This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/23/2019
Bennie Bengough played the majority of his Major League career as a catcher for the 1920’s Yankee dynasty, most notably as a reserve backstop on the famed Murderers' Row squad of 1927. A light-hitting, defensive specialist, Bengough played the final two seasons of his career with the St. Louis Browns. After his playing career, he spent 18 seasons as a major league coach, twelve of them with the Phillies (1946-58). Bengough passed away in 1968, long before the evolution of modern autograph collecting made popular the notion of confining a baseball to just one autograph, therefore making a single signed baseball from him understandably rare.
This baseball is inscribed on a side panel in 7-/10 looking green ink, "To Jim & Don With Best Wishes October 23-1940 ‘Bennie’ Bengough." The ball itself has evenly toned throughout and manufacturer markings are illegible but appear to be from the Harridge era of the 1940's-50's. Bengough was a back-up catcher for the Yankees from 1923 through 1930, appearing in an average of 40 games a year. In 1927 he appeared in 31 games, hitting .247 with 10 RBI. A tough get for anyone seeking to complete a collection of 1927 Yankees singles. Full LOA from PSA/DNA.