Dodgers Blue Heaven: Jackie Robinson Foundation Auction at Goldin's

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Jackie Robinson Foundation Auction at Goldin's

Following on the heals of the nationally celebrated Baseball holiday, Jackie Robinson Day, comes Goldin's Spring Premium Auction that features numerous collectibles that will directly benefit the Jackie Robinson Foundation. The coolest item, without a shadow of a doubt, is the above 1951 game-used Brooklyn Dodger home jersey. (Auction Link) Per the auction description:

1951 was an excellent season for Jackie, as he had his second-highest career batting average of .338, which only trailed Hall of Famers Stan Musial and Richie Ashburn at seasons end. Robinson also had solid power numbers that included 19 home runs and 88 RBI as he helped the Brooklyn Dodgers to a 97-60 record. The Dodgers and Giants both finished with a 96-58 record, which forced a best-of-three series to decide the National League pennant and was ultimately won on the Giants’ Bobby Thomson’s famous “Shot Heard Round The World” walk-off home run in the deciding third game.

A 1947 rookie Jackie Robinson jersey sold for an astounding $2,600,000 last year, but I'd be surprised if this sold for anything near that. Nevertheless, it's a scarce jersey worthy of admission to any sports related museum. Heck, the auction listing even states that the soon-to-be built Jackie Robinson Museum has expressed interest in displaying it should the winning choose to place it on loan.

If you're not interested in a jersey, how about a game-used bat that was once held by Jackie?

Featured here is a 1953 Jackie Robinson Game Used Hillerich & Bradsby R17 Model Bat
(Auction Link). Per the auction description:

This offered bat was used by Jackie Robinson during that pivotal 1953 season. Surviving factory records enable PSA/DNA to definitively date this bat to the Jackie’s 1953 pennant-winning season. This bat’s combination weight of 34.7 ounces and 35-inch length corresponds to the order placed on June 19th specifying several 34-ounce/35-inch R17 model bats. According to PSA/DNA it is common for vintage bats to vary in weight as much 1.5 ounces from their ordered weight.