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The Tommy John Collection
12 Lots
 Lot 274. Tommy John Signed 1977 Contract Rider Related to Baseball’s Reserve System. The two-page copied document has original signatures dated March 2, 1977 by John and Al Campanis, vice president and general manger of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Campanis died in 1998. The signatures, authenticated by Kevin Keating, are gem mint 10. The rider asserts that the form for a new Uniform Player’s Contract is not yet available. When it is, “the Club and the Player will be bound by the new Reserve System as provided in the Basic Agreement.” The rider is time-stamped “National League Mar 7 9:58 AM ’77.”
Minimum Bid $100.
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 Lot 275. 3 Pairs of John’s Game-Used Shoes, One a Signed First-of-a-King Pair, and a Signed Poster. In 1978, his final season with the Dodgers, Tommy John suffered an Achilles tendon injury. As he recovered from the injury, his doctors suggested that he wear cowboy boots to relieve pressure on his heel. The boots helped. As he thought about the upcoming season, John recognized that the baseball spikes available then were flat. It occurred to him that a raised heel in his baseball shoes would be beneficial. Soon he called upon his cousin Donald, an expert cobbler, to modify a pair of shoes for him. Donald placed a wedge in a pair of shoes to raise the heel. The fix worked, preventing pain in John’s heel as he opened his first season as a Yankee in 1979. Subsequently, John became as spokesman for PONY, and he had the shoe manufacturer produce shoes for him with raised heels. Offered here are the black shoes modified by John’s cousin. “Those shoes were heavy,” John recalls. “PONY came up with lighter technology.” The 288-game winner, the seventh winningest pitcher among lefties, signed the toes of both shoes modified by his cousin. The signatures are nm-m 8. They are accompanied by a pair each of game-used shoes from John’s years with the Dodgers and the Angels. Also, three signed “Property of Thomas Edward John” labels. Also included is 23” x 34” PONY poster that shows John pitching for the Yankees. He has signed a black area of the poster in silver sharpie. The signature is large, bold and mint 9. Autographs authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $125.
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 Lot 276. Tommy John’s 2002 ALS Association Lou Gehrig Sports Award. In 1981, John was selected as the recipient of the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, which is given annually to the Major League Baseball player who best exhibits the character and integrity of Gehrig on and off the field. John considers receiving the award, which remains part of his collection, to be one of his most important achievements. After the death of Catfish Hunter from ALS, John made the disease the focus of his philanthropic work. In 2002, the ALS Association honored him for his support of ALS research, his athletic achievements and his community service. Offered here is the engraved glass award presented to John on Oct. 22. Made in Japan for Tiffany & Co., it is 7.75” tall, 4.5” across and up to 2” deep at the base. David Cone was honored at the benefit program, and sports journalist Dick Schaap was honored posthumously. The program for the benefit is included, along with the 2003 program and a baseball cap from the ALS Association. The award is nm-m. It will be accompanied by a signed “Property of Thomas Edward John” label.
Winning Bid $100.
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 Lot 277. John Signed California Angels Cap, Shoes, Pants, Etc – 250+ Items! PLEASE NOTE: THE DESCRIPTION THAT FOLLOWS IS CORRECT. THE ACCOMPANYING PHOTO IS NOT. THIS LOT DOES NOT CONTAIN A TOMMY JOHN SIGNED JACKET. THE ITEMS LISTED IN THE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION ARE INCLUDED: John pitched for Gene Autry and the California Angels from 1982 until June 1985. The key elements of this collection are: 1. An Angels’ cap by New Era, possibly game-used; nm-m 8 to mint 9 signature on the bill. 2. Angels’ game-worn M. Goodman & Sons pants with John’s #25 tag in the waist. 3. Angles’ game pants with No. 76 in the waist and John’s mint 9 autograph on the front. 4. Pair of game-used red shoes; John placed an nm-m 8 to mint 9 autograph on each. 5. OAL MacPhail baseball signed on the sweet spot by John. Nm cream-colored ball, nm-m 8 autograph. 6-14. Nine items autographed by John, including two different postcards, four 8” x 10” photos (three different), 1982 and 1983 8.5” x 11” team photos and a booklet from his Golf Classic. Mint 9 and gem mint 10 signatures. Also: 15-16. Two pairs of Angels’ stirrups. 17-20. Four pairs of baseball spikes, two pairs unused. 21. 1970s full-sized pennant, vg-ex. 22-196. About 175 unsigned b&w postcards with John’s image. 197-202. Seven unsigned color postcards picturing John. 203-257. One 1982, 40 1983 and 14 1984 unsigned 8.5” x 11” team photos. 258-261. Four undershirts, two with his number, name or both in the neck 262. An unsigned 8” x 10” photo of John. 263-265. Three large towels, two different, with the Angels’ logo.
