Brooks Robinson puts World Series rings, MVP trophy up for auction

FILE - In this Dec. 4, 1970, file photo, from left, Cincinnati's Johnny Bench, Baltimore's Brooks Robinson and St. Louis Cardinals' Bob Gibson pose with awards at Baseball's 1970 Awards Dinner in Los Angeles.
FILE - In this Dec. 4, 1970, file photo, from left, Cincinnati's Johnny Bench, Baltimore's Brooks Robinson and St. Louis Cardinals' Bob Gibson pose with awards at Baseball's 1970 Awards Dinner in Los Angeles.

BALTIMORE — Little Rock native Brooks Robinson spent decades surrounded by the trophies and souvenirs he gathered during his Hall of Fame career with the Baltimore Orioles.

The shelves in his study are now bare, the result of Robinson's decision to auction off more than 200 cherished items to raise money for charity.

The inventory includes his World Series rings from 1966 and 1970, each of Robinson's 16 Gold Gloves and his 1964 MVP Trophy.

Chris Ivy, director of sports collectibles for Heritage Auctions, figures the MVP Award will receive a bid of at least $100,000. He anticipates each of the World Series rings to bring bids of approximately $80,000.

Heritage has projected the entire lot to bring in around $850,000, a total Ivy said is conservative.

The items include game-worn home and away uniforms, the Hickok Belt that Robinson received as the top athlete of 1970, bats he used in several All-Star games and the Hall of Fame induction pin he received in 1983.

"The Hall of Fame ring is all I have left," Robinson said.

Robinson, 78, says "every cent" will go to the Constance and Brooks Robinson Foundation for distribution to worthy causes.

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