This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/8/2018
In 1965, Baltimore Orioles outfielder Curt Blefary was named American League Rookie of the Year for which he was presented this Ford C. Frick award plaque. Debuting alongside Mark Belanger,
Davey Johnson and a 19-year-old Jim Palmer, Blefary blasted 22 home runs
and knocked in
70 runs with an on-base-percentage of .381.
The very next season, the O's would win the franchise's first World Series
championship. Even after a career that saw him also play for the Astros, A’s, Yankees
and Padres, Blefary was a Baltimore fan favorite and remained fiercely loyal of his Oriole days to the
point of requesting his ashes be scattered in the old Memorial
Stadium upon his death, which occurred in 2001.
Manufactured by Dieges & Clust, the shield-shaped
black wooden plaque (9" wide, 11" long and .75" thick) has a sterling silver (hallmarked) raised relief bust of the Hall of Fame sportswriter and longtime MLB executive. Raised letters surround Frick's portrait reading "Ford C. Frick Award" above "Rookie of the Year" and crossed bats saying "American League." A sterling silver (hallmarked) nameplate engraved "1965 - Curtis L. Blefary
- Baltimore Orioles." The exquisitely crafted and
designed award, which comes in EX-MT overall condition with no cracks and just one minor ding on the upper right, is all the more desirable
being the first year issued by Major League Baseball (according to its initial auction listing in 1996).
Includes LOA from Curt Belfary.
This lot has a Reserve Price that has not been met.