This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/11/2018
Being inducted into the hallowed halls of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, marks the pinnacle of any Major Leaguer’s career. This group is a veritable Hall of Fame single-signed ball “starter kit" with an incredible array of 26 single-signed baseballs autographed by a total of 21 different Hall of Fame inductees. The balls show various levels of whiteness and toning, but above all remain in very presentable condition. There are pitching superstars Bob Feller, (2) Robin Roberts, Lefty Gomez, Catfish Hunter, Warren Spahn (2), Don Drysdale, Early Wynn, Tom Seaver, Fergie Jenkins and Nolan Ryan; Cubs heroes Ernie Banks and Billy Williams; Bill Dickey and Johnny Bench (2), two catchers who each redefined the way their position was played; home run sluggers Reggie Jackson, Eddie Mathews (2), Carl Yastrzemski and Ralph Kiner; AL batting champions Rod Carew and Luke Appling; and speed demon Rickey Henderson. Although he doesn’t have a plaque in Cooperstown, hit king Pete Rose fits right in with this Hall of Fame collection.
As for the duplicates, Reds HOF backstop Johnny Bench signed one ball in black marker (rating 9/10, with slight bleeding) and the other in blue ballpoint ink (8/10). The late Warren Spahn, a left-hander who registered 363 career victories, signed two balls on their sweet spots – in blue ink on one and in red ink on the other. Both signatures would rate 8/10 in our book. Two baseballs were signed in blue ink (8/10 rating for both) on their side panels by the late, great pitcher Bob Feller, one ball slightly more toned. And the last pair of single-signed baseballs autographed by the same player belong to late home run slugger Eddie Mathews, who signed one on the sweet spot in black marker (7/10) and the other on a lower panel in 9/10 blue ink.
Includes letter of provenance from the daughter of a longtime MLB executive whose
name will be revealed to the winning bidder. Each ball is pre-certified by PSA/DNA.