The fans called him “Wild Man" for his often unpredictable heater and propensity to pitch inside. Tommy Byrne was unique in that he had two separate stints with the New York Yankees during their late-40’s to late-50’s dynasty, but it was his second go-around for which he was better remembered. In the 1955 World Series against their cross-town Brooklyn rivals, Yanks skipper Casey Stengel sent Byrne to the mound following Whitey Ford’s win in Game 1. Byrne was simply masterful, pitching out of trouble several times and holding the powerful Dodgers lineup to just a pair of runs. Byrne even contributed a two-run single that chased Dodgers starter Billy Loes to the Yankee Stadium showers early, gaving the Yanks a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Byrne's complete-game victory by the score of 4-2 gave New York a 2-0 series advantage and gave Brooklyn fans that old familiar feeling: the Yanks would yet again beat 'Dem Bums. As it turned out, Game 2 would be the high point for New York fans as the Dodgers came back to win their first and only World Championship in Brooklyn.
According to a family letter of provenance, Tommy Byrne used this glove for the Yankees and its dates to his second tenure with the team. The style of the glove appears to match images from the 1955 season and World Series, including his revered Game 2 victory. A conclusive photo-match would be very tough, but considering how few gloves players would go through then (and even today), it seems logical to conclude this is the glove from that thrilling performance. Statistically, Byrne had his finest season in '55 going 16-7 in 22 starts with a 3.15 ERA. The fielder’s glove shows tremendous wear, its leather displaying many scuffs and abrasions with the surface layer worn through in some areas. The leather trim along the wrist strap and openings have cracked and some of the rawhide lacing looks to have been restored.
The glove is accompanied by three Western Union telegrams each dated September 29, 1955 (Game 2 of World Series). One wishes Byrne luck and two congratulate him and his teammates after Byrne's complete-game victory.
Includes LOA from the Byrne family.