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Dan HajduckESPN
The stick used by Jackie Robinson in the 1949 MLB All-Star Game in Brooklyn sold for $1.08 million (including buyer’s premium) in Saturday’s auction, the market Goldin collectibles notices.
While it’s not the most expensive baseball bat ever sold at auction – that record goes to the bat Babe Ruth hit the first time he ran at Yankee Stadium in 1923, for $1,265 million – pole period rarely surpasses the $1 million threshold.
The bat was purchased by Hunt Auctions, the company that most recently made waves by conducting auctions of Bill Russell memorabilia on behalf of a private buyer.
The bat includes an authentic letter from Robinson’s wife, Rachel, who writes: “The bat has been in the Robinson family archive since the day it was first used by Jackie.”
“The direct origins of Rachel Robinson and the additional historical significance of the 1949 All-Star Game being played in Brooklyn place this example at the pinnacle of the Jackie bat game,” said David Hunt, president of Hunt Auctions , said in a statement.
Robinson won his only MVP award of the 1949 season. The 75th anniversary of Robinson’s major league debut to break the color barrier was held on April 15.
The same Goldin auction also included a 1951 Robinson home jersey. Including the buyer’s premium, the bid went up to nearly $8.5 million, which would have been so far. Most expensive sports memorabilia ever sold at auction. However, the reserves were not met and the shirt did not sell.
