All-Star Game.

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• Sale’s collection: >2,000 graded cards, most rated PSA 10.

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• Thousands of unopened boxes stored in his attic.

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• Individual vintage cards regularly sell for tens of thousands; the Pikachu Illustrator sold for $16.5 million.

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• Misiorowski’s Charizard triggered a “freakout” moment among teammates, illustrating the high emotional and monetary stakes.

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Cards serve as conversation starters and goodwill tokens. Taillon sent Sale a raw Charizard for an autograph, and Sale reciprocated with a Lugia for Misiorowski. The practice has fostered camaraderie, with players gathering to rip packs during travel and even decorating personal spaces—Misiorowski’s basement bathroom features a Pokémon theme.

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Sale described his collecting as a coping mechanism during injury rehab, noting that he feels “proud” when he can go a week without an eBay purchase. Misiorowski highlighted the unifying effect of a surprise Charizard reveal, saying it “made everyone realize what it is.” Taillon emphasized the generosity that follows a player’s entry into the hobby, noting that teammates readily share cards for signatures.

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Earlier perceptions labeled Pokémon collecting as “nerd culture,” but players now view it as a legitimate pastime. The article notes a “decreasing stigma” surrounding the hobby, indicating prior criticism has softened as the activity gains mainstream acceptance within MLB.

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Sale often opens packs with his three sons at local hobby shops, while Misiorowski and Brewers teammates opened a 1999 Base Set pack in the clubhouse, prompting a collective “freakout” when a Charizard emerged. Sale’s pursuit of a PSA-9 Rayquaza after multiple grading attempts illustrates the personal dedication involved.

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The sources present a consistent picture of player involvement; no contradictory data on collection sizes or market values were identified.

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• “I'll be completely honest with you,” — Chris Sale, Atlanta Braves pitcher

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• “I'm going to go for the big dog.” — Chris Sale

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• “I had heard Chris Sale was super into Pokémon. So I bought a raw, really cool old Charizard and sent it over to his side to sign,” — Jameson Taillon, Chicago Cubs pitcher

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• “I'm proud of myself if I can go a full week without having a purchase on eBay,” — Chris Sale

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• “Everyone's questioning what's going on. And all of a sudden, you reveal the card and everyone realizes what it is.” — Jacob Misiorowski, Milwaukee Brewers pitcher

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• “I will be 85 years old still sending this card back,” — Chris Sale

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As the 2026 season approaches, MLB’s automated ball-strike system will be tested alongside the continued rise of Pokémon collecting, suggesting that future locker-room dynamics will intertwine performance technology with pop-culture hobbies.

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