The Cincinnati Reds were the repeat winners of the National League pennant in 1940 and faced the Detroit Tigers in the World Series. The Reds had the edge in pitching with 20 game winners Bucky Walters and Paul Derringer while Detroit countered with three Hall of Fame bats: Hank Greenberg, Earl Averill and Charlie Gehringer. The series went the full seven games with Cincinnati prevailing. Much of the Reds victory could be accorded to their deep bench, off which Jimmie Ripple and Jimmy Wilson became the series heroes.
25 members of the World Champion Reds signed the Goldsmith ball including Paul Derringer, Bucky Walters, Bill Myers (clubhouse), Morris Arnovich, Jimmy Wilson (clubhouse), Johnny Hutchings, Mike McCormick, Dick West, Lew Riggs, Bill Werber, Harry Craft, Lonnie Frey, Jim Turner, Ival Goodman, Gene Thompson, Lefty Guise (clubhouse), Joe Beggs, Whitey Moore (clubhouse), Milt Shoffner (clubhouse), Elmer Riddle, Bill Baker, Frank McCormick (clubhouse), Jimmie Ripple, manager Bill McKechnie (clubhouse) and coach Hank Gowdy (clubhouse). The ball shows light toning from a coat of shellack and is stored in a period Spalding ball box.
28 members of the AL champion Detroit Tigers have signed a Reach Official American League ball including Hall of Famers Hank Greenberg, Hal Newhouser, Charlie Gehringer and Earl Averill plus Schoolboy Rowe, Buck Newsom, Al Benton, Fred Hutchinson, Birdie Tebbetts, Rudy York, Pete Fox, Dick Bartell, Dutch Meyer, Archie McKain, Tuck Stainback, Paul “Dizzy” Trout, Pinky Higgins, Barney McCosky, Johnny Gorsica, Clay Smith, Billy Sullivan, Tom Seats, Frank Croucher, Bruce Campbell, manager Del Baker and coaches Red Kress, Merv Shea and Bing Miller. The black fountain pen signatures have been well preserved stored in a period Spalding ball box.
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA. Sourced from the estate of a former MLB player whose identity will remain anonymous.