Lou Gehrig Jersey Brings Big $ in Louisville

The story alone is worth a fortune.

A Lou Gehrig game-worn jersey from the 1938 season, once sold by the Yankees for $9, survived long enough to be consigned to The Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory Auction, held this weekend at the plant. A number of serious collectors chased the jersey before it was finally sold for $350,000 in live bidding. The anonymous buyer will actually pay $402,500 once Hunt Auctions tacks on its buyer's premium.

The annual event also saw big prices for some other vintage game-used memorabilia. A 1955 Warren Spahn Milwaukee Braves jersey brought $46,000 while a game-worn Lefty Grove Philadelphia Athletics cap might be the most expensive headgear in baseball history when the buyer writes a check for $29,900.

Several items from the family of Bill McKechnie were sold including a 1928-29 home jersey which sold for $17,250.

A rare Jesse Burkett autographed Albertype Hall of Fame postcard got signature collectors excited--and competive. It was finally nailed down for a price of $37,950.

Other highlights from the Slugger Auction:

• Ball used in 1933 All Star game $20,700
• Ray Schalk's Hall of Fame induction ring $17,250
• Mickey Mantle game-used professional model bat circa 1964 $17,250
• Christy Mathewson signed letter dating from 1925 $16,100