Ozzie Smith Auction: Gold Gloves Sell For $519,203

Laguna Niguel, CA – Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith has turned his Gold Gloves into $519,203.

The Hall of Fame shortstop sold his 13 consecutive Gold Glove Awards from 1980-1992 for $519,203, according to SCP Auctions and The Washington Post. Ozzie’s 2011 St. Louis Cardinals’ World Series ring sold for an additional $51,364, and his 2006 ring sold at auction for $42,448.

Both rings were gifts from the team, and the prices at auction include a 20 percent commission, known as a buyer’s premium.

Ozzie announced his intention to sell his Gold Gloves and Series rings in late October, but his sports paraphernalia weren’t the only unique items on the auction block.

Two pairs of boxing gloves used by Muhammad Ali during fights sold for $385,848 each. The gloves were used against Sonny Liston on February 25, 1964, and one pair was used in his first fight against Joe Frazier on March 8, 1971.

A Babe Ruth team sweater from 1922 sold for $250,642, and Oscar Robertson’s NBA MVP Award from 1963-1964 sold for $177,632. A Robertson US Olympic team jersey from 1960 sold for $121,324.

Paul Hornung’s 1956 Heisman Trophy sold for $173,102. A Lou Gehrig bat, used for games during the late 1930s sold for $75,205. A 1966 Green Bay Super Bowl ring given to Steve Wright sold for the same price.

The winning bidders desired to remain anonymous.

Smith said that he wanted to sell his Gold Gloves and other historic pieces “as part of his estate and family planning.”

In a statement issued in October, Smith explained his decision to auction these items:

“I am honored to share a portion of the memorabilia from my professional baseball career with fans and collectors. My family and I have decided together which of my pieces to keep and which to share. I will forever cherish every experience associated with earning these awards that I shared with the Cardinal Nation and the baseball community. I hope those who are passionate about collecting and preserving such items will gain a similar measure of joy through their ownership.”

Are you surprised that Ozzie Smith would choose to sell his 13 Gold Gloves, or are the title and record all he needs?