This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2016
In 1954, at the age of 17, Van Nuys (Calif.) High School senior pitcher Don Drysdale was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers and was assigned to the Bakersfield Indians, the Dodgers' Class C minor league affiliate. He got a $4,000 bonus and a salary of $600 a month. In 14 starts, Drysdale went 8-5 with a 3.46 ERA, 11 complete games and 73 strikeouts in his first season of professional baseball. Not bad for a kid barely old enough to drive. This lot features an actual game-used baseball from young Don's professional debut game, an 8-4 victory over the Salinas Packers. The heavily toned, 62-year-old baseball is inscribed in ink on the south panel with the following text: “1st Professional Ballgame Bakersfield 8 Salinas 4.” A special piece from the beginning of Don's Hall of Fame career, this is a must-have for Dodger collectors!
Includes LOA from the Drysdale Family.