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Muhammad Ali NEWS – Lou Gehrig & DR. J Shocker

Auction concludes Saturday at SCPAuctions.com;
Bidding on Gehrig Bat at $142,659; Dr. J ring is at $104,441; Trunks up to $98,525

The bidding for Lou Gehrig’s 1938-39 bat used to hit his last home run in a Yankees uniform, Hall of Famer Julius “Dr. J” Erving’s 1983 World Championship ring and Muhammad Ali’s fight-worn trunks from Ali vs. Frazier – “The Fight of the Century” — is expected to heat up during the next two days, as collectors scramble to secure these coveted pieces of sports history before SCP Auctions’ November auction comes to a close Saturday, Nov. 19.

The item drawing the highest bid, the Lou Gehrig bat, has been described by SCP officials as the single finest piece of Gehrig memorabilia they’ve handled in the company’s 32-year history. In an exhibition game prior to the start of the 1939 season, Gehrig, in rapid decline from the insidious disease that now bears his name, utilized this very bat when he valiantly mustered the strength and form to hit his last two home runs in a New York Yankees uniform. The bat originates from the estate of well-known actor Bing Russell. Russell, father of actor Kurt Russell, received the bat directly from Gehrig immediately after Gehrig’s last big-league clout. The current bid is $142,659 and that figure is expected to rise dramatically in the auction’s final hours.

Additionally, Hall of Famer Julius “Dr. J” Erving’s 1983 World Championship ring is currently at $104,441 and Muhammad Ali’s fight-worn trunks from Ali vs. Frazier is at $98,525 and the bidding for those items, too, is anticipated to reach fever pitch as the auction comes to a close.

Bids (as of Nov. 17) on other prominent items in the auction include:

• Dr. J’s 1980-81 NBA Most Valuable Player Trophy – current high bid $69,053
• Dr. J’s 1976 New York Nets ABA World Championship Ring- current high bid $62,775
• Dr. J’s 1974 New York ABA World Championship Ring – current high bid $57,068
• 1887 Mike “King” Kelly Banquet Program – current high bid $57,068
• James Worthy’s Personal Player’s Edition Copy of 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players Autographed Lithograph – current high bid $50,556
• Mickey Cochrane’s 1934 American League MVP Trophy – current high bid $40,264
• Ted Williams’ Boston Red Sox Game-Worn Road Jersey – current high bid $36,603
• Willie Mays’ Autographed 1970 San Francisco Game-Worn Jersey – current high bid $32,211

Collectors can bid through Saturday (Nov. 17) by logging on to www.scpauctions.com or calling (800) 350-2273. The initial-bidding period ends at 7 p.m. PST, with the auction ending after 15 minutes has elapsed without a bid on the entire auction.

Each of the more than 750 items is featured in the SCP Auctions’ website at www.SCPAuctions.com or click photo to follow link.

About SCP Auctions
SCP Auctions, Inc. has been a leader in brokering and auctions of important sports memorabilia and cards since 1979. The Southern California based firm conducts online auctions 3 times a year. SCP Auctions has handled some of the most significant individual items and prominent collections in their field, such as the record-setting sale of Babe Ruth’s bat used to hit the first home run in Yankee Stadium ($1.265 million), the original 1919 Contract of Sale of Babe Ruth from the Red Sox to the Yankees ($996,000), and the estate collections of Hall of Famers such as Honus Wagner, Tony Lazzeri, Bob Cousy, Wilt Chamberlain, Casey Stengel, Pee Wee Reese, and Ernie Banks. Interested bidders can call (800) 350-2273 or visit SCP Auctions online at www.SCPAuctions.com for more information on how to participate.

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