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Lot # 1025: 1914 New York Giants Protest Letter (Secretarial McGraw Signature) w/Honus Wagner Content

Starting Bid: $100.00

Bids: 10 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Spring Classic 2022",
which ran from 5/20/2022 7:00 PM to
6/11/2022 10:00 PM



One-page typed letter, dated July 28, 1914, from the New York Giants to National League president John Tener, regarding a protest made by the Pittsburgh Pirates in a game played on July 17th at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. The letter references an unusual incident regarding Pirates shortstop Honus Wagner. In a play that was described at length in the July 18th issue of "The New York Times," Wagner was running to third when an errant throw wound up in the crook of his arm. Instead of letting the ball drop, he continued to run home with the concealed ball still under his arm as the Giants players frantically searched for it. When the umpire finally realized what happened, he called Wagner out for interference. The Pirates protested the call, and in this letter, the Giants state the facts of the case to Tener. The play in question occurred in the sixth inning and the negated run was important because the game remained tied 1-1 after nine innings. The Giants eventually won the game in 21 innings, making it one of the longest Major League games on record. Incredibly, both starting pitchers, Babe Adams for the Pirates and Rube Marquard for the Giants, went the distance. The letter (8.5x11"), which is written on "New York Base Ball Club" letterhead, is signed in black ink by "John J. McGraw," but PSA has deemed the signature to be a secretarial example. In Excellent condition overall, with two horizontal mailing folds. Accompanied by a copy of the July 18th "New York Times" article regarding the incident. 

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