This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/8/2018
Aside from his single game record of twelve RBIs and his 1928 N.L. MVP season, Jim Bottomley was admired for his quirky and likable demeanor which set him apart and is wonderfully captured in this touching excerpt from his 1959 New York Times obituary: "He wore his baseball cap at a jaunty angle and his mannerisms on the playing field made him a Ladies' Day favorite. But he was equally the favorite of the male fans for his slugging prowess."
Presented here is a four-page fold-over contract, dated March 18, 1926, between "Sunny Jim" Bottomley and the St. Louis National Baseball Club. The contract is signed in black fountain pen by both "James T. Bottomley" (9/10) and "Branch Rickey" (9/10), then vice president of the Cardinals. A stamped facsimile signature of National League president John Heydler appears on the reverse. The one-year contract for the 1926 season calls for Bottomley to receive a salary of $7,500. Turn out the Cardinals got a nice return on that investment as their catcher would lead the league that year in RBI (120), doubles (40), and total bases (305) while posting a solid .299 average on their way to a World Series title. Two years later Bottomley would help lead the Cardinals to another World Series title as the National League MVP.
The contract has a few small tears at the ends of the fold lines, but presents as EX condition. Full LOA from PSA/DNA.