This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/20/2011
1) November 27, 1933 two page TSL on Detroit Baseball Company letterhead from Tiger owner Frank Navin to Cochrane regarding his trade/sale to the team as both player and manager. He speaks about having the spring training facilities at Lakeland, Florida ready for the team and his expectation that "Baker" will be his coach stating that (Bucky) Harris told me in his opinion Baker was the smartest coach he had ever been connected with". Interestingly enough, the bulk of the letter deals with Cochrane's request that the Tigers also purchase pitcher George Earnshaw from the Athletics. He is very cold to the idea at first saying Connie Mack wants to much ($40,000) "for a man past hist peak" and further states "In the thirty years' experience I have had in baseball I have never found a man who reformed entirely in-so-far as bad habits and drinking are concerned. He goes on to say that a player like Earnshaw would be "liable to do a lot of harm to a ball club that is otherwise temperate". Needless to says, Navin nixed the idea of Earnshaw coming to the Tigers. Earnshaw would eventually go to the White Sox, then Dodgers, and finally Cardinals over the next 3 years. Strong 8-9/10 vintage black ink Frank Navin signature on a beautiful condition letter. Just one small rust stain from a paper clip at the upper top left and a couple of ink spots in the lower right.
2) Mickey Cochrane's copy of the American League Notice To Player Of Release Or Transfer form notifying him of his transfer to the Detroit Tigers, dated December 14th, 1933.
Includes a letter of provenance from the Cochrane estate.
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.