The Pacific Coast League (PCL) is a Minor League Baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern, and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major League Baseball. The San Diego Padres were a minor league baseball team which played in the Pacific Coast League from 1936 through 1968. They embarked on the MLB journey starting with the 1969 season.
This lot features a total of six different San Diego Padres PCL team-signed baseballs encompassing the following seasons: 1942, when the Padres finished 91-87; 1957, when they compiled a record of 89-79; 1958 (two baseballs), when they finished 84-69; and 1964 when the team finished in first place in the PCL with a 91-67.A sixth baseball is not notated by year, although the Lefty O'Doul signature on its sweet spot has been deemed a clubhouse version. The 1964 sphere includes Hall of Famer Tony Perez’s autograph along with Art Shamsky, Tommy Helms and Cesar Tovar. The pair of 1958 baseballs boasts signatures from Hal Naragon, Bob Alexander, Carrol Hardy, Dick Smith and Dave Pope. The ’57 team-signed ball includes Bob Lemon, Earl Averill, Vic Lombardi and George Metkovich across the sweet spot. The 1942 Official Rawlings League baseball shows 19 signatures including Norm Brown, Wally Hebert, John Hill, Mel Mazzera (faded), Johnny Jenson and Hal Patchett.
Includes Letter of Provenance from the San Diego Hall of Champions.
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.