Auction Watch - Mike Schmidt Collection, Part II
A selection of memorabilia originating from Phillies Hall of Famer, Mike Schmidt's personal collection is once again up for bid. This group of 21 lots which spans his 18-year professional career, as well as a few items from his early and post-retirement years is up for bid as part of Goldin Auctions', 2015 Summer Auction. This is the second time Goldin has scored a number of significant pieces from Schmidt - the lots included in their 2014 Fall Auction garnered national attention, resulting in bids totaling nearly $200k. Though there is some "filler", sales from "part two" should rival those results. Below are a few highlights...
Lot # 58 - Mike Schmidt, 1979 Gold Glove Award
Over his career, Mike Schmidt won 10 Rawlings Gold Gloves - including this one, his third, awarded for superb glove-work in 1979. With a starting bid of $10,000, the award will be priced out of most of our budgets - but, it is an amazing opportunity for a serious Schmidt collector. Note: Schmidt's 1984 Gold Glove sold for $44,770 as part of the Fall auction. See the Lot
Lot # 125 - Mike Schmidt, 1976 Mel Ott Memorial Award
As an 8-time National League Home Run Champion, Schmidt has a few Mel Ott Awards up on his wall. The one offered for auction is from his 38-homer campaign in 1976. While not as widely recognized as a Gold Glove, it is still a very attractive piece for a Phillies/Schmidt collector. If we use the sale of his 1986 Mel Ott Award as a guide, bids could approach $10,000 (The 1986 award was sold in 2014 for $9,480). See the lot
Lot # 134 - Phillies Single-Season Home Run Record Ball
Another gem from the 1979 season, this game used ball put Schmidt on top of the Phillies single-season home run record list with 44 (he ended the season with 45) - passing Chuck Klein's long standing record (43 in 1929). Even though the mark has been eclipsed several times since, this ball is rightfully recognized as a significant part of Phillies history. See the lot
A Few More...
The Fall auction contained several pieces from Schmidt's childhood and collegiate career. Schmidt fans who missed out on his college letterman jacket may be interested in either his Little League hat, or his 1971 All-American certificate... Schmidt's retirement on Memorial Day 1989 rocked my young world. Up for bid is the official notice from Major League Baseball recognizing his request to be added to the Voluntarily Retired List... More milestone baseballs can be had - 2,000th career hit ball and HR #494 (passing Lou Gehrig)...