logo
ISA Grading Advertisement

Ty Cobb Signed Bat Sells for $1.6 Million at Auction

* We may earn a commission from purchases made through our affiliate links.

Ty-Cobb-game-bat-1914.jpeg

A baseball bat signed by Ty Cobb that was presented to a Pacific Coast League executive in 1914 has sold for $1.6 million at auction. The winning bid was made by an anonymous buyer through Goldin Auctions.

The bat was given to PCL executive Mike Gillespie by Cobb himself as a gift recognizing Gillespie's years of service to the league. Gillespie held on to the bat for over 50 years before passing it down to his son, who eventually put it up for auction.

This is believed to be the highest price ever paid for a bat at auction. The previous record was $956,000, also set by Goldin Auctions, for a Honus Wagner bat from 1909.

Ty Cobb is widely considered one of the greatest players in baseball history. He played 22 seasons in the majors, amassing a .366 batting average, 4189 hits, and 117 home runs. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.

Cobb was also well-known for his temperamental nature both on and off the field. In 1912, he got into a fight with a fan in the stands who had been heckling him and ended up punching the man in the face. As a result of the incident, Cobb was suspended for 10 games and fined $50.

Despite his reputation, there are many stories of Cobb being generous to those he came across throughout his life. In addition to the bat he gave to Mike Gillespie, Cobb is also said to have given bats away to umpires and young fans on occasion.

No matter what your opinion is of Ty Cobb as a person, there's no denying that he was one of the greatest players in baseball history. His legacy will live on forever thanks to moments like this one, when his generosity helped fetch a record-breaking price at auction.

Share:

PWCC Auction Advertisement

0 Comments

Related

Sports Card News

Two Men Admit to Stealing Over $2 Million in Baseball Cards from Ohio Hotel


  • bionic Avatar
  • by bionic
  • October 4, 2024, 12:57 pm

Two Men Admit to Stealing Over $2 Million in Baseball Cards from Ohio Hotel


Two men have pleaded guilty in connection with the theft of vintage baseball cards valued at over $2 million from a hotel in Strongsville, Ohio. Defendants: Jacob Paxton, 27: An employee at the Best Western hotel where the theft occurred. He pleaded ...

Read More

Upper Deck Sues Former Employee Over Alleged Theft of Valuable Trading Cards


  • bionic Avatar
  • by bionic
  • October 3, 2024, 12:40 pm

Upper Deck Sues Former Employee Over Alleged Theft of Valuable Trading Cards


Upper Deck, a renowned name in the sports and entertainment collectibles industry, has filed a civil lawsuit against a former employee, alleging the theft of hundreds of trading cards valued at over $500,000. The lawsuit was submitted on September 19 in...

Read More

Panini Unveils Halloween-Themed NFL and NBA Trading Card Collections Perfect for Trick-or-Treaters


  • bionic Avatar
  • by bionic
  • October 4, 2024, 12:30 pm

Panini Unveils Halloween-Themed NFL and NBA Trading Card Collections Perfect for Trick-or-Treaters


Just in time for Halloween, Panini has launched two exclusive trading card collections: 2024 Score-A-Treat NFL and 2023-24 Haunted Hoops Basketball. These festive sets offer a unique blend of sports excitement and Halloween fun, making them ideal goodie...

Read More