Mel Ott’s Personal Memorabilia Collection heads to auction

Various memorabilia pieces from the late Mel Ott are available in the upcoming SCP Auctions’ 2017 Fall Premier Auction.

Eight different lots from the Baseball Hall of Famer’s personal collection will be available, with each item accompanied by a letter from the Ott Family. The online auction runs through Sat., Nov. 4.

“It’s our pleasure to auction off these items from Mel Ott’s Family,” said SCP Auctions President David Kohler. “He truly was a baseball treasure and we look forward to seeing how the bidding goes.”

The top Ott item to be auctioned will be his 1948 New York Giants game worn uniform from his final season of managing in the major leagues. The uniform, including jersey, pants and stirrups, was on loan to the Baseball Hall of Fame from 2013 to 2016 and comes with documentation of its time on display at Cooperstown.

Other lots include his 1938 All-America Board of Baseball sweater; a pair of circa 1940 game-worn cleats; a pair of game worn pants from his managerial days with the Oakland Oaks of the PCL (1951-52); and his 1958 American League season pass in its original brown leather case.

Ott was a longtime right fielder for the New York Giants who played a total of 22 seasons (1926 to 1947). A perennial All-Star, he was selected to the National League squad 12 consecutive times from 1934 to 1945. A six-time N.L. home run champ, he finished his career with 511 round-trippers and was only the third player – and first National League slugger – to crack the magical 500 home run plateau behind fellow legends Babe Ruth and Jimmie Foxx. A career .304 hitter, Ott tallied 2,876 hits including 488 doubles and 72 triples, and drove in 1,860 runs. During the latter part of his career, Ott became a player/manager for the Giants. He served in that dual capacity from 1942 through the ’47 season and then simply served as manager in 1948. He was inducted into Cooperstown in 1951 and served as a baseball broadcaster from 1955-58. He died in 1958 following a car accident at the age of 49. Since 1959, the National League has honored its annual home run champion with the Mel Ott Award.

Bidding begins Oct. 18, and closes on Nov. 4. For more information on how to participate and take part in the bidding, call 949-831-3700 or visit www.scpauctions.com.