EXTON, Pa. — Thurman Munson's World Series rings, MVP trophy and the uniform that the former New York Yankees catcher wore for his final home game before he died in a 1979 plane crash will be auctioned off in connection with this summer's All-Star game at Yankee Stadium.

"There could not be a more appropriate place to offer the collection to the public then New York City on the occasion of the final All-Star game to be played at Yankee Stadium," Munson's wife, Diana, said. "Thurman so loved that stadium and the fans who shared his many years with the team."

Also part of the July 14-15 auction are Lou Gehrig's warmup jacket dating to the final game of his streak of playing 2,130 consecutive games, the ball from Babe Ruth's 712th home run and a bat used in a game by Jackie Robinson.

The Munson collection consists of more than 140 items, including a custom-made Mercedes-Benz convertible and a replica World Series trophy made for him after the Yankees' 1978 title.

"My three children and I have held on to some items of great personal meaning to us but the time has come to share the collection with the public who so adored Thurman as a player with the Yankees," Diana Munson said. "Along with thousands of Yankees fans, we have so many fond memories of Thurman and the memorabilia items help to tell the story of his life."

Hall of Famer Whitey Ford's collection will also be auctioned off, including a ball signed for him by President Kennedy, Ford's 1961 World Series Babe Ruth Most Valuable Player Award, his 1950 Yankees road jersey and a signed game-used glove.

On the net: www.huntauctions.com