Most Valuable Baseball Autographs

Collecting autographed baseballs is a cherished hobby for many sports enthusiasts and baseball memorabilia collectors. Some signed baseballs are highly valuable due to the significance of the players, historical moments, and rarity. Here’s a list of the top 15 most valuable autographed baseballs that have captivated collectors and fetched impressive prices at auctions.

1. Mark McGwire’s historic 70thHome Run Ball ($3 Million)

• Estimated Value: $3 million
• Description: Mark McGwire's 70th home run ball, hit during the 1998 season when he broke Roger Maris's single-season home run record, was sold for an astonishing $3 million. This sale marked one of the highest prices ever paid for a piece of sports memorabilia. The buyer, comic book artist Todd McFarlane, made headlines with this record-breaking purchase, highlighting the intense demand and value placed on historic sports artifacts. However, the ball's value has since declined, influenced by subsequent events such as Barry Bonds breaking McGwire's record and the publicized use of performance-enhancing drugs by McGwire.
• Interesting Fact: The value of McGwire's ball has significantly declined over the years, largely because Bonds surpassed his record and due to the revelation of steroid use.
• You can read more interesting facts and also participate in the discussion -  here.

2. Babe Ruth’s Signed 1933 All-Star Game Home Run Ball ($805,000)

• Estimated Value: $752,467.20
• Description: A memorabilia auction at the Major League Baseball FanFest, held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Downtown, featured a standout item that sold for $805,000.
  "We're thrilled," said Chris Brown, 37, from San Diego. His late grandfather, Earl, had caught the home run ball hit by Babe Ruth during the inaugural All-Star Game in 1933 at Comiskey Park, Chicago—the first-ever All-Star home run.
  The ball was purchased by an anonymous bidder, making it one of the most expensive baseballs ever auctioned.
  Bill Brown, 69, recounted how his father's cherished keepsake was described in the auction catalog as an "incredible rarity."
  Earl Brown had caught the ball while on a date with his future wife, Mae Swoverland. For 73 years, the family kept it safely stored in various places.
  "Dad had countless memories tied to this ball," Chris Brown said. "We were just parting with a ball in a closet, not the memories."
  Initially, Bill Brown felt a twinge of regret, which quickly turned to joy as the bids soared past the $100,000 pre-auction estimates. He was overcome with emotion, covering his face with his hands and weeping quietly. Chris Brown recorded the moment with his camcorder.
  The final bid reached $700,000, with a 15 percent buyer's premium bringing the total to $805,000.
• Interesting Fact: This is the most expensive Babe Ruth signed baseball.

3. Barry Bonds Record-Breaking 756 Home Run Ball ($752,467.20)

• Estimated Value: $752,467.20
• Description: Barry Bonds' historic 756th home run ball, which surpassed Hank Aaron's long-standing record, fetched $752,467.20 in an online auction hosted by scpauctions.com on Saturday. The buyer was revealed to be Marc Ecko, a well-known fashion designer based in New York.
  The ball from Bonds' 755th home run, which tied Aaron's record, was also sold, bringing in $186,750. The purchaser of this ball has chosen to remain anonymous.
  Bonds hit his record-breaking 756th home run on August 7 at AT&T Park in San Francisco against Washington Nationals pitcher Mike Bacsik. His 755th home run occurred on August 4 at Petco Park in San Diego, off Padres pitcher Clay Hensley.

4. Hank Aaron‘s 755th Home Run Ball ($650,000)

• Estimated Value: $650,000
• Description: Hank Aaron's 755th home run ball is a significant piece of baseball history. It represents the final home run of Aaron's career, which solidified his place as one of the greatest home run hitters of all time. Hank Aaron surpassed Babe Ruth's long-standing record of 714 home runs and continued to add to his total until he retired with 755 home runs.
  The sale of Aaron's 755th home run ball for $650,000 underscores the immense historical and sentimental value attached to such sports memorabilia. This particular ball is not just a piece of baseball history but also a symbol of Aaron's perseverance and excellence in the sport.

5. 1939 Hall Of Fame Autographed Baseball ($623,369)

• Estimated Value: $623,369
• Description: The ball features signatures from some of the most legendary figures in baseball history, including the first class of inductees: Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson, and Walter Johnson. Additionally, it bears the autographs of other early Hall of Fame members, making it a unique collection of some of the game's greatest players.
• Interesting Fact: The 1939 induction ceremony was a landmark event, celebrating the centennial of baseball's creation, as mythically attributed to Abner Doubleday in 1839.

