|
It was a lean year for the New York Yankees in 1942 as the team only won 103 games against 51 loses and the American League crown. For the Yankees of the Forties and Fifties, anything less than a World Series title was a lean year. This team was packed with Hall of Fame talent but lost to the St. Louis Cardinals, 4-1, in the Fall Classic. Presented are two multi-signed relics including a team ball with twenty-two signatures. The first artifact is an official Wilson baseball in (7) condition with DiMaggio (SS, 5). The adjoining panels include Gordon, Henrich, Branch, Keller, Painter, Donald, Kearse, Lindell, Rolfe, Gomez, Schulte, Chandler, Stainback, Hemsley, Borowy, Russo, Hassett, Rizzuto, Priddy and Bonham. The signatures are legible and consistent, grading (3-6) with the rare signatures of trainer Doc Painter (4) and Ernie Tiny Bonham (d.1949, 4) drawing considerable attention. The second sphere is a Collette ball with the preprinted Yankees vs. Rugmakers, 1942 on the sweet spot. The twenty signatures include a faded DiMaggio on the reverse sweet spot along with notables Gomez, Bonham, Rolfe, Gordon and Rizzuto present. The signatures on this ball are in off-grade, rating (2-5) but most are legible. This is a fine pairing of New York Yankees team balls from a year when the team won the junior circuit crown. COA from James Spence Authentications.
|
