Love of the Game Opening Day, 2013 Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/7/2013
The 1972 Hall of Fame induction ceremony featured some of the game's most legendary names. The writers selected Sandy Koufax, Yogi Berra, and Early Wynn. The Veterans Committee added Lefty Gomez, Ross Youngs and Will Harridge. The Negro Leagues Committee added Buck Leonard and Josh Gibson. By any account, it was a stellar class.
This baseball is an absolutely unbelievable memento from that induction: a Spalding "Baseball Hall of Fame" ball, signed in blue ballpoint pen by several of that year's induction class, as well as a few other notable names.
Inscribed "To Robby - Best Wishes" by Sandy Koufax, the ball has been signed by Koufax and former Yankees catcher Bill Dickey (HOF), along with Lefty Gomez (HOF), Buck Leonard (HOF), Casey Stengel (HOF), Yogi Berra (HOF) and Stan Musial (HOF). The ball was obtained 40 years ago and then placed in a plastic bag and put away in the attic by a non-baseball family. It is almost an accident that the ball was even saved, as the consignor did not recognize any of the names on the ball and told us "I don't care about baseball, I don't know any of the players. I could just as easily have thrown the ball away as kept it."
Each of these signatures are impeccably preserved, not having seen the light of day in 40 years. Dark as if they'd just been written, each of the signatures is clear and easily identifiable, and except for some minor toning, the ball is also in excellent condition.
This is an amazing ball, signed by some of the game's most famous and popular personalities, a treasure that's been hiding from the hobby for four decades. Full LOA from James Spence Authentication.
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