SEATTLE – An autographed bat from Ichiro Suzuki drew the top bid of $7,000 at an auction of items gathered by Seattle Mariners players’ wives to raise money for terrorist attack relief efforts.
Also auctioned on Wednesday were a Harley-Davidson motorcycle helmet autographed by Edgar Martinez for $1,100 and John Olerud’s fielding glove, each for $1,100, Bret Boone’s batting gloves for $700 and autographed baseballs from relief pitcher Norm Charlton for $600.
A pair of imitation diamond earrings and an autographed photo of Arthur Rhodes, donated by the reliever and his wife, Leah, brought $1,025.
Real diamond earrings, given to Rhodes by his wife to represent his two children, got him in trouble Aug. 25 in Cleveland when Indians shortstop Omar Vizquel complained that sunlight was flashing off the jewelry.
When the umpire asked Rhodes to remove the earrings, he objected and was ejected after a verbal exchange.
“Me and my wife went out and got them (the imitation diamond earrings) for a good cause,” Rhodes said. “You’ve got to have some fun with it and turn it back into something positive.”
More items were set to be auctioned at Safeco Field on Thursday.
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