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Shohei Ohtani milestone, Shoeless Joe Jackson gem lead Lelands summer auction
Shohei Ohtani milestone, Shoeless Joe Jackson gem lead Lelands summer auction originally appeared on The Sporting News
Lelands has unveiled its 2025 Summer Classic Auction, headlined by Los Angeles Dodgers slugger and pitcher Shohei Ohtani's 300th career home run ball and an exceptionally rare 1914 Shoeless Joe Jackson signed baseball.
The auction runs through August 16 and features more than 1,800 lots spanning modern and vintage cards, sports memorabilia, game-used equipment, autographs, and non-sports treasures.
Baseball legends take center stage
Ohtani's milestone ball combines his 48 home runs from Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball with his 252 in Major League Baseball, making him one of the sport's most prolific sluggers. The photo-matched ball, hit June 24 against the Rockies, was caught by a fan who later consigned it to Lelands.
The Shoeless Joe Jackson baseball, signed during his time with the 1914 Cleveland Naps, is among the scarcest in existence due to Jackson's illiteracy and the rarity of his autograph on a baseball. Its desirability has grown even more since MLB reinstated Jackson, making him eligible for Hall of Fame consideration after decades in exile following the 1919 'Black Sox' scandal.
MORE: Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani called out by his manager Dave Roberts
Other baseball highlights include a 1911 Philadelphia Athletics World Series press pin, a 1939 Baseball Hall of Fame induction program signed by all 11 living inductees, Jackie Jensen's 1958 AL MVP Award, a 1972 Roberto Clemente 3,000th hit ticket stub and program, and numerous signed, photo-matched game-used bats and jerseys from legends such as Mickey Mantle, Derek Jeter, and Tony Gwynn.
Beyond the diamond
Basketball collectors will find a hobby fresh 1997 SPx Michael Jordan Die-Cut Auto graded PSA 8 with a 10 autograph, one of only three at that level. Hockey treasures include a 1994 Rangers Stanley Cup Championship pendant and Vic Hadfield's 1972 Summit Series game-worn jersey.
Horse racing history is represented by Angel Cordero Jr.'s 1985 Kentucky Derby trophy for 'Spend a Buck' and his signed 'Magic Saddle' used in eight Triple Crown-winning races.
The auction also features boxing memorabilia such as George Foreman's 1970s passport, Larry Holmes' 1984 IBF Championship belt, and Muhammad Ali training trunks with photo provenance.
Music and pop culture collectors can bid on a Black Sabbath signed display with Ozzy Osbourne, a Woodstock 1969 metal sign, Bob Dylan handwritten lyrics, and a Bill Gates 1980 Microsoft business card. Historical artifacts include a circa 1945 Nagasaki atomic bombing aftermath photograph and a Susan B. Anthony autograph inscribed 'Equal Rights for All.'
About Lelands
Founded in 1985, Lelands is the world's first sports memorabilia and card auction house, renowned for authenticating and appraising high-value collectibles. The company has set numerous world records, including sales of Babe Ruth's 1927 Yankees World Series ring ($2.09 million), his 1919 signed contract ($2.3 million), and a 1920 Yankees jersey ($4.5 million). Lelands President and Managing Director Steve Verkman continues the tradition of excellence, backed by over four decades in the industry.
For more information or to place bids, visit
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