Single or Duo-Signed Bats, Balls, Jerseys, Photos, Etc.
94 Lots
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Lot 39. George Steinbrenner Signed Letter Praising Tommy John. In a typed Sept. 12, 1984 letter on his New York Yankees’ letterhead, Steinbrenner recommend John for an award from the Freedoms Foundation of Valley Forge. In part, he writes, “I think Tommy John, not only as a competitor on the ball field, but as a person and a citizen, exemplifies the highest level of citizenship, conduct and religious belief of perhaps any athlete I have known.” He asserts that he is well qualified to judge whether John deserves such an award because “at times Tommy and I have been in somewhat adversarial positions with each other. But when I put petty things aside, and stop to consider the values, beliefs and actions of the man, he is an exceptional young man.” He also says that since elbow surgery, John “has probably been one of the 10 most-effective pitchers in the American League.” Steinbrenner’s signature at the close of this uncommon letter of praise is a 10. Authentication by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $390.
Lot 40. Tommy Lasorda Letter Recommending Tommy John for a Freedom Foundations Award. In a typed, signed 1984 letter on Dodgers’ stationery, Lasorda describes John as “a perfect example of what we look for in a man. He is a rare combination of a true professional and a gracious man.” The Dodgers’ manager also writes that John “is as competitive as anyone you will find” and that he “was as gracious after a loss as he was after a win.” In 1984, the Orange County Chapter of the Freedoms Foundation nominated John for a Freedoms Foundation Award in recognition of his exemplary citizenship and community service. Lasorda’s signature, authenticated by Kevin Keating, is mint 9.
Winning Bid $100.
Lot 55. Tommy John Autographed Majestic Genuine Merchandise Size XL Yankees Home Jersey. Mint jersey with an nm-m 8 signature on the front authenticated by Kevin Keating. AT THE WINNING BIDDER’S REQUEST, John will sign the back as well, personalize the signature and add two notations concerning his career.
Winning Bid $110.
Lot 62. Baseball Signed to Tommy John by Teenager and A.L. MVP JOSH HAMILTON. In the late 1990s, John coached Charlotte Christian School in the North Carolina High School Baseball Championships at Raleigh. When a woman approached with a baseball, he thought she wanted him to sign it. Instead, she presented him with a baseball autographed by Raleigh native and teenage baseball phenomenon Josh Hamilton! His signature is a 10 on the sweet spot of a nm-m Wilson baseball. The first overall pick in the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft, Hamilton signed the north panel: “To Tommy John, From one Lefty to another!” John signed the south panel; his signature is light. After battling drug and alcohol addiction, Hamilton has had three consecutive All-Star seasons. Last year, he won the A.L. batting championship with a .359 average and drove in 100 runs. He received 22 of 28 votes for MVP. This is a truly unique item linking a great lefty and a lefty with great potential! Kevin Keating authenticated the autographs, and John has provided a letter of provenance.
Winning Bid $354.
Lot 64. Jack Clark Signed 1990 Padres Game Home Jersey. Nm-m 8 autograph authenticated by Kevin Keating on the right side of the uniform above “Padres.” The Rawlings size 50 jersey has a “Set 2 1990” tag inside. It has stains on the left front. A four-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger Award recipient, Clark batted .267 in 18 seasons, hit 340 home runs, drove in 1,180, scored 1,118 runs and ripped 332 doubles. The jersey comes with an authentication letter “From the Desk of Tommy John.”
Winning Bid $152.
Lot 65. Baseball Broadcaster Collection with Signatures by Caray, Harwell, Buck and Mazer. A signed letter “From the Desk of Tommy John” accompanies this collection. The autograph of ERNIE HARWELL (died 2010) is on the flyleaf of his book “Tuned to Baseball.” Gem mint 10 signature, nm-m 1985 apparent first edition book, ex-m+ dust jacket. The signature of HARRY CARAY (d. 1998) is on two items, an unofficial baseball and a “Holy Cow!” size large T-shirt with his face superimposed on the body of a cow. His autograph on the sweet sport of the bright white baseball – as “Holy Cow! Harry Caray” – is ex-m 6 to nm 7. He signed the T-shirt as “Harry”; nm-m 8. His autographs are accompanied by an unsigned 1988 tribute program. JACK BUCK (d. 2002) signed the flyleaf of the softcover book “We Saw Stars,” which he wrote with Stan Musial and Bob Broeg. The personalized signature, dated 1977, is gem mint 10. The 1976 book is ex. The other signers are: Indians, Reds and Red Sox broadcaster KEN COLEMAN (d. 2003), twice, in “Talking on Air: A Broadcaster’s Life in Sports,” 2000, nm book, vg-ex dj. He signed on the flyleaf and the next blank page with his co-author, Dan Valenti. These autographs are personalized 10s. BILL MAZER’S autograph is also a personalized 10; it’s on the flyleaf of his book, “Amazin’ Baseball,” 1999 first printing, ex-m book and dj. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $134.
