Full Breakdown
Seattle Teen Nets $21,100 from Ultra-Rare “Jimothy” Rookie Card
9/1/2026, 9:00:00 PM
Background & Context
In July, a short-spined raccoon dubbed “Jimothy” captured Seattle’s attention after videos of the compact animal roaming the Ballard neighborhood went viral. Residents posted footage that quickly amassed millions of views, turning the critter into a local celebrity. The Seattle Mariners responded by integrating Jimothy into a ballpark promotion, aiming to leverage the animal’s internet fame for fan engagement.
Promotion That Produced the Gold Chase Card
On July 29, the Mariners announced that “Jimothy is taking over” T-Mobile Park as part of a promotion scheduled for early August. The first 20,000 fans entering the stadium were to receive a standard Jimothy rookie card, with several rarer “chase cards” interspersed. Among those chase cards was a one-of-one gold version, described by the team as the ultimate prize of the giveaway.
Teen’s $21,100 Payday
Thirteen-year-old Abby, a Mariners supporter, obtained the gold card during the giveaway. She listed the card on eBay, where the auction opened at $0.99, attracted 100 bids, and closed at $21,100. Fan-run social-media pages reported that the proceeds are expected to be directed toward Abby’s college fund.
Official Statements & Community Response
The Mariners highlighted the find on social media, writing, “Talk about a one-of-a-kind pull,” and posted photos of Abby holding the card. The organization also offered a ticket package that included a Jimothy T-shirt, with a portion of those sales earmarked for the Ballard Food Bank, linking the promotion to local charitable support.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Over the past week, Jimothy has become a local celebrity, and I feel lucky to have captured this moment on video,” — Dmitriy Ishimskiy, a Ballard resident
