In the auction world, few events garner more excitement and expectation than a truly exceptional sports memorabilia sale. And that is exactly what will be taking place at McManus Auctions in Henderson, Nev., on Jan. 25.

There will be 500 pieces of rare and historic memorabilia on the block, including several related to the Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig-era New York Yankees, that will have any sports fan chomping at the bit. While many of those fans might be able to make it out to the desert Jan. 25, those who can't make the trip should head over to iCollector.com, where an accompanying online auction will be held.

Memorabilia auction
Many sports historians consider the Yankees teams of the 1920s and 30s – especially the 1927 version – to be the best baseball teams to ever take the field. Led by Ruth, Gehrig and a host of other Hall of Famers, those teams dominated the competition, winning eight championships between 1923 and 1939.

Now, baseball fans can bring home more than a dozen items from that era, including a pair of practice pants autographed by the Bae himself (lot #423), a baseball signed by several members of the 1927 squad (lot #343) and several other balls, bats, gloves and uniforms signed by members of Yankees teams from that era.

Collectibles auction
Anyone who isn't a fan of the Yankees will also be pleased with the numerous other collectibles that will be up for bid Jan. 25. Some of the greatest names in baseball history are attached to several other items, and they are all pieces of baseball history that are not to be missed.

Josh Gibson is considered by many to be the greatest baseball player of the sport's racially segregated era, purportedly having hit more than 1,000 home runs in his career. Sadly, he never got a chance to show of his prowess in the majors. But one lucky collector will be able to take home a catcher's mitt signed by the star (lot #381) when the gavel falls at the McManus auction.

There will also be items signed by legends like Christy Mathewson, Ted Williams, Sandy Koufax, Ernie Banks and Reggie Jackson. It's a veritable treasure trove of baseball memorabilia, into which any true lover of the sport will want to dive. And iCollector.com is the only place on the web to take a sneak peak at the inventory and bid on it once auction day arrives. So swing for the fences.