This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/8/2018
To open the 1950 Texas League season, the owner of the Dallas Eagles, Dick Burnett, arranged for group of Cooperstown’s finest to come out of retirement, albeit very briefly, in the hopes of breaking the minor league attendance record (16,018). By moving the April 11th Opening Day game to the 70-000 capacity Cotton Bowl, the Texas oil magnate went way further than anyone could have imagined. 53,578 looked on as pre-war icons Frank "Home Run" Baker, Ty Cobb, Mickey Cochrane, Dizzy Dean, Charlie Gehringer, Travis Jackson, Tris Speaker and Duffy Lewis took the field wearing Dallas Eagles uniforms. Dean faced one Tulsa Oilers batter and walked him on a full count before staging an argument with the home plate umpire and leaving the field, the rest of the celebrity crew close behind.
This soiled and toned baseball is signed by each of the seven aforementioned baseball greats (Lewis is the only non-HOF member) who participated in this little known historical event. The blue ink autographs ranged 4-6/10 in strength and eye appeal. The manufacturer stampings are not legible, but it is most likely an official Texas League ball based on other examples of the same theme; apparently several balls were signed that day. The condition of the ball likens it to one that could have been used in the game, but we have no proof. Speaker has signed the sweet spot (4.5/10) while Cobb appears on the north panel (5.5/10).
Full LOA from PSA/DNA