Jordan’s ‘Flu’ Shoes Spreading to Collectors

The flu isn't something you really want to be associated with at any time or in any form. But in the past few weeks, Grey Flannel has been spreading the flu germ (in the form of news regarding a one-of-a-kind collectible) like nobody’s business.

From ESPN to Sports Illustrated and everywhere in between, tidbits about Grey Flannel’s inclusion of the “Flu Shoes” – the shoes worn by Michael Jordan during Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz while he was reportedly battling the illness – have been shared for weeks.

The result is spirted bidding for just one of the hundreds of premier items in Grey Flannel’s Holiday Catalog Auction that ends Dec. 11 at www.greyflannel.com.

We’ll get to the usual crop of amazing game-used jerseys in a moment, but first, here are some highlights in the realm of championship rings and signed memorabilia.

Leading off the auction is 1932 Sam Byrd N.Y. Yankees Championship players ring, with an LOA from the Byrd family. If vintage Yankees championship rings aren’t your style, perhaps a 2009 N.Y. Yankees Championship ring (Mint “A” ring, coaches LOA) is more up your alley.

Other rings of note include Muhammad Ali’s 1974 Heavyweight World Champion entourage ring, 1960 Jerry Lucas Olympic Team Hall of Fame induction ring, 1994 Rashaan Salaam University of Colorado Heisman Trophy ring and a pair of Green Bay Packers championships: Bob Skoronski’s 1965 ring and Bernardo Harris’ 1996 ring.

A couple of other unique Yankees-related items includes an Official Scorer’s scorecard signed by Don Larsen from his perfect game in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series and Mickey Mantle’s “Oklahoma’s Outstanding Minor Leaguer of 1950” Award presented by the Tulsa Chapter Old Timers Baseball Association in 1951.

While those items are mighty impressive, let’s get down to the game-used artifacts that are Grey Flannel’s staple.

The game-worn jerseys cover every sport and nearly every generation. The early frontrunner is a 2009 Yankees jersey of Derek Jeter. For added measure, the item is in the condition it left Jeter’s back. Sticking with baseball, you’ll also find these gems in the lineup: 1965 Steve Carlton rookie St. Louis Cardinals jersey (later reissued and worn by Stan Musial as an instructor), 1982 Pete Rose Philadelphia Phillies road jersey, 1992 Nolan Ryan Texas Rangers uniform, 1969 Joe Morgan Houston Astros road jersey (only known version), 1962 Rocky Colavito Detroit Tiger uniform and 1946 Duke Snider Fort Worth Cats jersey.

Game-worn basketball jerseys are led by the following: 1975-76 Dave Twardzik Virginia Squires uniform, circa 1948 Sid Tannenbaum N.Y. Knicks jersey, 1979-80 Bill Walton San Diego Clippers road jersey, circa 1984 George Gervin San Antonio Spurs road jersey, 1975-76 John Havlicek Boston Celtics road warm-up jacket and 1974-75 Rick Barry Golden State Warriors home jersey.

Football game-used jerseys are led by the Green Bay Packers jersey worn by Brett Favre on Sept. 30, 2007, when he broke the all-time record for touchdown passes in the NFL. This will be joined by a 2010 Minnesota Vikings road jersey of Adrian Peterson and a 1979 Larry Csonka Miami Dolphins road jersey.

Other sports memorabilia expected to draw heavy bidding includes a Ty Cobb single-signed ball, 1928 N.Y. Yankees team-signed ball with Ruth and Gehrig, Roberto Duran fight-worn and signed gloves from 1980, 1938-40 Hank Greenberg game-used bat and a 1971 Thurman Munson game-used bat.

The aforementioned items are just some of the lots offered in this sale. To view the complete catalog, log onto www.greyflannel.com. Call (631) 288-7800 for more information.