Josh Donaldson’s $35 Million Trading Card Collection: The Bringer of Rain Goes Big in the Hobby
Former Toronto Blue Jays All-Star and 2015 American League MVP Josh Donaldson just dropped a massive headline in the trading card world. According to the Toronto Sun (by Dan Bilicki, published May 1, 2026), Donaldson revealed his personal trading card and memorabilia collection is worth about $35 million.
The Viral Locker 19 Moment
Donaldson made a surprise appearance on Locker 19, the sports memorabilia-focused podcast and YouTube channel hosted by former NHLer Scottie Upshall. Upshall was in a locker-room setup with NFL legend John Elway opening packs when Donaldson stopped by.
They had just pulled a 1984 Dan Marino rookie. Donaldson examined it like a true collector, noting it was in “pretty good” condition but printed “a hair off centre.” When asked if he saved cards, he casually replied he has a “huge collection.” Upshall called it “really impressive,” and then came the bombshell:
“Yeah, my collection is probably worth about $35 million.”
Elway’s shocked reaction (coughing and spitting out his drink) instantly went viral.
Watch the full episode on YouTube →
Mostly NBA + Some NFL
The biggest surprise? His collection is mostly NBA (“hoops”) cards, with some NFL cards as well. “It’s all hoops, by the way,” Upshall pointed out. Donaldson confirmed he has football too. Elway said “everyone likes hoops,” and Donaldson replied, “that’s why it’s so nuts.”
Donaldson’s MLB Legacy
Donaldson earned roughly $159 million across 13 MLB seasons. In Toronto he was a two-time All-Star and took home the 2015 AL MVP (.297, 41 HR, league-leading 123 RBIs). Career slash: .261/.358/.489 with 279 home runs and 816 RBIs. He retired on March 4, 2024.
Forever remembered as “The Bringer of Rain.”
A Lifetime Hobby
Donaldson has been collecting since childhood — saving lunch money for packs. He’s spoken in older interviews about vintage baseball memorabilia (including a Willie Mays bat) and modern football cards. A big Andrew Luck 1/1 pull years ago helped reignite his passion. His total holdings reportedly top 200,000 cards.
Why Collectors Are Buzzing
From lunch-money packs to a $35 million empire, Donaldson’s story shows how deep the hobby can go. Perfect inspiration for anyone building their own collection.
Original Source: Toronto Sun – Former Blue Jays all-star says his trading card collection is worth $35M
