This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/30/2006
Negro League Historian John Holway became friendly with many of the great Negro League players as he researched his books from the late 1960's on. He struck up a particularly close friendship with "Big Bill" Drake a man who played ball for the Kansas City Monarchs and other barnstorming teams from 1915 through the early 1930's. As a token of their friendship Drake gave this baseball to Holway an actual game ball from the September 25 1965 game in which 59 year old Paige came out of retirement and pitched 3 shut out innings for the Kansas City A's against the Boston Red Sox thus becoming the oldest pitcher to ever pitch in an official game in the major leagues. Drake and other Negro Leaguers were specially invited to attend the game whereupon Drake obtained this baseball. The Official Joe Cronin baseball is signed and inscribed by Drake (a 10) and other ballplayers including Gabby Hartnett (a 6) who was a coach for the A's in 1965. Drake also wrote the teams he played on and dated the ball "Sept 25 1955" on separate panels. Lot also includes game used barnstorming baseballs given to Holway by Drake from barnstorming games in the Midwest during the 1930's. Games scores inscribed by Drake. A notarized statement of provenance from Mr. Holway accompanies and can be read in its entirety online. LOA from PSA/DNA.