Image from Heritage Auctions.
By Kim Kalunian, WPRO News
The famous “Bloody Sock” worn by Curt Schilling in game two of the 2004 World Series – which the RedSox went on to win – is currently on the auction block.
The sock will join 1,050 other lots at the first ever Platinum Night Sports Auction hosted by Heritage Auctions in New York. The high bid on Schilling’s sock Monday was $32,500, an amount that leapt overnight to $60,000. The sock was consigned to heritage directly from Schilling; it’s the same sock that was once on display at the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Chris Ivy, Director of Sports Auctions for Heritage, did not disclose the financial agreement reached between Heritage and Schilling for the sock, though he did say Heritage reached out to Schilling when rumors started circulating that the former baseball star would sell the bloody garment.
A spokesman for Heritage said their sports memorabilia business brings in $20 million annually, making them the largest sellers of sports memorabilia in the world. Ivy said this auction is anticipated to bring in $6 million.
Heritage typically holds their live auctions in Dallas, but Saturday's will be held at the Fletcher-Sinclair Mansion on East 79th Street in NYC. Live-bidding will take place Saturday evening, and lots will be available for perusal starting Wednesday.
Online bidding is already underway, and the current bid on Schilling’s sock is $60,000. Those at Heritage expect it to draw at least $100,000.
"It's definitely a unique piece," said Ivy. "I don’t think we’ve ever sold a sock like this before. It's a one-of-a-kind item that relates to a historic World Series moment. That in and of itself is very collectible."
A 19.5-percent buyer's premium will be tacked on to the final selling price.
Though the sock will rake in some big bucks, the headlining lot is expected to be a jersey worn by U.S. hockey player Mike Eruzione when he scored the winning goal against Russia at 1980 Olympics. Heritage estimates the jersey alone will fetch upwards of $1 million; the current bid is $375,000. Eruzione’s hockey stick is already up to $85,000 and was only expected to bring in $50,000.
After Schilling’s brainchild, 38 Studios, went belly up last spring, Schilling found his finances – much like the sock stained by his bleeding ankle – in the red. Schilling defaulted on a payment for a $75 million loan guarantee from the EDC in the spring, leaving Rhode Island to cough up $100 million. The collapse of 38 Studios left Schilling with multi-million dollar debt, a problem that may prove more difficult to overcome than the "Curse of the Bambino"
"The Curse of the Bambino lasted 86 years," said Ivy, "And this sock is the perfect representation of the blood, sweat and tears it took to overcome it."