Winning Bid $240.
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 Lot 278. Tommy John Signed Home Plate, Bat, Ball and Seven Other Autographed Items. Among the items is a 1978 Bowie Kuhn Official World Series ball that John autographed on the sweet spot. The signature is mint 9, and the ball, nm+. John pitched the Dodgers to victory in one of the two games they won against the Yankees. John’s autograph is a beauty, gem mint 10, on a Worth 34” Tommy John Model bat. From a Don Mattingly game, home plate is slightly smaller than the real thing and has a hole in the center as made and a Mattingly facsimile signature. The John autograph is the real thing – nm-m 8. Five of John’s signatures are on his book “T.J.: My 26 Years in Baseball,” 1991. He signed the title page of the hardback edition (mint book and ex-m dust jacket) and numbered it 39 of 59 signed. Four copies of the title page are also signed in the paperback version; they are numbered 28, 56, 61 and 65 of 87. The softcovers average ex. Also, a signed Yankees 1989 bumper sticker and an autographed 1988 Fleer card #211. All of the autographs are nm-m 8 or better and have been authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Minimum Bid $95.
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 Lot 279. 4 Tommy John Store Model Baseball Gloves, All Autographed. John’s autographs, authenticated by Kevin Keating, are nm-m 8 or better on the back of the thumb or small finger of these gloves. All are Wilson models – A2277, both for lefties, one a Youth Model and the other a larger variety; and two A2260, both for right-handers and large enough to fit a small adult hand. The regular A2277 glove is ex; the Youth Model, ex-m+; one A2260 ex-m with “Tommy John” printed on the strap on the back, and the other, vg+ to ex with writing on it in two places. These gloves come with a Yankees-New York Bus Services youth glove that has “Tommy John” printed on it and otherwise is ex-m+. As a bonus, we’ve included 19 mostly used batting or golf gloves. Autographs authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Minimum Bid $60.
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 Lot 280. Tommy John Little League Collection Including an Award and 3 Signed Items. For years, John actively supported Little League. In 2002, he received the organization’s William A. (Bill) Shea Distinguished Little League Graduate Award “for exemplifying the true spirit of Little League Baseball and serving as a positive role model and inspiration to millions of aspiring Little Leaguers.” The handsome acrylic award is 11” tall, 7” across and 2.5” deep. John autographed a Rawlings Hall of Fame Official League ball (gem mint 10 autograph), a 2005 Little League World Series (mint 9 on the bill) and a Little League World Series VIP cap (nm-m 8). The ball rests on a glove-style holder given to John by the Easton Little League in 1988. This collection includes 12 World Series programs, which average ex-m, from 1991-96, 1999, 2002 (2) and 2010 (3). Harvey Frommer presents Little League history in “Growin Up at Bat: 50 Years of Little League Baseball,” 1989, vg. Among 33 other publications are two different issues of “Little League Magazine,” a program from the 1992 Little League Baseball 19th International Congress; state publications from Minnesota, Indiana and Florida, and 18 copies of the 1993 “Little League Magazine for Kids” with John and his family on the cover. Ex-m overall. Other items are a 4.25” clock with the Little League logo; five Little League caps from 1993, 1995, 2002, 2007 and 2010; a cap from ABC’s Wide World of Sports’ 1994 Little League coverage; three coat hooks for the 1996 series; pins from the 1991, 2007, 2009 and 2010 (2) Series; a 2007 pin from the Saudi All Stars; a 2003 Series official ball; a VHS tape with two features, “Keep ‘em Safe” and “Six Innings – The Little League Report”; and two jerseys given to John by players. Three news clippings covering John’s Little League career are also included. More than 70 items.
Winning Bid $68.
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 Lot 281. Tommy John’s World Children’s Baseball Fair (WCBF) Autographed Jersey. Established in 1989 by home run kings Sadaharu Oh and Hank Aaron, the WCBF seeks “to share the dream of friendship and team work with the children and to sow the seeds of that dream through our international baseball fair.” It provides tools and encouragement for children to grow and become citizens of the world and build international bridges that connect and unite them through their love of baseball. The annual fair brings children together from around the world for a week-long series of events. John was an advocate for the organization in its early years. He was one of the primary spokesmen at the inaugural fair in Los Angeles in 1990. His signature on his WCBF nm-m jersey is nm-m 8. His name and No. 25 are on the back of the jersey, which he wore in an old-timers game at the Los Angeles fair. John recalls striking out Sadaharu Oh in the game. With the jersey are two programs for 1990, one for 1993 and a signed “Property of Thomas Edward John” label.