6. Shoeless Joe Jackson Signed Baseball ($519,600)

• Estimated Value: $519,600
• Description: Shoeless Joe Jackson is a legendary figure, partly due to his association with the 1919 Black Sox Scandal. Authentic autographs from Jackson are exceedingly rare, as he was illiterate and often had others sign for him. A genuine Jackson-signed baseball is a prized possession for any collector.
• Interesting Fact: Despite his illiteracy, Jackson's natural talent and batting skills earned him the third-highest career batting average in MLB history at .356.

7. Babe Ruth Single-Signed Baseball

• Estimated Value: $388,375
• Description: Sold on Thursday during Heritage Auctions’ Platinum Night sale in Baltimore.
  Babe Ruth, known as the Sultan of Swat, is one of the most legendary figures in baseball history. A single-signed baseball by Ruth is highly coveted due to his immense impact on the sport and his iconic status. The pristine condition and clear signature of this baseball contribute to its high value.
• Interesting Fact: Ruth was one of the first five players inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.

8. Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig Dual-Signed Baseball

• Estimated Value: $343,650
• Description: Signed by both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, this baseball represents the two most legendary players of the New York Yankees. The dual signature from these Hall of Famers makes this baseball exceptionally rare and highly valuable.
• Interesting Fact: Ruth and Gehrig were known for their on-field chemistry but had a falling out in the late 1930s, making items signed by both even more special.

9. Joe DiMaggio & Marilyn Monroe Signed Baseball

• Estimated Value: $191,200
• Description: This unique baseball features the signatures of both Joe DiMaggio, a Yankee legend, and his then-wife, Marilyn Monroe, a Hollywood icon. The combination of these two famous signatures on a single baseball makes it a rare and valuable piece of memorabilia.
• Interesting Fact: DiMaggio and Monroe were married for only nine months, but their relationship remains one of the most famous celebrity marriages of all time.

10. Honus Wagner Signed Baseball

• Estimated Value: $112,925
• Description: Honus Wagner, a Hall of Famer and one of the greatest shortstops in baseball history, has a highly sought-after signature. His T206 baseball card is famously valuable, and his autographed baseballs are also prized due to their rarity and historical significance.
• Interesting Fact: Wagner was one of the first five players inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, receiving more votes than even Babe Ruth.

11. Ty Cobb Signed Baseball

• Estimated Value: $93,666
• Description: Ty Cobb, known for his fierce competitiveness and exceptional batting skills, is one of the greatest players in baseball history. His autographed baseballs are valuable, especially those in excellent condition with a clear signature.
• Interesting Fact: Cobb's aggressive playing style and competitive nature led to him setting 90 MLB records during his career, many of which still stand today.

12. Cy Young Signed Baseball

• Estimated Value: $69,000
• Description: Cy Young, whose name is synonymous with pitching excellence, is another legendary figure in baseball. The Cy Young Award is given annually to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball, further enhancing the value of his signed baseballs.
• Interesting Fact: Cy Young's record of 511 career wins is considered unbreakable, cementing his legacy in baseball history.

13. Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris Signed Baseball

• Estimated Value: $59,750
• Description: Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris were two of the most prominent figures in baseball during the 1960s. This baseball, signed by both players, is particularly valuable due to their historic home run race in 1961, when Maris broke Babe Ruth’s single-season home run record.
• Interesting Fact: The 1961 season was so competitive that it led to tension between Mantle and Maris, despite their shared success with the Yankees.

14. Walter Johnson Signed Baseball

• Estimated Value: $55,000
• Description: Walter Johnson, one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball history, has a highly desirable autograph. Signed baseballs by Johnson are particularly valuable due to his legendary career and the historical era in which he played.
• Interesting Fact: Johnson still holds the MLB record for most career shutouts, with 110.

15. Satchel Paige Signed Baseball

• Estimated Value: $49,450
• Description: Satchel Paige was one of the greatest pitchers in both the Negro Leagues and Major League Baseball. His autographed baseballs are highly valued due to his remarkable talent and the significant barriers he broke throughout his career.
• Interesting Fact: Paige was the oldest rookie in Major League Baseball history, debuting at the age of 42.

These autographed baseballs are not only valuable for their monetary worth but also for the rich history and remarkable stories they represent. Collectors treasure these items as they connect them to the legendary players and moments that have shaped the game of baseball.