Mar 30, 2005 2 min read

PITTSBURGH (AP) – A federal bankruptcy judge has delayed the sale of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 1979 World Series trophy and other memorabilia for 30 days so attorneys can determine who owns the items before a possible court-ordered auction. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge M. Bruce McCullough delayed the sale on Tuesday, after the Pirates asked for an injunction against the Allegheny HYP Club, which may sell the items to satisfy debts of the former Allegheny Club. But the judge rejected the team’s request to take possession of the trophy and other items.

The Allegheny Club, which operated a restaurant at the Pirates’ former home, Three Rivers Stadium, declared bankruptcy in 2002 and its memorabilia collection might be sold to pay its debts. The club has since merged with the HYP Pittsburgh Club and is now known as The Allegheny HYP Club.

The club has lent the trophy to the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum in Pittsburgh, where it remains on display, but earlier this year advised the bankruptcy court that an unnamed memorabilia collector from New York has offered $100,000 for the collection, including the trophy.

Since then, the Pirates have disputed whether the Allegheny Club ever owned the trophy. The team hopes to prove that its former owners, the Galbreath family, only lent the trophy to the club, said spokeswoman Patty Paytas.

Attorneys for the team and the club will meet privately to try and resolve the issue. If they cannot, McCullough will schedule a hearing to determine ownership.

But representatives for both sides said Tuesday they hope to somehow keep the trophy in Pittsburgh for fans to enjoy.

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