Gifted to a photographer friend, a pair of Michael Jordan’s game-worn, autographed shoes from his 1984-85 rookie season are on the auction block with bidding expected to stretch well into six figures.
The shoes are among hundreds of items being offered by Grey Flannel Auctions.
The shoes were given to Robert Crawford, a photographer who had known Jordan during his days at the University of North Carolina. After he was drafted by the Bulls and left UNC, Jordan reunited with Crawford on the road following a game against the Indiana Pacers. With two and half weeks of bidding to go, the shoes carry a current high bid of $117,900.
Among the other key lots in the auction: Stan Musial’s 1943 World Series road uniform (current bid $88,000), an autographed, game-used and photo-matched jersey that running back Barry Sanders wore during his 225-yard, two-touchdown performance on October 14, 1990 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Grey Flannel calls it “the earliest known photo-matched Sanders jersey to enter the hobby.” It was matched to an early season game by a sleeve repair, which indicates prior use and could possibly be a carryover from his rookie season.
An autographed game-used Mike Trout bat that has been photo-matched to four home runs from the 2018 season is another key piece. The bat comes with a PSA/DNA LOA. A 2015 Trout alternate Angels jersey photo-matched to nine home runs and 42 hits from the superstar’s career is expected to also big a big price.
A jersey from Johnny Bench’s 1970 MVP season, with an LOA from a Cincinnati Red executive, shows tell-tell marks from the gear Bench would have worn while behind the plate, is sitting at $55,000.
Bidding will close on Saturday, June 26.