Jackie Robinson bat sells for record $1 million at Goldin

The bat Jackie Robinson used in the 1949 MLB All-Star game sold for a record $1,080,000 Saturday in Goldin’s Jackie Robinson’s 75^th Anniversary Auction.

The bat was purchased by Hunt Auctions for a private client.

The 1949 game marked the first time black players were allowed to play in the MLB All-Star game. Robinson, who broke the MLB color barrier in 1947, had a double and scored three runs in the game. After the game, Robinson, who won the 1949 NL MVP award, kept the bat for his personal collection.

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“We are elated to have been able to purchase the 1949 Robinson All-Star bat on behalf of our client. The direct provenance from Rachel Robinson and the added historical significance of the 1949 All-Star Game being played in Brooklyn place this example at the pinnacle of Jackie game bats.” David Hunt, president of Hunt Auctions, said. 

“For years we have witnessed pricing increase for items related to Robinson’s iconic career and see more room for growth as his legacy is becoming, appropriately so, more significant to each generation of fans. We are thrilled to have been involved in such an important transaction for this historic artifact on behalf of our client.”

Hunt Auctions previously sold a 1950 Jackie Robinson Brooklyn Dodgers professional model home jersey in 2020 for a record $4.2 million. The record for baseball memorabilia is a circa 1928-30 Babe Ruth New York Yankees professional model road jersey sold by Hunt in 2019 for $5.64 million.

The bat was one of three Robinson items to top six figures. Another bat used by Robinson in the mid-1950s sold for $432,000. His 1962 Hall of Fame plaque sold for $336,000.

The Robinson bat also was one of three items to top $1 million in the Goldin auction.

A 1916 Sporting News Babe Ruth rookie card graded PSA 6 sold for $1.5 million, a record for the grade.

A 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection LeBron James Rookie Patch Auto card, graded BGS 9, sold for $1,062,000.

Other big six-figure sales included:

• A 2020 Topps Chrome F1 1-of-1 Lewis Hamilton SuperFractor for $900,000, a record for any racing card.

• A 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket #144 Tom Brady card, graded BGS 8, for $912,000.

• A 1980-81 Topps Larry Bird/Magic Johnson rookie card (including Julius Erving), graded BVG 10, for $552,000.