220 MLB Signatures + One Chevy Tahoe Hood = a One-of-a-Kind Piece of Baseball Memorabilia

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Take the hood of a Chevy Tahoe; bring it to six Major League Baseball parks; have more than 220 players sign it, including the biggest names in baseball today, Baseball Hall of Fame members and future stars of tomorrow; and what have you got? One of the most unique pieces of baseball memorabilia ever created.

Baseball memorabilia collectors and auto enthusiasts will have the opportunity to bid on this one-of-a-kind vehicle on January, 16, 2009, at the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, Ariz. A portion of the proceeds will be used to help create future stars, as they will be donated to non-profit youth baseball programs across the United States.

The Chevy Tahoe (Lot #961) will be sold at No Reserve and has been dubbed the Ultimate Baseball Ride because of some special upgrades. In addition to “standard” luxury features like top-of-the-line stereo, DVD player with several screens and custom paint, the SUV features Rawlings baseball glove leather seats and steering wheel and baseball-bat ash wood dashboard, door panel and steering wheel accents.

Adding to the draw of this unique Tahoe is a second hood that is signed by Major League Baseball stars like Derek Jeter, Ryan Howard, Mariano Rivera, Francisco Rodriguez, Vladimir Guerrero, Carlos Zambrano, Chipper Jones, Barry Zito and Tim Lincecum. About 220 current players from eight teams – the Los Angeles Angels at Anaheim, the San Francisco Giants, the New York Yankees, the Philadelphia Phillies, the Chicago Cubs, the Atlanta Braves, the New York Mets and the San Diego Padres – have signed the hood. The hood also made a stop in Cooperstown, N.Y., for the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony in July, where Hall of Fame members Yogi Berra, Bob Gibson, Ozzie Smith, Tom Seaver, Whitey Ford and others also signed. All signatures on the hood were authenticated by Steiner Sports, the leader in sports memorabilia authentication and sports marketing.

Front and center on the hood is the first signature from Goose Gossage, the only player inducted into the Hall of Fame this year. He helped collect the signatures as part of AutoTrader.com’s Drive to a New Start program.

Drive to a New Start was one of AutoTrader.com’s 2008 marketing and community outreach programs. In each city Gossage visited with AutoTrader.com, he hosted a youth baseball clinic for inner city children, met fans and signed autographs at pre-game events and conducted on-field or in-box media interviews. At each city, Gossage helped collect players’ and coaches’ signatures on the hood, with each signature garnering an AutoTrader.com donation to youth baseball programs in those cities. The program raised a total of $100,000, and the proceeds from the auction of the signed hood and the tricked-out Chevy Tahoe itself in January will also be donated to youth baseball programs.

AutoTrader.com to Auction MLB Tahoe at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale (2/2)

“It was a real thrill to be involved with this program during my Hall of Fame induction year,” said Gossage. “Touring the country, collecting these signatures and helping kids learn about baseball was all very rewarding. I’m excited to see what this unique collectible fetches at auction in January. It’s definitely going to make the lucky winner very happy.”

“Steiner Sports is honored to be the official authenticator for such a creative campaign,” said Jason Teitler, senior vice president, Steiner Sports & Entertainment Marketing. “The AutoTrader.com hood features a rare blend of autographs with signatures from current and future baseball legends that makes this piece a one-of-a-kind collectible and a unique investment.”

This amazing vehicle will sell to the highest bidder with the proceeds benefiting MLB Charities. To register to bid on this one-of-a-kind vehicle, please visit barrett-jackson.com or call 480-421-6694. Internet and absentee bidding is also available for fans who cannot attend the Barrett-Jackson event.

“This is a unique opportunity to own a piece of history that combines two of America’s favorite pastimes -- baseball and car collecting,” noted Steve Davis, president of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. “We’re excited about this historic piece of sports and automotive memorabilia, especially since proceeds from the sale will help encourage kids to get out of the stands and into the game. Providing this incredible opportunity once again creates an exclusive Barrett-Jackson experience.”

For more information about the Drive to a New Start program, to see images of the signed Tahoe hood or learn about signing up to bid on the hood and the Tahoe at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in January, please visit www.autotrader.com/newstart. Visitors to the site will also see highlights from the various Drive to a New Start events held with Gossage throughout the year.

About AutoTrader.com

AutoTrader.com, created in 1997 and headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., is the Internet's leading auto classifieds marketplace and consumer information website. AutoTrader.com aggregates in a single location about 4 million new, used and certified pre-owned vehicle listings from 40,000 dealers and 250,000 private owners, and the site attracts about 14 million unique monthly visitors. Through innovative merchandising functionality such as multiple photos, videos, detailed descriptions and comprehensive research and compare tools, AutoTrader.com unites new and used car buyers and sellers online to improving the way people research, locate and advertise vehicles. For more information, please visit www.autotrader.com.

About The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company

Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces the “World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions™” in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Fla., and Las Vegas. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit www.barrett-jackson.com or call 480-421-6694.