Legendary Auctions, a premier, high-end Sports and Americana auction house, announced today that the company will handle the sale of yet another Hall of Fame baseball player’s memorabilia. Lou Brock, the St. Louis Cardinals’ star left fielder, has selected Legendary Auctions to sell prized pieces from his personal collection. These amazing items (nearly 100 lots) will be offered to the public for the first time in the upcoming Legendary Auctions event scheduled to begin on November 9 and conclude on November 18. Bidding will be conducted online and via phone.
Lou Brock’s choice of Legendary Auctions was initiated and cemented by the overwhelming success of the recent Bob Gibson auction, which was conducted in July 2009. The Bob Gibson sale — which netted over $500,000 and produced several record-setting prices — was conducted by Legendary Auctions in a team effort working with Sports Classics, Inc. Dick Zitzman, president of Sports Classics, Inc., represents both Lou Brock and Bob Gibson.
“I saw how great Gibby’s collection did with Legendary Auctions,” said Brock. “My agent, Dick Zitzman said a lot of complimentary things about the auction house. So it really was an easy decision to consign my collection with Doug and Legendary Auctions, especially after meeting Doug. I am certain my collection is in good hands.”
Zitzman, more than satisfied with the Gibson auction process, is confident Brock’s collection will handled in the same professional manner. “Legendary Auctions did exactly what they said they would, maximizing the sale’s exposure and ultimately the prices realized on Gibson’s collection. We are looking forward to working with the Legendary Auctions team on Mr. Brock’s collection with the potential for more prime collections from other star players in the future.”
Allen says that he, too, is excited to work with Sports Classics again to bring these pieces of baseball history to the collecting public. “You don’t get many baseball players that are as well-liked and as accomplished as Lou Brock,” said Allen. “These factors, combined with the fact that these items are new to the collecting industry and that they originate directly from the player, is sure to translate into strong bidding and auction prices.”
Lou Brock started his career with the Chicago Cubs in 1961. In 1964, he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, where he remained until retiring in 1979. (Many consider this the worst trade the Cubs ever made.) In St. Louis, Brock flourished. He helped the Cardinals win National League pennants in 1964, 1967 and 1968. The 1964 and 1967 pennant wins led to World Series Championships. Brock remains best known for base-stealing and for starting Cardinals rallies. In 1977, Brock broke Ty Cobb’s long-standing record for most stolen bases in a career. And even though Rickey Henderson eventually eclipsed Brock’s record, Brock’s additional career accolades – such as membership in the 3,000 Hits Club and being named one of the top 100 baseball players of the 20th century – guaranteed him a place in baseball history.
Brock retired from baseball in 1979 and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1985. Today, Brock and his wife are ordained ministers and continue to live in and contribute to the St. Louis community. The couple is sought after as keynote speakers delivering inspirational, motivational, and spiritual messages.
While Brock has moved on in his life to other important endeavors, memories of his baseball career remain significant. “I thoroughly enjoyed my baseball career with the St. Louis Cardinals and appreciate the awards and reminders from that time in my life,” said Brock. “It’s great to know that collectors will treasure these pieces of baseball history as I have, and will pass them on for years to come.”
A few highlights of the items in Lou Brock’s collection include:
Lou Brock’s 1967 World Series Championship ring;
An original Leroy Neiman painting of Brock sliding;
A 1974 home jersey worn when Brock broke the single season base stealing record;
The actual base Brock stole in 1977 to break Ty Cobb’s career base stealing record.
The collection also includes significant awards bestowed upon Brock, including the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award in 1977 and the Hutch Award® in 1979. The Lou Gehrig Memorial Award was created by the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity in honor of Lou Gehrig, who was a member of the fraternity at Columbia University. It is given to players who best exemplify his character and integrity both on and off the field. The Hutch Award® was established in 1965 to honor baseball great Fred Hutchinson, who died of cancer the previous year at age 45. This prestigious award is given annually to a Major League Baseball player who best exemplifies Fred’s honor, courage and dedication on and off the field. Both of these awards are so important that they are recognized at the Baseball Hall of Fame by master awards that denote which player won the award each year.
For more information on the Lou Brock collection or to register to bid in upcoming Legendary Auctions’ events, call (708) 889-9380 or go to www.legendaryauctions.com .
