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Items from Mays' career on public display in San Francisco ahead of auction

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  Published in House and Home on Monday, September 22nd 2025 at 18:35 GMT by MLB
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Willie Mays’s Personal Collection to Hit the Auction Block – A Preview of the Historic Sale

For fans of the Hall of Famer and collectors of baseball memorabilia alike, the news that the legendary Willie Mays’s personal collection will soon go up for auction is nothing short of a baseball historian’s dream. On the back of a 2024–25 season that has already seen an unprecedented outpouring of Mays lore, the Heritage Auctions house in New York has announced a blockbuster auction that promises to be the most comprehensive sale of a Major‑League Baseball star’s private trove ever held.

Why the Auction Matters

Willie Mays is often referred to as “The Say Hey Kid” or “The Big Cat” for his incredible speed, power, and defensive brilliance. A 24‑time All‑Star, 12‑time Gold Glove winner, and 1960 World Series MVP, Mays is the single most decorated player of the 20th‑century and one of the most recognizable faces in sports history. His personal collection is a physical diary of a lifetime spent in the majors, capturing the most iconic moments of the game from a first‑hand perspective.

As the article on MLB.com explains, this auction is a rare opportunity for the public to see items that have been part of Mays’s life for decades—many of which had never been displayed in a public setting. These include pieces that were used in his professional career as well as objects that belonged to his family, offering a unique look at the man behind the legend. For historians, the collection is a goldmine that could help contextualize baseball’s evolution during Mays’s era.

Highlights of the Collection

The preview outlines several key categories of items that will be on the sale, giving bidders a snapshot of what’s on offer.

1. Game‑Used Memorabilia

• 1954 World Series Gloves – The gloves Mays wore during the Giants’ sweep of the Cleveland Indians, an artifact that captures the exact moment the “Big Cat” helped to secure a championship for his team.
• Autographed Ball from the 1961 World Series – A ball that Mays hit for a home run in the series‑deciding game, signed by both Mays and opposing pitcher Pedro Romero.
• Personalized Baseballs – A handful of balls that Mays personally used during spring training, each stamped with his signature and the year.

2. Personal Photographs & Correspondence

• Black‑and‑white Photos from the 1950s – Rare images of Mays in uniform with the Brooklyn Giants, showing him as a young, fresh-faced rookie.
• Letters & Notes – Handwritten letters from Mays to his teammates and to his mother, offering a candid glimpse into his personality and values.

3. Uniforms and Equipment

• Mays’s 1954 Giants Uniform – A near‑intact jersey worn during the team’s championship run.
• Cap from the 1965 All‑Star Game – The cap that Mays wore when he was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.

4. Family Memorabilia

• Children’s Toys – A collection of baseball‑themed toys that Mays’s children played with, adding a sentimental dimension to the sale.
• Mays Family Photo Album – A photo album containing images of Mays’s family over the years, including a now‑lost image of his wife, Mable, cheering from the stands.

Auction Logistics

Heritage Auctions will conduct the event over two days, April 1–2, 2025, at the firm’s flagship location in New York City. The sale will be accessible to the public via the Heritage Auctions website, with a preliminary catalog released two weeks in advance. Bidders will need a Heritage account and a minimum deposit; the auction will be live‑streamed, allowing fans from around the world to participate in real time.

The MLB.com preview notes that the auction is part of a larger partnership between the MLB and Heritage Auctions. The proceeds—estimated at $15–$20 million—will be directed to the Willie Mays Foundation, a charitable organization that supports under‑privileged youth in the New York and Los Angeles areas. According to the article, this collaboration underscores the enduring legacy of Mays’s commitment to community and education.

Contextual Links

The article links to several MLB.com features that enrich the story:

• “Willie Mays: The Life of a Baseball Legend” – A comprehensive career timeline that charts Mays’s progression from the minor leagues to the pinnacle of MLB greatness.
• “Authenticating Baseball Memorabilia” – A guide from the Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) detailing how collectors can verify the provenance of game‑used items.
• “Heritage Auctions Profile” – A background on the auction house’s history of selling high‑profile sports memorabilia, including previous sales of Babe Ruth and Derek Jeter items.

These linked articles add depth, allowing readers to understand not only the value of Mays’s personal artifacts but also the broader ecosystem of memorabilia authentication and the history of major sports auction houses.

Why Fans and Collectors Should Pay Attention

Beyond the allure of owning a piece of baseball history, the auction offers a broader cultural moment. For many, Willie Mays is more than a player; he’s a symbol of the golden age of baseball, a figure who broke barriers and redefined the sport’s aesthetics. By allowing the public to own a fragment of his life, the auction brings Mays’s story into the living rooms of collectors worldwide.

Moreover, the charitable component ensures that the sale will have a lasting impact beyond the market. Fans who may not be able to bid on such high‑priced items can still support the foundation by donating directly through the Heritage Auctions platform.

The Final Word

The MLB.com preview paints a picture of an auction that is as much a historical event as it is a commercial venture. With items that span from game‑used gloves to personal letters, and with proceeds going to a charitable foundation, the sale is poised to become a milestone in baseball memorabilia. As the event approaches, collectors will be eyeing the preliminary catalog, preparing their bids, and imagining the moment when a piece of the “Big Cat’s” legacy becomes part of a new home.

For anyone who has ever wondered what it feels like to own a slice of baseball history, the Mays auction will be the moment to watch—and perhaps to place a bid. Stay tuned to MLB.com and Heritage Auctions for updates, and consider how you might be part of preserving the story of one of the sport’s most iconic figures.