Jackie Robinson 1953 Game-Used Bat Sells for $321,287 at Goldin
A game-used Louisville Slugger from Jackie Robinson’s 1953 season sold for $321,287 at Goldin, becoming one of the standout baseball artifacts in the auction house’s Fall Game Used Memorabilia Auction. The Hillerich & Bradsby O16 professional model bat was authenticated by PSA/DNA and graded GU 9. Goldin identified the piece as coming from the personal collection of late Indianapolis Colts owner and prominent memorabilia collector Jim Irsay.
Goldin ties the bat specifically to Robinson’s 1953 season with the Brooklyn Dodgers, when he batted .329 with 12 home runs and 95 RBI. The Dodgers reached the World Series that season, giving the bat a connection to another pennant-winning year during Robinson’s historic career. The bat shows heavy game use, according to Goldin, including ball marks and stitch impressions on the barrel. It measures 34.5 inches and weighs 32.5 ounces, while the knob carries a faded black “42,” matching Robinson’s uniform number.
The O16 model also helps narrow the bat’s connection to the 1953 season. Factory records associated with the bat indicate that 1953 was the only year in which Robinson ordered that particular model, adding another layer of documentation to the game-used piece.
The $321,287 result came in an auction filled with historically significant game-used memorabilia from across sports. One of the biggest results previously covered by CollectiblesNews.com came from basketball, where LeBron James’ first Team USA game jersey sold for $722,240 at Goldin. That photo-matched No. 9 jersey was worn during James’ first game representing the United States in 2004 and was matched to three pre-Olympic appearances. The Robinson bat and James jersey demonstrate the range of historically significant material offered in the same Fall Game Used Memorabilia Auction, spanning two of the most recognizable athletes in American sports history.
The final $321,287 price underscores the demand for well-documented equipment connected to Robinson, particularly pieces that can be tied to a specific season through both physical characteristics and manufacturer records.