Presented here is a high-grade 1939 Cleveland Indians team signed baseball from the personal collection of the club's rather controversial manager during that era, Ossie Vitt. The Indians went 86-for a third place finish in the A.L. pennant race for the second straight season under Vitt, whose incredibly successful run as minor league manager of the PCL's Hollywood Stars and Oakland Oaks as well as the Newark Bears had earned him the MLB gig. Yet many veteran players were getting tired of his hard-nosed approach. "I don't want any lazy players
on my club," said the no-nonsense skipper upon being hired in '38. "If the boys won't hustle,
out they go." The 1940 Indians became notoriously known as the "Cleveland
Crybabies" thanks to local newspaper headlines that painted a picture of whiny players who wouldn't play for their manager.
Hall of Famers Bob Feller and Lou Boudreau are the highlights of this nearly flawless OAL (Harridge) ball signed by a total of 27. Others include Hal Trosky, Ken Keltner, Jeff Heath, Bruce Campbell, Ben Chapman, Johnny Allen (SS), Johnny Broaca, Mel Harder, Al Milnar, Rollie Hemsley (SS), Odell Hale, Harry Eisenstat, Floyd Stromme, Joe Dobson, Ray Mack, Oscar Grimes, Frank Pytak, Willis Hudlin, Mike Naymick, Roy Weatherly, Luke Sewell, Oscar "Ski" Melillo (coach), Lefty Weisman (trainer) and Vitt. The autographs are done in 8-9/10 black ink.
The included 1938 Cleveland Indians 8x10 original team photograph (VG-EX condition with a puncture on the left) has most of the same members of the '39 club. There is a black 1938 copyright stamp with the team photographer's name on the front, and another more traditional looking stamp on the reverse.
Full LOA from PSA/DNA for the ball, graded 8.5 overall (autograph 8; baseball 8; eye appeal +.5). Includes LOA from Vitt's grandson.