A cap worn early in Jackie Robinson’s career sold for $590,994 early Saturday morning in a Lelands.com auction. The blue Brooklyn Dodgers wool cap included three protective plates sewn into the lining to aid the first African-American big leaguer as he faced pitches thrown near his head. The price, which included a 20% buyer’s premium tacked onto the winning bid, was … [Read more...]
“Momen” Clemente Bat Dates to Pirates’ 1960 Championship
It was a childhood nickname that Roberto Clemente used on his game bats until he became a World Series champion. Now, the last bat carrying that humorous moniker is about to go on the auction block. As a youngster in Puerto Rico, Clemente’s family members began calling him “Momen” for “momentito” (“just a moment” in Spanish), a word he used often when … [Read more...]
Six Items Bring $300,000 and Up in Clemente Auction
Roberto Clemente's 1967 Silver Slugger Award, handed out in a season during which he recorded the highest batting average of his career, sold for $493,000 Tuesday. The bat and hundreds of other items from the late Hall of Famer's career were sold by his family during the second day of the MLB All-Star FanFest sale in Miami conducted by Hunt Auctions. In all, six … [Read more...]
Show and Tell: Clemente Treasures in All-Star Auction
Forty-five years after his last season in baseball, Roberto Clemente memorabilia is on the auction block. As we reported a few weeks ago, several valuable pieces from Clemente's career will be sold during this year's All-Star FanFest Auction in Miami. It's one of the most significant single-player collections of baseball memorabilia to enter the hobby in many years. … [Read more...]
Classic Baseball Photos Highlight Heritage Auctions’ Vintage Catalog
Baseball and photography go hand in hand. Never was there a more aptly named book than The Image of Their Greatness by Lawrence Ritter. Baseball photos resonate with the public. Collectors will have a chance to acquire some of baseball’s most iconic images from its “golden age” during Heritage Auctions’ Vintage Sports Photography Catalog auction on May 20. It includes a 1927 … [Read more...]
Roberto Clemente Collection Set for MLB All-Star FanFest Auction
Hunt Auctions will once again be hosting the MLB All-Star FanFest Auction this summer and this year's event will include some major artifacts from Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente. The late superstar's family has consigned the items, several of which are expected to attract six-figure bidding. The auction will be conducted at the Miami Beach Convention … [Read more...]
Photo of the Day: Box of Greatness
He was 37 years old, a time when most players were either retired or on the downside of their careers. Not Roberto Clemente. He led the Pittsburgh Pirates to the World Series in 1971, and then led them to a title by hitting safely in all seven games, including a home run off Baltimore’s Mike Cuellar in the deciding game. The RMY Auctions Photo of the Day is from that … [Read more...]
Bazooka Changed Things Up In 1964 Release
The 1964 Bazooka set marked the sixth consecutive set of baseball cards produced by the chewing gum company. But while much about it remained the same from past issues, much changed as well. 1964 Bazooka Baseball Basics For the second straight year, the individual blank-backed cards measured a smaller size from the earlier issues. 1964's edition measured approximately 1 … [Read more...]
PSA 10 1961 Topps Clemente Brings $131,450
One of two 1961 Topps Roberto Clemente graded PSA 10 sold at auction Sunday night for $131,450, more than five times what it sold for at auction just over seven years ago. The sale was part of the second day in Heritage Auctions' Platinum event. The card is the latest example in what's become an explosive market for high-grade vintage cards. It sold for $25,092 in a … [Read more...]
Clemente Still Revered By Fans and Collectors
Roberto Clemente was a great baseball player, but his throwing arm was extraordinary. I know. I saw it happen. And Joe Morgan was the victim. On July 21, 1970, at the Astrodome, Clemente’s Pirates were facing Houston. Jesus Alou was on first base in the bottom of the first when Morgan sent a stinging line drive single to right field. Alou went to third on the play, and … [Read more...]