It was back to live bidding at the annual All-Star Auction.
Shifted strictly online last year because of the pandemic, the annual event held in conjunction with baseball’s mid-season showcase wrapped up with a live finale at MLB’s Play Ball Park in Denver as bidders chased hundreds of historic pieces of memorabilia and cards.
One of the lead pieces was a Jimmie Foxx cap dating to the Hall of Famer’s prime of 1929-1932. The soft bill blue and white hat was recently discovered within a Philadelphia area home and sold for $67,562.
The top selling item was a Babe Ruth professional model bat that ended at $105,750 including the 17.5% buyer’s premium tacked on to all winning bids. The 35-inch, 36.3 ounce bat rated GU 8 by PSA/DNA has specific Hillerich & Bradsby markings that date it to the 1933 season.
Another top seller Tuesday afternoon was the original 1959 Sultan of Swat Crown award presented to Milwaukee Braves slugger Eddie Mathews that soared to $76,375. Roberto Clemente’s 1962 Gold Glove award sold for the same amount.
Other top items that sold included:
-1961 Willie McCovey San Francisco Giants Professional Model Road Jersey $38,187
-1908 Chicago Cubs World Championship Presentational Pendant Sold for $36,425
-1954 New York Giants World Series Ring Sold for $35,250
-Johnny Bench professional model catcher’s mitt c.1979 Sold for $34,075
-Nemo Leibold Chicago White Sox uniform c.1919-24 Sold for $23,500
“For the last 17 years, we have been honored to conduct the All-Star Live Auction event,” remarked Hunt Auctions president David Hunt. “Each year, the MLB All-Star Game brings the very best of baseball to cities and fans across the country. We are extremely proud to have watched the All-Star Live Auction develop into one of the most prestigious sports related auctions in the world and we were thrilled to be back in person with live fans this year.”
