This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/21/2017
The Dodgers supplied no less than seven players to the All-Star that summer and rookie Don Newcombe won 17 games and was named Rookie of the Year. Jackie Robinson, who had an off-year in ’48, came back with an MVP season by leading the NL in both hitting with a .342 average and steals with 37 swipes. ’49 was Duke Snider’s breakthrough season as all the pieces came together to form the core group that would dominate the National League for the next decade. As far as signed team balls, it's hard to ask for a nicer one than this.
Manager Burt Shotton is a clubhouse signature, but the remaining 26 Boys of Summer are all real. Hall of Famers Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella, Pee Wee Reese and Duke Snider have all signed, joined by their supporting cast of Gil Hodges, Don Newcombe, Preacher Roe, Carl Furillo Billy Cox, etc. How this talent-loaded team lost the World Series that fall is one of the great mysteries of the game. The signatures are in blue and black fountain pen and truly leap off the creamy white surface of this well-preserved Spalding Official National League (Ford C. Frick) ball. One of the nicest Brooklyn Dodgers team balls out there.
Full LOA from PSA/DNA (overall grade 7).