These two Reach Official League balls contain the signature of the wartime 1943 Philadelphia Athletics. While not exactly stocked with household names, Connie Mack did manage to keep baseball going on the home front with his team of youngsters, over the hill veterans and 4-F draft exempt players.
The first ball has been signed by 20 players including Hall of Famers Connie Mack with JoJo White, Bill Burg, Tony Parisse, Felix Mackiewicz, Franklin Skiff, Charlie “Major” Bowles, Jesse Flores, Everett Fagan, Ed Busch, Woody Wheaton, Ted Abernathy, Lum Harris, George Staller, Carl Scheib, Don Black, Pete Suder, Hal Wagner, Joe Rullo and coach Dave Keefe. The signatures are in black fountain pen and are very well preserved, Mack’s being the largest and strongest one, placed nicely on the sweet spot.
The second ball contains another bold Connie Mack on the sweet spot with the same combination of players with the addition of Jimmie Ripple. The black fountain pen signatures are bold against the lightly toned surface of the ball. Two very well-preserved team balls from the 1943 A’s.
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA. Sourced from the estate of a former MLB player whose identity will remain anonymous.