Ed Delahanty’s pocket watch to star in baseball sale

A rose gold pocket watch belonging to baseball Hall of Famer “Big” Ed Delahanty is among the lead lots of Christie’s Golden Age of Baseball sale.

It's valued at $20,000-30,000.

'Big Ed' still holds the fifth highest batting average in Major League Baseball 

Delahanty (1867-1903) was a pioneering power hitter who still holds the fifth highest batting average in baseball, well over 100 years after his death.

He achieved a career average of .346 (that’s higher than Babe Ruth).

The piece was presented to Delahanty by the Mansfield Rooters.

This was the official fan club of the Mansfield Base Ball Club where Delahanty played for a season in 1887.

It’s engraved: “Presented to Edward J. Delahanty by the Mansfield Rooters 1887”.

The following year Delahanty was sold to the Philadelphia Quakers.

He died in spectacular fashion after being kicked off a train in upstate New York for drunkenly brandishing a razor at fellow passengers.

He ended up losing his footing after a tussle with a guard on the International Falls Bridge, which spans the Niagara River. His body was found at the base of the Falls some days later.

Other intriguing lots include an 1866 Morrisania Unions vs. Philadelphia Athletics trophy baseball.

It records Morrisania (the archaic name for the South Bronx district of New York) as the winners of this particular game, with a final score of 42 to 29.

The ball is valued at $15,000-20,000 ahead of the sale’s August 24 close date.

Want to check out our exciting range of sports memorabilia? Click here.

Please sign up to our free newsletter to receive exciting news about sports memorabilia auctions.

Register to receive more in-depth articles from our dedicated team.

Register Here

Featured products

Elvis Presley Authentic Strand of Hair
Elvis Presley Authentic Strand of Hair
Sale price£399
In stock
Fidel Castro signed certificateFidel Castro Signed Certificate
Fidel Castro signed certificate
Sale price£2,995
In stock
King Henry VIII Autographed DocumentKing Henry VIII Autographed Document
King Henry VIII Autographed Document
Sale price£55,000
In stock