This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/5/2007
Ty Cobb proved that a player need not be loved to be a baseball star. He could be cordially hated by thousands of fans who crowded the stands to watch and heckle, by teammates who seethed with resentment, and by opponents who were plainly afraid. But, to inspire such emotion, one has to be very good. “The Georgia Peach” certainly was that good. So good that he seemed “possessed by the furies” as he rounded the bases, so good that he closed the record books forever in a number of categories, so good that a fascinated world recognized him for a genius, one of the two greatest baseball players ever. Fans will always dispute whether Babe Ruth or Cobb deserves the ultimate accolade, but it is a comparison of apples and peaches. Each mastered a completely different era, those distinguished by “long balls” and “dead balls.” However, in the category of “single signed balls,” Ruth is the clear victor, with the supply of high-grade examples graced by his hand far outnumbering those of Cobb seen in today’s marketplace. This Ty Cobb single signed baseball is among the finest examples known in terms of condition. Cobb’s large signature covers the side panel of this Reach "Official League" ball in blue ink. Cobb has added the date “6/19/56.” PSA has graded the signature at 9/10 and estimated the baseball itself at 7/10. An overall aggregate grade of 8.5 has been assigned with a half point bump given for overall aesthetic quality. By any measure this easily ranks among the finest Cobb singles known. LOAs from PSA/DNA (Graded 8.5) and JSA.
Estimate: $15,000-20,000