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Amazing Large Tony Conigliaro Collection (57)
"Tony C." was his moniker throughout Red Sox Nation and beyond, and in 1964, 19-year-old rookie Tony Conigliaro burst onto his Red Sox career with all the power-hitting promise of a young Carl Yastrzemski, second only to Ted Williams in his slugging potential. Years after his early death at age 45, Tony C. remains the closest to a saint among Red Sox alumni, a supremely talented superstar who never got to reach his potential. Offered is the chance to possess an amazing Tony C. collection, one that is extensive, eclectic and a wonderful tribute to this Red Sox legend. Conigliaro was born in Revere, Massachusetts, only six miles from Boston. He signed with the Red Sox as a 17-year-old out of nearby Lynn High School and batted .363 with 24 home runs in his professional 1963 debut season, with Wellsville in the New York-Penn League. He jumped to the Major Leagues at the start of the 1964 season as an 19-year-old playing right field for the Red Sox. He hit .290 with 24 home runs as a rookie and hit 32 and 28 home runs respectively in his next two years with Boston. In 1967, he was hitting .287 with 20 homers and 67 RBIs when on August 18th, 55 years ago this summer, an errant fastball from California Angels' pitcher Jack Hamilton struck Conigliaro in the face, causing severe damage to his left retina, cracking his left cheekbone and dislocating his jaw. After missing the entire 1968 season, Conigliaro made a comeback in 1969, hitting twenty home runs. In 1970, he seemed to be his old self, hitting 36 home runs and having 116 RBIs. but he was traded to the California Angels, and his eyesight deteriorated. He was out of baseball after that 1970 season until a brief and ineffective comeback with the Red Sox in 1975. An especially valuable item in the collection is a poster advertising a testimonial dinner for Tony C. at the Monticello Restaurant in Framingham, Mass. on August 15, 1968, slightly only three days less than a year from the night he was hit in the eye. The poster states that "All proceeds from the event will go to the Jimmy Fund". It is an interesting irony to note that at the time of Tony's C.'s testimonial dinner it was thought by many that his career was over. The advertisement shows water stains, toning, and darkening, and it has several very small tears along the edges. The poster is 13.75" x 19.25" and framed and matted at 20" x 26". Despite the aforementioned imperfections, the poster is a valuable reminder of a time when Tony C.'s career was presumed to be complete, before his awe-inspiring comeback in 1969 that gave him the AL Comeback Plyer of the Year Award. <span style="font-size: 13px;">Also included: <span style="font-size: small;">a RARE Tony C. RCA Victor record titled "Playing the Field", recorded by Tony C. and on the flip side "Why Don't They Understand, also recorded by Conigliaro;</span> a signed and personalized Tony C. postcard; another Tony C. postcard signed by him; a signed and personalized 8" x 10" black and white photo of Tony C., relaxed, hatless, and smiling outside the batting cage, signed and personalized; a signed 8"x 10" personalized Tony C. mass card; Four Tony C. baseball tips; three different Jimmy Fund items; a Tribute to Tony C. Program; Tony C. Sports Guide; 1965 Red Sox scorecard from when Tony played; a ticket envelope with last name signed by Tony C.; a Bob Feller signed post card; a RARE Tony C. RCA Victor record titled "Playing the Field", recorded by Tony C. and on the flip side "Why Don't They Understand, also recorded by Conigliaro; "Please Play our Song and "I Was There"; Two 1965 Red Sox schedules featuring Tony C.; Tony C, Fan Club Pennant; 8"x 10 photo of Tony with his two brothers. The previously mentioned items are not all - many more Tony C. memorabilia included among the 57 items. Overall, the collection can enhance any sports assemblage, or it can stand alone as an extensive Tony C. collection in itself. Individual full LOAs from PSA for the signed photo, two signed postcards, and signed record. </span>
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1982 All-Star Team Signed Poster (25x27”)
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MVP Signed Bat (34")
Hall of Fame Signed Bat with Mantle & Williams (35”)
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