Pirates owner Barney Dreyfuss loved the game more than the business, and always did his best at making it good for the owners and players. He knew that one could not live without the other. Dreyfuss treated his players with respect so steadily that it is difficult to find a man who owned a team for so long. And as baseball's pinnacle attraction and the centerpiece of several championship teams, the loyal and hardworking Honus Wagner gave him few chances during their long relationship to regret his generosity. However, after running away with his second consecutive NL batting title in 1907 (.350) in spite of nagging injuries, Wagner had set his mind on a compensation figure for 1908. This contract, dated April 14th 1908, proposed a salary of $6,000. Later that spring, after some gamesmanship, Wagner eventually signed for $10,000, doubling his previous salary. He showed his gratitude by posting his finest statistical season in baseball in 1908. This contract, originating from Wagner’s personal archives, naturally, remains unsigned by him. It is however, signed by Barney Dreyfuss. Dreyfuss, who passed away in 1932, is remembered as one of baseball’s greatest executives. His important contributions to the game have made history in the most significant manner – creating and proliferating the most memorable, monumental sports event of our time, Baseball’s World Series Championship. Upon his death, the National League President John Heydler said, “ I cannot tell how deeply I feel the loss of Barney Dreyfuss. He discovered more great players than any man in the history of Baseball…” All fountain pen writing, including Dreyfuss’ rare signature are bold and without flaw. Moderate soiling is the only notable condition issue on this historic document that was originally part of Wagner’s personal estate collection last sold by SCP Auctions in 2003 on behalf of Wagner’s granddaughter Leslie Blair Wagner.
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.