Legendary Auctions, the same house that sold almost a half-million dollars worth of Gibson’s memorabilia this summer, is currently featuring a Brock collection of 78 items. Online and phone bidding begins today, Monday, November 9.

Included are at least three items directly a part of his then-record-setting 893^rd stolen base in 1974 – his game jersey, the actual bag from the stolen base and the ball from that play. Brock’s 1967 championship ring, gloves, jerseys, bats, other game-used equipment items and commemorative balls are up for sale, including the one from his last hit as a major leaguer.

A really unique item is the “20” pennant that flew above the old Busch Stadium to recognize Brock’s retired number. A wide variety of different award plaques, cups and trophies are among the heirlooms to be auctioned as well as a number of oil paintings of Brock, including ones by Leroy Neiman and Flood.

Alas, not a single Brockabrella is being offered…

The items to be sold include his 1964 World Series Ring (pre-auction estimate: $15,000-$20,000), his 1963 Gold Glove Award ($5,000-$7,000), a Flood-worn Cardinals cap ($750-$1,000), several gloves ($750-$1,000), multiple Old Timers’ Day uniforms ($500-$750) and his signed 1967 contract ($750-$1,000).

A number of signed baseballs are in the collection, including ones inscribed to Flood by historical figures such as Rosa Parks ($1,000-$1,500), Muhammad Ali ($500-$750) and Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Joe DiMaggio ($500-$750). Of course, there are multiple Flood-signed balls, too ($300-$400).

There are also the mundane, such as Flood’s wallet and its contents, including his AARP card ($300-$400), and the beautiful. The former outfielder was an accomplished artist, with one of the items for sale an exquisite oil canvas he painted of teammate Gibson ($3,000-$4,000).

The memorabilia is being brought forward by Flood’s widow, Judy Pace Flood, an actress, and is being auctioned by a company called Hunt Auctions at the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory in Louisville, Kentucky.

Flood passed away far too soon at the age of 59 on January 20, 1997 due to throat cancer. Though he may be most known for his courageous fight to help to put an end to the reserve clause and open the doors to free agency, Flood was also a fine player. He was a three-time All-Star, won seven consecutive Gold Gloves and was a key part of the championship clubs in 1964, 1967 and 1968. At Scout.com, we ranked Flood the 19^th-greatest Cardinals player of all time.

For those who want to read about Flood’s life, I highly recommend his biography, A Well-Paid Slave: Curt Flood’s Fight for Free Agency in Professional Sports, written by Brad Snyder.

Yet it also applies to a St. Louis Cardinals icon, Bob Gibson, the best pitcher to ever don the birds on the bat, according to our all-time ranking at Scout.com.

In just one month from now, on July 31st, 100 items representing the best of the Hall of Famer’s lifetime collection of baseball memorabilia will be sold to the highest bidders through the services of a Cleveland firm called Legendary Auctions.

The auction is scheduled to coincide with the National Sports Collectors convention and will include Gibson’s World Series rings, Most Valuable Player and Cy Young Awards, game-used equipment and more.

The items to be auctioned include the following:

• Gibson’s 1968 MVP Award
• Gibson’s 1968 and 1970 Cy Young awards
• Gibson’s 1964 and 1967 World Series rings
• Gibson’s Hall of Fame induction ring
• A complete compilation of all of Gibson’s player contracts
• Gibson’s first MLB victory ball
• A Gibson game-used glove

Just yesterday, I was reading an article highlighting the top ten “hocked” World Series rings. But in that case, most of the players/coaches who originally owned the rings are either dead or the sellers were obscure participants who perhaps needed a quick cash infusion.

That doesn’t seem to be the case with Gibson, who seemingly has lived a comfortable life back home in Bellevue, Nebraska with an occasional spring foray to Jupiter, Florida for spring training or a summer visit for a ceremony of some type in St. Louis.

Apparently, Gibby has decided that this is the right time to put his memorabilia on the open market.

While that is clearly his right, it seems a shame that he feels the need to put such tangible elements representing his legacy up for sale to the highest bidder. On the other hand, Gibson is now 73 years old and must have decided he’d rather this is carried out while he is still alive instead of after his passing.

At least the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.) will receive an undefined portion of the proceeds. The charity aids long-time members of the “baseball family” that are unable to help themselves due to personal hardships.

Gibson does not apply.