Dykstra's 1986 World Series Ring Brings $56,762 |
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Friday, 02 October 2009 |
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Baseball memorabilia once belonging to Lenny Dykstra turned out to be a big hit.
 The 1986 World series ring that once belonged to ex-Mets and Phillies outfielder Len Dykstra sold today for $56,762.50 at Heritage Auctions in Dallas. The price realized was almost triple the low original estimate of $20,000. The winning bidder was a collector from the Queens, NY-area. The price included the auction company's 19.5% buyer's premium.
Buoyed by publicity in the sports memorabilia hobby and in the New York media, the eleven lots of Dykstra memorabilia in the auction realized more than $162,000 against pre-auction estimates of $60,000-$80,000.
"The winning bids far exceeded initial estimates on several other Dykstra items," said Chris Ivy, Director of Sports Memorabilia at Heritage Auctions. "For example, the home run ball he hit to win game three of the 1986 National League Championship Series, originally estimated at $4,000, brought an astounding $31,070."
Dykstra's memorabilia was consigned by Beverly Hills "Pawnbroker to the Rich and Famous," Yossi Dina. Other items sold included Dykstra's 1986 World Series trophy ($19,120), his Phillies NLCS ring ($23,900), several All-Star rings which sold for between $8,000 and $12,000 each, and several other notable home run balls that went for between $1,400 and $2,800.
"Despite his travails off the field since his playing days ended," said Ivy. "these prices show that interest in Dykstra, and his career, are still very high."
Dykstra, known as "Nails" in his playing days for his fearlessness and toughness, was hailed as a financial genius in the years since he retired for his many apparently successful business ventures. As it turned out, Dykstra's wealth was tied to less than reliable practices and he, like millions of other Americans, watched his fortune evaporate as the world's economy has stumbled. His fall from grace has been well documented.
As his money dried up, Dykstra took his prized baseball relics to Dina, in Los Angeles, to get some ready capital. Dykstra did not return to redeem the ticket and Dina took the memorabilia to Heritage Auctions.
Vintage sports memorabilia |
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