Antiques Roadshow guest left in tears over eye-watering price of baseball trophy given to him by late father
An Antiques Roadshow guest was overcome with emotion over the value of a priceless gift from his father during Monday night’s season 29 premiere.
As the hit PBS show made a stop in Arkansas, the owner of the sterling trophy presented to baseball legend Rogers Hornsby’s explained how his father had been “good friends” with the sports hero.
Thanks to this friendship, the sports icon was willing to give up his 1926 trophy so it could be given to the guest – a gift now worth a five-figure sum.
Appraiser Grant Zahajko immediately emphasized the importance of the trophy when he explained: ‘For people who don’t know Rogers Hornsby, he played 23 seasons between 1915 and 1937.
‘Hornsby received this trophy because he was voted the most popular player in the National League by the youth of America… [it was presented to him] on opening day in April 1926.’
Adding up more of the baseball star’s accomplishments, he continued, “Rogers Hornsby, he’s won the NL batting title seven times. He is considered one of the best hitters ever.
An Antiques Roadshow guest was overcome with emotion Monday night over the value of a priceless gift from his father during the season 29 premiere
The owner explained how his father had been “good friends” with baseball legend Rogers Hornsby, who passed on the gift that is now worth a five-figure sum
“Rogers Hornsby’s batting average was .358, third all-time.”
Grant then confirmed it was a real trophy made by Gorham, as he noted: ‘It’s hand-hammered, what we call a loving cup.
“For insurance purposes, I would say for you and your family, you want to insure this for $10,000.”
The guest was left stunned before his eyes began to fill with tears.
As he spoke through the emotion, his voice broke as he admitted, “There’s… there’s more to it than just the money.
“I took him out of the house, it’s like I took my arm off, the way I thought about it.”
Laughing at his response, he added, “I don’t have too much…too many emotions about a lot of things, but my kids and old Hornsby.”
Rogers Hornsby (1896 -1963) was widely regarded as the game’s best right-handed hitter.
As he spoke through the emotion, his voice cracked as he admitted, “There’s more to it than the money… I took it out of the house, it’s like taking my arm off, the way I thought about it.”
Laughing at his reaction, he added: ‘I don’t have too much – too many emotions about a lot of things, but my children and old Hornsby’
Rogers Hornsby (1896 -1963) was widely considered the game’s best right-handed hitter and won the NL batting title seven times
The baseball star served as player-manager during select seasons with the Braves (1928) and Cubs (1930-1932), as well as during his entire tenure with the Browns.
In addition, Rogers spent part of the 1952 season as a full-time manager with the Browns and part of the Cincinnati Reds, which he also managed in 1953.
He also served as a scout and coach for a number of Major League teams after his playing days were over.
Rogers was officially elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1942.
In the premiere episode of the beloved show, appraisals took place at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Other treasures featured in the episode included the cover art of 1976 Marvel UK Super Spider-Man No. 175, oil paintings by Clarence Millet, c. 1976. 1945 and a beautiful Marcus & Co. boulder ring opal and gold, ca. 1945. 1900.
Antiques Roadshows airs Monday to Monday at 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM on PBS.