Stephen Strasburg’s rookie card made available online during pitcher’s Major League debut

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Got your Stephen Strasburg rookie card yet?

True, the Washington Nationals pitcher’s Major League career isn’t even 24 hours old, but his rookie card -- featuring a photo of his very first big-league pitch -- has been available for almost as long.

While Strasburg was busy racking up 14 strikeouts in seven innings of the Nationals’ 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night, Topps released his rookie card online.

Collectors with a special code card, obtained in Topps baseball card packs, had a chance to unlock the card, which has been issued in “very limited quantities,” according to a Topps press release.

There are already several being auctioned on eBay, with bids ranging from $4.75 to $33.

A couple of optimistic eBay sellers are really hoping to cash in on the Strasburg hype, offering the rookie card at “Buy It Now” prices of $300 and $499. And there is a “Gold Refractor” version of the card available for a “Buy It Now” price of $1,499.99.

(No word on whether you get some of that great-tasting baseball card gum as part of the deal.)

A different Strasburg card will be available in 2010 Topps baseball card sets, according to Dan Steinberg’s D.C. Sports Blog.

-- Chuck Schilken