Orioles Catcher Rutschman Happy to Sign Autographs—and Get a Few Himself

Adley Rutschman is more than just a catcher for the Baltimore Orioles. The five-year MLB pro is a baseball fan too.

Without hesitation, Baltimore’s starting catcher unabashedly embraces the expectations of being a major leaguer. Signing autographs, shaking hands, and stopping for selfie requests has become routine for Rutschman, 28, who last month signed a one-year, $7.25 million contract for the 2026 season, avoiding a salary arbitration hearing with the Orioles.

Four hours prior to the Orioles’ Grapefruit League spring game against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida, where Baltimore is holding training camp for a 17th season, Rutschman relaxes in front of his clubhouse stall.

Preparing for the second of 31 exhibition games prior to the regular season opener on March 26 at home against the Minnesota Twins, Rutschman appears as confident as any veteran player with 500-plus games under his belt.

When the gates open, and Orioles fans make their way down to the field level seating of the 37-year-old stadium, the two-time all-star is sure to be approached and asked to sign an endless selection of trading cards, hats, jerseys, and photographs. This is a routine that Rutschman embraces. He is still in awe that people want him to scribble his name for them.

Rutschman himself has been known to request signatures from some of the biggest names in the game.

“We were at a Topps event together—me, Paul Skenes, and Jackson Holliday. When I opened a pack of cards, and pulled one of Skenes’s cards, he was right next to me, so I asked him to sign it,” Rutschman told The Epoch Times. “I collected cards when I was younger. The first time I saw myself on a real baseball card, that was a full circle moment for me.”

The baseball card industry generates nearly $2 billion in sales annually, according to Yahoo Sports, and the amount that fans are willing to spend for their collection is eye-opening.

At the Check Out My Cards (comc.com) website, the catcher’s 2023 Topps Cosmic Chrome Superfractor #35 card is selling for $1,956.10. A Rutschman 2019 Bowman Draft—Chrome card goes for $918.31. There are 137 autographed Rutschman cards to be viewed. Individual hobbyists are trading these cards, and the catcher is just an amazed bystander.

“As a ballplayer, you understand how fortunate you are to be in the big leagues. I was just a kid not too long ago collecting cards. It’s a very cool experience,” said Rutschman, a 2023 Silver Slugger Award winner.

Rutschman recalls that right after he was drafted by Baltimore coming out of Oregon State University, trading cards with his image started finding their way to him from fans. He gushes when remembering the first time he was approached for his signature while in college.

“I had that moment—you mean you really want my autograph?”

In 2025 card sales on eBay, Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani finished in second place with nearly $58 million generated, according to Yahoo Sports. Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan led all athletes with more than $70.5 million last year.

Baseball cards took off when Topps launched its first set in 1951, Mickey Mantle’s rookie year. In the Bowman set of trading cards, the Mickey Mantle (#253) rookie card remains one of the most valuable and sought-after vintage cards. Sports Collectors Digest reported in 2022 that a mint Mantle rookie Bowman card sold for $3.19 million.

For Rutschman, having that moment with fans—signing an item for them and seeing their appreciation—never gets old.  Being a good steward of the game with the MLB public is paramount for the catcher. He understands that there’s a timeline in which he is able to play.

“It’s going by fast,” said Rutschman, now entering his fifth season with the Orioles. “I just got the invite for my high school 10-year reunion the other day. Time goes faster and faster each year. I try to have gratitude as much as possible. I love playing baseball. The more you are able to sit back and soak in some of the moments, that’s what it’s all about.”

Given the investment in recent years by Orioles ownership in acquiring top players, including spending $155 million on a five-year deal with slugger Pete Alonso in December and extending fellow catcher Samuel Basallo in August for eight years at $67 million, Rutschman should have ample moments to soak up in the coming season. Acknowledging the fans by simply applying his autograph on a wide range of keepsakes, but mostly on cards, Rutschman continues to be an all-star ambassador for MLB in good standing.