Going Once ...
If someone you love is a big Tony Allen fan, hates Chris Paul, has a foot fetish, or some combination of the three, well, they would have been pretty easy to shop for this holiday season. The Grizzlies' guard auctioned off the left Adidas shoe (above) he was wearing when he accidentally kicked Paul in the head during a November game, an incident that earned him a one-game suspension. The bidding, which escalated well beyond $5,000 (proceeds went to charity), was scheduled to end on Dec. 22. But fear not, plenty of other good stuff has been put up for bids recently—and there are barely 360 shopping days till next Christmas.
+ ITEM Babe Ruth/Little Johnny Sylvester ball.
In 1926, Ruth autographed a ball for an 11-year-old kid who was hospitalized after a horse went all Tony Allen and kicked him in the head. Ruth inscribed "I'll knock a homer for you," then proceeded to hit three in Game 4 of the World Series. Johnny also scored a tennis racket from Bill Tilden and a football from Red Grange, which will also be sold. (greyflannelauctions .com)
+ PERFECT GIFT FOR
Someone who once pulled you from a burning car. A reserve hasn't been set yet, but it'll be pricey: Last year a Ruth ball sold for $388,000.
+ ITEM Christian Laettner's UK game jersey.
The Dookie hit arguably the biggest shot in NCAA history in 1992. Bidding starts at 100 grand. (lelands.com)
+ PERFECT GIFT FOR
Laettner, who gave the jersey to a friend, who's now selling it anonymously.
+ ITEM Livan Hernandez collection.
The former Marlin is off-loading baubles, including the ball used for the first pitch of the 1997 World Series (bidding starts at $500) and his MVP trophy from that Fall Classic win over Cleveland ($5,000). (lelands.com)
+ PERFECT GIFT FOR
That Indians fan you're just dying to push over the edge.
+ ITEM 1980 Olympic hockey silver medal.
Awarded to the Soviet Union, which famously lost to the U.S.A. in the Miracle on Ice. (lelands.com)
+ PERFECT GIFT FOR
Losers. Communists.
SIGN OF THE APOCALYPSE
Notre Dame has been sending football recruits so-called Pots of Gold that contain 477 pieces of mail (one for each Irish player who made the NFL).
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION
PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS BY SI PREMEDIA; IMAGE SOURCE/GETTY IMAGES (BOW); MARCI LAMBERT PHOTOGRAPHY/YOUTH VILLAGES (SHOE)
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