Minimum Bid $75.
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 Lot 282. Baseball Signed by Sadaharu Oh (English and Japanese), Banks, John, 19 Others. This baseball was signed at an early 1990s World Children’s Baseball Fair, either 1990 in Los Angeles or 1993 in San Diego. Home run king Oh and Hank Aaron established the international organization in 1989. The autographs are very strong, almost all mint 9 or gem mint 10. They are on a mint Wilson Little League baseball. Minnie Minoso and Gene Mauch share the sweet spot The north panel belongs to George Foster, Tommy John, Mike Torrez, Graig Nettles and Doc Ellis. Occupants of the south panel are Steve Garvey, Rennie Stennett, Mike Schmidt, Lou Brock and Jerry Grote. Sadaharu Oh signed the east panel, as did Tommie Agee, John Montefusco, Bobby Bonds and Roy White. Oh and Agee signed over printed specifications pertaining to the ball. Mudcat Grant, Larry Sorensen and Ed Kranepool are on the west panel. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $125.
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 Lot 283. Tommy John Collection of 9 Watches and a Universal Clock. John accumulated these timepieces over the years primarily while attending sports events or participating in interviews. The clock, which is 6” tall and 5” across, was given to John for supporting the Cresskill-Alpine Baseball Program. A brass plate expresses appreciation to the 288-game winner. The clock is not working, and we are uncertain whether it can be repaired. Here is a list of the 9 watches: 1. Henry Kay quartz watch by Benrus. Mint in the box, which John signed. The autograph has an nm 7 appearance on a black background. 2. Used Nicole Miller watch with a baseball and crossed bats on the face. 3-4. Two TV Asahi watches, mint in the box. 5. Lafayette Watch Co. timepiece with the National League logo on the face. Nm. 6. Jack Daniels Old No. 7 watch. Mint. 7. Woman’s watch from Image Watches, mint in the box. 8. Cheval quartz watch with a spider and web on the face. Mint. 9. Pierre Michel watch with two separate clocks. Mint. Six watches have leather bands; the others are plastic. None of the watches works. We assume that new batteries will correct this condition, but we don’t guarantee that it will. The watches come with two signed “Property of Thomas Edward John” labels. Kevin Keating authenticated the autographs.
Winning Bid $50.
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 Lot 284. Tommy John All-Star Game Collection – 1979 A.L. Team-Signed Ball, John Suitcase, Etc. Highlights of this group are a suitcase given to John as a member of the 1979 American League All-Star squad and an Official All-Star baseball signed by 23 member of the A.L. team. The 21” x 13” x 7” cloth suitcase has on one side the logo for the 50th All-Star Game, which was played at the Kingdome in Seattle. Vg+ to ex with zippers that don’t work well. The baseball, off-white and nm, is signed by manager Bob Lemon on the sweet spot; Cecil Cooper, Ron Guidry, Mark Clear, Jeff Newman, Bob Stanley and Nolan Ryan on the north panel; Tommy John, Brian Downing, Jim Rice, Sid Monge and Rick Burleson on the south; Roy Hartsfield, Darrell Johnson, Chet Lemon and Bruce Bochte on the east; and Roy Smalley, Ken Singleton, Don Lemanczyk, Rod Carew, Don Baylor and Steve Kemp on the west. Don Stanhouse signed atop the printed label. Kevin Keating authenticated the autographs. Other items include a ticket for the 1978 game in San Diego (ex), and stubs for 1992 (San Diego, 3, vg-ex) and 1998 (Colorado, 2, vg and vg-ex); caps from the 1998, 1999 and 2002 games; seat cushions (2) from the 2002 game in Milwaukee; at least 75 paper coasters from the 1979 game in Seattle; six baggage tags from three different games; a plastic baseball cap bank from 1998 in Denver; plastic hotel “keys” from 1998 (2) and 2003 (Chicago); a 2000 (Atlanta) FanFest pin; a 9” pennant from 2005 (Detroit, nm-m); and tickets or stubs for six All-Star related events, such as All-Star Sunday, Work-Out Day, etc. Also, John’s rolling backpack from the 2000 All-Star Game. These bags are given to players and celebrity attendees. All this comes with three signed “Property of Thomas Edward John” labels. The 1979 team ball alone, with Nolan Ryan and other stars, is well worth our starting bid.
Winning Bid $172.
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