Athletes and fans in auction to help attack victims

Sports stars such as Tiger Woods, Andre Agassi and Venus Williams and fans like New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani are helping raise millions of dollars for victims of the recent attacks on the U.S. through "Auction for America."

The Internet auction site E-bay set up "Auction for America" with a stated goal of raising $100 million in 100 days with all the proceeds going to disaster relief charities like the September 11th Fund and Twin Towers Fund.

Ordinary citizens, corporations and organizations from all industries were encouraged to participate and the sports world, its fans and memorabilia collectors were answering the call, beginning with Giuliani, the self-proclaimed number one New York Yankees fan.

The New York City Mayor helped kick off the drive by promising to provide a baseball autographed by Hall of Famer Yogi Berra that was given to Giuliani at Yankee Stadium on "Yogi Berra Day" in 1999.

"Sports memorabilia items have been incredibly hot over the last few years," said Kevin Pursglove, senior director of communications for E-bay. "We expect it will play a significant role in our efforts to raise the $100 million."

New York Governor George Pataki was also participating by offering a photograph of himself and late Yankees legend Joe DiMaggio from the 1999 ticker tape parade honoring the World Series champions.

The power of Tiger Woods's name was put to good use with the world's top-ranked and most popular golfer donating, through his foundation, a framed autographed pin flag from the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, where he set tournament records for strokes below par and margin of victory.

The bidding for the flag and accompanying plaque had already reached $10,000 on Tuesday with six days to go.

Tennis was also playing its part, with top players such as Agassi, Williams and Lindsay Davenport approaching officials from their respective tours asking what they could do to help.

Many of the descriptions of items up for auction include personal messages from private citizens donating their own sports memorabilia.

"I am selling some of my autographed baseball collection to help the families who lost loved ones in the September 11 disaster," wrote one seller. "I lost two friends and ask you to support the fund by bidding."

Signed Baseballs
His baseballs autographed by former Yankees greats Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra and Don Mattingly and future Hall of Famer Roger Clemens raised $660.

An NBA fan offering his prized possession -- a basketball autographed by two-time NBA champion Shaquille O'Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers -- wrote, "I would not part with this ball for any reason but this. Please open your wallets ... Thank you and God bless America."

An autographed racket used by Agassi during the 2001 Australian Open, which he won to capture his seventh career Grand Slam title, had surpassed $2,000 in the bidding after being donated along with several other items by the ATP Tour.

Sampras 13
An autographed Wimbledon program from the final day of the 2000 championships signed "Pete Sampras 13," signifying his record 13th Grand Slam triumph, had drawn a bid of $1,325.

The WTA Tour has authorized the sale of some 16 player-related items with a shirt worn and autographed by Anna Kournikova so far attracting the highest bid of $330 and counting.

Similar items from Venus and Serena Williams and Jennifer Capriati, a pair of Monica Seles's sneakers and a 1999 Wimbledon order of play sheet signed by finalists Steffi Graf and Davenport were also being auctioned off.

"After such horrible events last week, everyone is pulling together to try to help," Davenport said in a statement issued by the WTA Tour.

"Even though this might not seem like much, in a time like this every little bit can truly make a difference. This can provide a way for tennis fans around the world to make an impact.

"On behalf of the entire Tour, our hearts go out to everybody affected by this tragedy," she said.