Gianfriddo's Glove, Catch

Al Gionfriddo's wife reportedly bought back her husband's famous glove used to take away an opposite field home run by Joe DiMaggio in the '47 World Series. The glove was offered at auction by MastroNet in late November. The Gionfriddo's were only out the buyer's and seller's premium based on the $10,721 hammer price. With commission, Lot 81 sold for $12,329. The catch forced Game 7 of the Series against the Yanks; prompted DiMaggio to uncharacteristically to show emotion by kicking up dirt as he neared second base; and gave history one great radio call - "Oh, doctor."

Baseball's Hall of Fame Museum has exhibited the glove it was presented by Gionfriddo subsequent to the '47 Series. And while Gionfriddo told the New York Daily News, "There was no way I was going to part with that glove," the Hall of Fame believes the Brooklyn Dodger left fielder has dropped the ball on this one. "He may have had other gloves that season," said chief curator Peter Clark. "All of the records we have indicate the glove he donated was THE glove."

Clark said the glove has been displayed for years; Gionfriddo has even visited the World Series famous catches exhibit and never suggested anything other than the fact that the Hall had the real deal. "I don't know why he's doing this," Clark said. "He clearly knew we had the glove." Gionfriddo was unavailable for comment, but he told the Daily News that he's had numerous offers to sell the glove. "I always wanted to keep it in the family," he was quoted as saying, "but when (dealer) Mike Gutierrez (of Arizona) said we could get six figures for it, I thought I would see what it could get."

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