Most of what is left of Cinergy Field may be just a pile of rubble and dust, but some of it was saved for a new home, perhaps in someone's basement, rec room or even a softball complex.
O'Rourke Wrecking Company, which demolished the building, will auction off the memorabilia it salvaged from the 33-year-old stadium before the Dec. 29 implosion.
Saturday's auction at O'Rourke's property near Lunken Airport includes a long list of stadium artifacts. Some of the more valuable items, according to Sports Investments Inc. president Steve Wolter, are turnstiles, retired jersey displays, player lockers and a pair of seats from Crosley Field autographed by Pete Rose and Johnny Bench.
"The turnstiles are very collectable," Wolter said. "They aren't that big, and they're easily displayed."
IF YOU GO
• What: Cinergy Field auction.
• Friday: Preview, 4-6 p.m.
• Saturday: Preview, 7:30-9 a.m.; Auction, 9 a.m.
• Where: O'Rourke Wrecking Company, 660 Lunken Park Dr. (Across from Lunken Airport)
• Directions: Take Columbia Parkway (US 50) east to Beechmont Ave. exit (Ohio 32). Turn east onto Beechmont Ave. and make a quick right (south) onto Wilmer Ave. Turn right at Lunken Park Drive and follow signs.
• Some items for bid: Seats, bases signed by Pete Rose, flags, 1988 All-Star banner.
Auctioneer Steve Schell expects the seats signed by Rose and Bench to draw the highest bids.
"Those should go for thousands of dollars," said Schell, who along with partner Sean McKay, was commissioned by O'Rourke to produce the auction.
The largest item up for bid is the outfield wall, which Schell wants to auction as one piece, possibly for someone interested in constructing a softball or baseball field. If not, the 200 pieces that make up the wall will be auctioned individually.
A viewing preview for the auction is scheduled for 4-6 p.m. Friday and 7:30-9 a.m. Saturday. The auction begins at 9 a.m. Saturday. Schell plans for about 2,000 people to show up.
"This is people's last chance to get something from the stadium," Wolter said. "At least directly. There will probably be some of it available on the aftermarket."
