This lot includes three different multi-signed baseballs, all with worthy names attached! The first is an official American League (Cronin) baseball signed by 18 players and one broadcaster at the 1971 MLB All-Star Game at Tiger Stadium in Detroit. Although the ink black signatures have faded over time, they are all legible and rate 6/10. Across the sweet spot can be found N.L. Manager George “Sparky” Anderson, while other notable names include Pee Wee Reese, Lefty Gomez, Norm Cash, Ray Fosse and Tony Kubek. The scrawl of broadcaster Curt Gowdy also graces this baseball. The second ball, an official American League (Brown) baseball, features 19 signatures in bold, blue ink on it from the 1984 World Series Champion Detroit Tigers. Featured across the sweet spot is Manager Sparky Anderson, while other notable autographs include World Series MVP Alan Trammel, Kirk Gibson (Clubhouse), Jack Morris, Lou Whitaker, Chet Lemon, Larry Herndon and Dan Petry. Signatures rate 8-9/10. The third and final ball, a “Worth” branded official League baseball, features a dozen signatures of various inks from all-time Tiger greats. Notable names include Alan Trammel, Kirk Gibson, Jack Morris, Lance Parrish, Lou Whitaker, Lynn Jones, Dan Petry, Glenn Wilson, Milt Wilcox and Dave Rozema. Some of the signatures of the light-blue variety show mild bleeding into the ball.
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA. The Kirk Gibson autograph on the 1984 World Series ball has been deemed "clubhouse" signed.
Includes Letter of Provenance from collector Bruce Tennen.
Bruce Tennen grew up in Detroit and has been a loyal Tigers fan for over 50 years. He began attending games at Tiger Stadium in the early 1960’s with his father and grandfather — longtime season ticket holders — and would typically don the full uniform (pictured with his dad and sister in 1968 Tigers yearbook taking photo of pitcher Pat Dobson). Bruce has attended every Tigers home playoff series since 1968 and has been fortunate enough to build relationships with dozens of players. His passion for Tigers baseball and sports eventually lead him to pursue a career in the industry, covering Arizona sports teams for the AP in the late 70’s and working in the front office for the San Diego Clippers in the early 80’s while moonlighting as a law student. He would later move on to a successful career in mortgage banking, arranging credit and acquisition funding for numerous Pistons players, executives and broadcasters. There may not be a bigger supporter of Detroit sports teams than Bruce Tennen.