The Louisville Slugger bat that baseball star Chris Chambliss used to send the New York Yankees sailing into the 1976 World Series will sell as part of Hunt Auctions' sale at the MLB All-Star FanFest on July 15-16.
|
The bat is the same that Chambliss used to hit the legendary home run that secured the Yankees a 7-6 victory in Game 5 of the 1976 American League Championship Series against the Kansas City Royals.
The walk-off home run triggered a pitch invasion from frenzied fans, with Chambliss unable to find third base as he struggled through the masses.
He never found home base, but later returned to the pitch escorted by two police officers only to discover that it had been dug up and stolen. He touched the area where it once lay to secure the victory.
Thankfully, third baseman Graig Nettles saw the first few fans leap over the fence and saved Chambliss' bat from being taken, using it to fend them off.
Also selling is the ball that Chambliss hit, which landed out of the reach of any fans between the outfield wall and the bleachers. It was returned to him by a security guard.
Chambliss has timed the sale perfectly, explaining that he consigned the items due to the 2013 All-Star Game being held at New York's Citi Field - home of the Mets.
"I don't know the next time an All-Star Game will be in New York," he explained to the New York Times. "I've enjoyed these pieces for a long time. This is a chance to let the fans enjoy them."
Timing the sale of your collectibles can be the key to a considerable profit. Find out more about the lucrative collectibles market here.