NEW YORK (AP) - The plaque that Ted Williams won as the American League MVP in 1949 will soon be up for sale.
Several items belonging to the late Hall of Famer are set for auction next spring. Among them are his 1946 AL championship ring, a bat he used in an All-Star game and a baseball that Babe Ruth signed to Williams.
Hunt Auctions will host the sale in the Boston area, with the date still to be determined. Part of the proceeds will be donated to The Jimmy Fund, the official charity of the Red Sox.
“The time has come in my life to let go of some of my father’s awards and personal memorabilia,” Williams’ daughter, Claudia, said in a statement released by the auction house. “I have struggled with this decision for the past 10 years, but the reality is, these items have remained locked away in a storage unit.
“So many people have asked to view these items or obtain them for their own personal collection,” she said. “Everyone will have a better opportunity to enjoy the pieces that chronicle the life of my dad from his baseball career to his fishing exploits to his military service.”
Williams was a two-time MVP, twice won the Triple Crown and hit .406 in 1941. He spent his entire career with the Red Sox, played in 18 All-Star games, retired after the 1960 season and died in 2002.
“There are few names within the history of the game that evoke such excitement and reverence as that of Ted Williams,” said David Hunt, president of Hunt Auctions.
Among the other Williams items up for sale are a Hall of Fame induction ring and a silver bat award for leading the league in hitting. The auction will take place during the 100th anniversary season of Fenway Park.
The collection of items will be on public display Sept. 30 in San Diego, where Williams was born and raised.
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