6 X 220 = A Large Contribution

Major League Baseball, it's stars, and former stars are lending their name to help raise money for charity.

Fans, collectors, and enthusiasts will have the opportunity to offer a bid on a unique, one of a kind automobile on January 16, 2009.The Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona

will be auctioning off a Chevy Tahoe, with the proceeds going towards non-profit youth baseball programs across the United States.

According to the article in Market Watch “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.”

Along with this car, there will be a second hood that is signed by MLB stars such as: Derek Jeter, Ryan Howard, Mariano Rivera, Francisco Rodriguez, Vladimir Guerrero, Carlos Zambrano, Chipper Jones, Barry Zito and Tim Lincecum. Approximately 220 players from eight different teams signed the hood. The teams involved are: 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. During the Hall Of Fame Induction ceremony, Hall of Fame members Yogi Berra, Bob Gibson, Ozzie Smith, Tom Seaver, Whitey Ford and others also signed. The center of the hood is signed by newly inducted Hall Of Famer Goose Gossage.

“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. “

Gossage said, "It was a real thrill to be involved with this program during my Hall of Fame induction year. 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."