POP 12 - PSA 10 - FUTURE HALL OF FAMER. About a month before Dominican native Albert Pujols made his major-league debut on Opening Day of the 2001 season, a baby named Wander Franco was born in Pujols’ homeland. That child would grow into a baseball star of his own, idolizing Pujols along the way. Franco is not a burly power hitter but still wears No. 5 in Pujols’ honor. The two crossed paths in 2022 when the Cardinals visited the Tampa Bay Rays, and what did Pujols think of playing against someone who viewed him as a childhood hero? “That means I’ve been playing this game for a long time, so I think it’s time to go,” Pujols said with a laugh. “That’s why I’m doing it this year.” Franco, a bright, 21-year-old infielder, has yet to play a full season in the majors, but he has flashed five-tool potential on the diamond and is locked up with a long-term contract to be the face of the Rays for years to come. “Everything that he does on the field is pretty electric,” Pujols said. “He is somebody that pretty much has a good future in this league.” A card that can light up any collection is this PSA 10 example of Franco’s 2019 Bowman Chrome Prospects /150 Blue Refractor Rookie Auto. When Franco heard Pujols complimented his talent, he said it was “incredible,” which is what the winning bidder will probably say every time they see this card in their collection