Lot 66. Baseball Signed by Rod Dedeaux, the Top College Coach, to Coach Tommy John. College baseball’s winningest coach with a record of 1,332-571-11 (.699), Dedeaux autographed the south panel of a 1984 Olympics official baseball. On the sweet spot, he wrote, “To My Favorite Pitching Coach USC – USA.” John was his favorite. He often took time out to coach Dedeaux’s pitchers at USC, and he worked with the 1984 Olympics team as well. Dedeaux had a two-game major league career as an outfielder with Brooklyn in 1935. As a college coach, he led Southern Cal to 11 national championships. He also helped to develop 59 major leaguers, including Tom Seaver, Mark McGwire, Randy Johnson, Fred Lynn, Dave Kingman, Roy Smalley, Don Buford, Ron Fairly, Rich Dauer, Steve Busby, Jim Barr and Steve Kemp. His signature is nm-m 8 to mint 9; it appears that some writing may have been removed before his autograph was applied. The ball has strong pre-printed areas and shows light-to-moderate uneven discoloration. Kevin Keating authenticated the signature. The ball comes with a signed letter “From the Desk of Tommy John.”
Winning Bid $83.
Lot 67. Rickey Henderson Boldly Signed OAL Bobby Brown Ball. Mint 9 to gem mint 10 signature on the sweet spot. The ball is nm. Henderson, who entered the Hall of Fame in 2009, tends to be a reluctant signer. Authenticated by Kevin Keating and accompanied by a signed letter “From the Desk of Tommy John.”
Winning Bid $68.
Lot 68. Signed Photos of Jackson’s 500th HR, Henderson’s 939th Stolen Base and More! Five signed photos and an autographed cereal box from the Tommy John Collection. The Jackson and Henderson photos are mounted on 13” x 10.5” plaques. Each has a brass plate describing the event. Jackson’s autograph is a 9 of 10, and Henderson’s, a 10. In addition, the collection includes signed photos by Ron Darling, Brett Butler, Carl Pavanow (Red Sox uniform) and Lenny Dykstra (magazine photo). Their signatures are 10s. The Kellogg’s Corn Flakes box, apparently from 1983, is autographed by A.L. umpire Mike Reilly. His appearance on the cereal box was a natural. He was raised in Battle Creek, MI, the center of the breakfast cereal industry, and still lives there. As a result, broadcaster Ernie Harwell dubbed him “Corn Flakes Reilly.” Regarded as a pitcher’s umpire, Reilly umpired four World Series, four All-Star Games and numerous League Championships and Division Series. He retired in February. His signature, personalized to John, is an 8. This collection comes with a signed letter “From the Desk of Tommy John.”
Minimum Bid $70.
Lot 69. Derek Jeter Autographed 8” x 10” Color Photo. Bold, unimprovable gem mint 10 signature on a photo that shows Jeter at shortstop. Kevin Keating authenticated the signature. A signed “From the Desk of Tommy John” letter accompanies the photo.
Winning Bid $121.
Lot 70. Two Autographs by Wayne Huizenga and One by Tommy John. Huizenga brought major league baseball to South Florida. He owned the Florida Marlins from their inaugural season in 1993 until 1998. His autograph is large and mint 9 to gem mint 10 on the sweet spot of an ONL William White baseball. He also signed “Wayne” at the end of an inscription on the bill of a Marlins cap to: “Tommy, You’re the greatest. Go Marlins.’’ In addition, John signed an 8” x 10” color photo that includes him, Huizenga, Huizenga’s wife and other individuals. John’s signature is a 10. Kevin Keating authenticated the three autographs, which are 9s or 10s.
Minimum Bid $50.
Lot 71. Jim Catfish Hunter (HoF) Gem Mint 10 Autograph on a Mint OAL Budig Baseball. Hunter passed away in 1999, and his autograph is relatively scarce. This is an outstanding example, a 10, from the Tommy John Collection. The ball has an authentication number stamped at the top of the pre-printed area. It is accompanied by an autographed 1995 Jimmy Dean “All Time Greats” card, which comes with a Jimmy Dean Certificate of Authenticity. The signature on the card is nm 7. Kevin Keating authenticated both autographs. The ball and the card are housed in a display. Two autographs of the Hall of Fame A’s and Yankees pitcher accompanied by a letter “From the Desk of Tommy John”!
Winning Bid $225.
Lot 73. Clyde King Signed Autobiography A King’s Legacy. King, who passed away last year, spent more than 60 years in baseball. He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers and Red and managed the San Francisco Giants, Braves and Yankees. For many years, he served as a special advisor to Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. Self-published and very scarce, King’s 1999 softcover book is ex. His autograph on the title page is a 10 of 10 at the end of a lengthy inscription to John dated Sept. 12, 1999. Authenticated by Kevin Keating. Comes with a “Property of Tommy John” label.
Minimum Bid $75.
Lot 74. Joe Morgan Signed First Edition of Baseball My Way. Mint 9 to gem mint 10 autograph authenticated by Kevin Keating on the front end-page. Ex-m book, vg-ex dust jacket. Comes with a “Property of Tommy John” label.
Winning Bid $30.
