Ruth, Cobb signed baseballs pace Coach’s Corner Ja

A George Herman Ruth autographed baseball, signed in black fountain pen, sold for $5,367 to headline Coach's Corner's 3,323-lot January auction.

The company spent $120,000 to upgrade its computer bidding recently, which the company said made bidding easier during this auction.

Coach's Corner president Scott Malack said the upgrades were necessary because last-minute Internet bidders were having problems getting their bids recorded.

Meanwhile, the second-highest selling price was realized for a signed and unbranded Superstars of Baseball bat that brought $4,888. The bat included the signatures of George Sisler, Cy Young, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Ruth and others.

The third-highest item was a "Tyrus R. Cobb" certified official American League ball that sold for $4,620, followed by a Joe Tinker certified official League ball that sold for $4,268. A Walter Johnson signed practice ball was hammered down for $3,768.

Other notable sales included $2,721 for a Jesse Burkett signed ball, $2,333 for a Jimmie Foxx signed MacGregor ball and $2,205 for a signed Mordecai Brown Harwood Little League ball and the same amount for a signed Lou Gehrig ball.

More sales included $1,656 for a 1938 New York Yankees signed team ball, $1,552 for a signed Roger Maris ball, $1,551 for an autographed 1938 Boston Red Sox ball, $1,418 for a signed Paul Waner official AL ball, $1,347 for a Hugh Duffy signed Rawlings ball, $1,329 for a Honus Wagner signed Energized ball and $1,001 for a John J. McGraw signed Spalding ball.

Bids for all Coach's Corner Auctions are accepted online at www.myccsa.com, by phone at 215-721-9162 or by mail prior to the auction date.

- Ted Taylor