Collect.com Auctions is proud to announce it has one of the landmark pieces in Major League Baseball history in its Sports & Americana Auction No. 5 with the inclusion of Mark McGwire’s 500th home run baseball, fully certified by PSA/DNA. Bidding is in its last days and ends Aug. 12. For more information on this item and other pieces of memorabilia in the current auction, visit www.collect.com/auctions, or call 888-463-3063.
At age 35, McGwire socked his 500th career home run at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on the evening of Aug. 5, 1999. Andy Ashby of the San Diego Padres threw McGwire a 1-1 breaking ball, which “Big Mac” sent 451 feet over the center field wall. With one mighty swing, McGwire became the 16th player in Major League history to accomplish hitting 500 home runs, joining an elite group that includes Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Ted Williams and Reggie Jackson, among other legends.
“We are deeply honored to have the opportunity to offer such a historic piece in our upcoming auction,” said Steve Bloedow, director of Collect.com Auctions. “Mark McGwire is one of the legends of the game, and his 500th home run baseball is one of the truly great pieces of memorabilia in the hobby. We anticipate this item will attract heavy bidding from Oakland A’s and St. Louis Cardinals fans, along with collectors of 500 Home Run memorabilia.”
A 500th home run ball is a rare and valuable commodity. In the past, these milestone baseballs have been sold at prices in excess of $100,000. In 2003, Sammy Sosa’s 500th home run ball sold for nearly $45,000. In 2007, Mickey Mantle’s home run ball went for $144,000. And most recently, Alex Rodriguez’s 500th home run ball brought $103,579 in early February. And this doesn’t include the $3 million paid by McFarlane Toys’ founder Todd McFarlane for McGwire’s 70th home run ball from the 1998 season in which McGwire and Sosa captivated the baseball world by smashing the then-record of 61 home runs in a season.
The McGwire 500 home run baseball is just one of many rare and important items in Collect.com Auctions’ sale. Another feature will be an extensive collection of 1934 Al Demaree Die-Cuts (R304), all from the single biggest find of these cards ever found. The Al Demaree Die-Cuts are extremely rare, and this find offers some cards for the first time and many versions that are the first to be graded by PSA/DNA. More than 80 examples will be offered. Other major highlights include a 1910 Hermes Ice Cream Bobby Byrne Pin PSA 7, 1938 Sawyer Biscuit Gabby Hartnett, a 1-of-1 example of the 1960 Armour Coins Bud Daley White version graded PSA 9, Roger Maris and Ronald Reagan signed baseball, Derek Jeter 2005 NY Yankees game-used road jersey, Red Grange signed football, 1979-80 Topps Hockey unopened vending box and much more.
