October Legends Closing October 29
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2016
Offered are three bases game used in Tampa Bay during Rays games in 2008, 2009, and 2010.
First, the bag that served as third base from the fourth through sixth innings of the Rays 13-4 victory over the New York Yankees on October 2nd, 2009. This is the bag that Melvin (B.J.) Upton touched rounding the bases after his fourth inning home run, en route to a 5-5 night during which he hit for the cycle. This bag features “Rays” and “MLB I Live For This” inlaid plastic logos alternating on each of the four sides.
Second, the bag used as third base during the first three innings of the ALCS Game 2 on October 11th, 2008. The Rays defeated the Boston Red Sox 9-8 in eleven innings to tie the series at one game apiece, on their way to the franchise’s first World Series appearance that year. B.J. Upton and Evan Longoria each hit post-season home runs in the game, with Longoria going deep in the first inning and Upton adding his own round-tripper in the third. Both have signed the top of the bag in thick black marker to commemorate the game. Longoria has included his number three and inscribed “HR Game 2” beneath his signature, while BJ has signed his full name, “Melvin Emmanuel Upton,” with the inscription “HR Game 2 vs. Josh Beckett.” The inlaid plastic logos on the sides of the bag alternate between the “Rays” and “2008 ALCS” logos.
The third game used base in this lot served as third base in innings one through three on June 25, 2010, with Tampa hosting the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first game with B.J. Upton playing against his brother, Justin. The brothers have each signed the top of the bag in black marker. All four sides of this bag feature identical “TB Rays” inlaid plastic logos.
Each of the three bags included in this lot are Schutt Original Hollywood Jack Corbett bases, each showing light to heavy game use, with deep, dark dirt stains and cleat markings. The 2009 bag is tagged with MLB Authentication Hologram #LH367445 for game use. The 2010 bag is also MLB Authenticated (LH961393) for game use as well as both signatures. The 2008 post-season bag features MLB Authentication (LH179003) for game use and Upton’s signature, while the Longoria signature comes with a COA from PSA/DNA (AB73611).