Little Rock native Brooks Robinson has decided to put more than 200 items from his Hall of Fame baseball career with the Baltimore Orioles up for auction.
The inventory includes his World Series rings from 1966 and 1970, each of Robinson's 16 Gold Gloves and the jewel of the collection, his 1964 American League MVP Trophy.
Chris Ivy, director of sports collectibles for Heritage Auctions, told The Associated Press that 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.
"I expect it to go north of $1 million," he said.
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 told The Associated Press.
His decision to auction off his memorabilia has nothing to do with filling his pockets.
"I'm fine," Robinson said. "I don't need the money."
Robinson, 78, said "every cent" will go to the Constance and Brooks Robinson Foundation for distribution to worthy causes.
"My children, they have everything they ever wanted from my collection," Robinson said. "We've been very blessed, my whole family, all the years we've been in Baltimore. So it's time to give back."
Robinson, who retired in 1977 after a 23-year career, said he and his wife have been discussing for seven to eight years about what they would do with his memorabilia.
"I enjoyed looking at them," he said. "After it was all gone I think I had a little seller's remorse, but it is what it is. I'm looking forward to the auction."
Ivy, who helped the Stan Musial family sell his collection in 2013, understands completely how Robinson must feel.
"That's natural," Ivy said. "These are items that are collected through a lifetime of accomplishment, but he's selling for all the right reasons."
The online auction for the Brooks Robinson Collection starts Tuesday and runs through Nov. 6. The website for Heritage Auctions is HA.com.
He wants in
Rapper Rick Ross was pleased to see the Miami Dolphins fire coach Joe Philbin on Monday, but the Dolphins fan wants more -- as in a piece of the franchise.
"We did the best move. We got rid of Philbin," Ross told TMZ.com. "Maybe we could get me some negotiations started. I still want 5 percent of the Dolphins. Why not? Give back to the community."
Ross has attempted to purchase 5 percent of the Dolphins for the past year. The Dolphins are owned by Stephen M. Ross, who owns 95 percent of the team.
He said it
From Brad Dickson of the Omaha World-Herald:
• "One postseason projection has Nebraska playing Duke in the Pinstripe Bowl. Playing Duke in the postseason is quite a compliment -- if you're a basketball team."
• "Cleveland Indians infielder Chris Johnson recently missed action due to a spider bite. Major League Baseball has weirder injuries than the Darwin Awards."
• "Marshawn Lynch filmed an entire Pepsi commercial without speaking. If everybody in TV commercials never spoke, I'd watch more of 'em."
SPORTS QUIZ
How many numbers have the Baltimore Orioles retired?
ANSWER
Six: Earl Weaver (No. 4), Brooks Robinson (No. 5), Cal Ripken Jr. (No. 8), Frank Robinson (No. 20), Jim Palmer (No. 22) and Eddie Murray (No. 33).
Sports on 10/07/2015