Willie McCovey memorabilia prominent in Grey Flannel Auction’s sale

Willie McCovey played 22 years in the major leagues and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986. In the current auction hosted by Grey Flannel Auctions, an abundance of lots feature items related to McCovey.

One of the premier McCovey items available in the auction is a 500 Home Run Trophy presented to him on field in 1978. McCovey reached the 500 home run milestone on June 30, 1978. The trophy features a batter on the top and four smaller batters surrounding it beneath. The engraving on the trophy plate reads, “WILLIE McCOVEY 500TH MAJOR LEAGUE CAREER HOME RUN 6/30/78 – ATLANTA STADIUM PITCHER: JAMIE EASTERLY, BRAVES 2ND INNING – BASES EMPTY NO OUTS – COUNT: 0-2.” The trophy is accompanied by a picture of McCovey on the field being presented with the offered trophy.

Other McCovey items in the auction include, but are not limited to: 1967 Willie McCovey San Francisco Giants game-used road flannel jersey, McCovey 1969 MLB All-Star game outstanding performance Arch Ward Memorial Award (MVP Trophy), 1969 McCovey National League Player of the Year Sporting News Award, 1973 McCovey San Francisco Giants game-used road uniform, 1971 McCovey San Francisco Giants All-Star game platter, 1977 McCovey San Francisco Giants 2,000th hit game-used mounted bat display presented to him on field, 1976 McCovey San Francisco game-used Bicentennial bat, 1978 McCovey San Francisco Giants game-used orange jersey (apparent match to his 500 home run at bat), 1978 McCovey San Francisco Giants 500th home run mounted bat display, 6/9/1979 McCovey game-used home run #512 ONL baseball, and 1980 McCovey San Francisco Giants game-used black alternate jersey.

A variety of game-used bats from players with names other than “McCovey” are also featured in the auction. Top game-used bats include: 2001 Barry Bonds San Francisco Giants game-used and autographed home run #551 bat, 1998 Mark McGwire St. Louis Cardinals game-used home run bat photo-matched to home run 49 from his 70 home run season, 2002 Derek Jeter New York Yankees game-used and autographed home run bat, 1991-97 Cal Ripken Jr. Baltimore Orioles game-used and dual-autographed bat, and 1998 Jim Thome Cleveland Indians game-used bat.

Game-used jerseys are highlighted by: a 1973 Mickey Lolich Detroit Tigers game-used home jersey, 1974 Carl Yastrzemski Boston Red Sox game-used and autographed home jersey, 1995 Roger Clemens Boston Red Sox game-used road jersey, 1983 Tom Seaver New York Mets game-used and autographed road jersey, and 1993 Rickey Henderson Oakland A’s game-used road jersey.

Card collectors are not shut out, with the top card in the auction a newly discovered 1891 John H. Ryder Cy Young Cabinet card graded PSA/DNA PR 1. The card is one of only two known.

Other key baseball card lots include: 1952 Topps Baseball complete card set, 1953 Topps Baseball complete card set, late 1800s Cleveland Spiders and others Baseball Cabinet cards, 1968 Topps Baseball complete card set, and 1954 Topps Baseball complete card set.

Bidding ends July 17.

For a complete list of lots in the auction visit www.greyflannelauctions.com.