Munson Memorabilia To Be Auctioned
Via the AP -
Thurman Munson’s World Series rings, MVP trophy and the uniform that the former New York Yankees catcher wore for his final home game before he died in a 1979 plane crash will be auctioned off in connection with this summer’s All-Star game at Yankee Stadium.
“There could not be a more appropriate place to offer the collection to the public then New York City on the occasion of the final All-Star game to be played at Yankee Stadium,” Munson’s wife, Diana, said. “Thurman so loved that stadium and the fans who shared his many years with the team.”
The Munson collection consists of more than 140 items, including a custom-made Mercedes-Benz convertible and a replica World Series trophy made for him after the Yankees’ 1978 title.
“My three children and I have held on to some items of great personal meaning to us but the time has come to share the collection with the public who so adored Thurman as a player with the Yankees,” Diana Munson said. “Along with thousands of Yankees fans, we have so many fond memories of Thurman and the memorabilia items help to tell the story of his life.”
I realize that things like World Series rings, Gold Glove Awards, Rookie of the Year Awards, and MVP Awards are just material things – and, in the big picture, material things should not be that important. Still, there’s a part of my heart that is breaking hearing this news – that Thurman’s kids (and grandchildren) won’t have these items to keep in their family. Don’t get me wrong…I understand that the money that this auction will bring will probably better serve the Munson family than some metal and wood trophy or piece of jewelry – and that would be what Thurman wanted…what’s best for his family. It’s just a shame that there’s not a way to work this out so that it can be win-win…say, like the Yankees “renting” these items from the family (to display them at the new Stadium) where they could be returned to the family, someday, when it was right for all parties concerned.
It’s just a shame that there’s not a way to work this out so that it can be win-win…say, like the Yankees “renting” these items from the family (to display them at the new Stadium) where they could be returned to the family, someday, when it was right for all parties concerned.
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They may have tried that, who knows?
I wonder if the new stadium will have Munson’s locker there as well?
I’ve read that his locker will be in the new Yankees Museum down the right field concourse.
[...] Sandomir has an excellent feature in the Times today on the Thurman Munson memorabilia auction to be held next [...]