Rare team ball commemorating the Cleveland Buckeyes' 1945 Negro League World Championship. The Harwood "Official League" baseball bears the inscription "Cleveland Buckeye's World's Champs 1945" on a side panel. Two additional side panels and the sweet spot bear the printed names of the following eighteen team members (the names as written on the ball contain misspellings; the correct spellings are noted in parentheses): Frank Cardsutell, John Brown, Lovell Hardin (Harden), Duro Davis, Evelenio Canizares, Quincy Troope (Trouppe), Eugene Bremer, Johnny Cowan, Wilber Ayes, Stanelly Lee, Buddy Aumor (Armour) Earl Ashby, Samuel Jethro, Archie Ware, Parnell Woods, George Jefferson, Willie Jefferson, and Willie Grace. All the names and the inscription have been printed in blue fountain pen. The Cleveland Buckeyes were a member of the Negro American League from 1942 to 1950. During that time the club captured two league titles and in 1945 defeated the Homestead Grays in the Negro League World Series to claim their one and only World Championship. All items relating to Negro League teams are scarce, especially those commemorating a World Championship season. This is the only 1945 Cleveland Buckeyes team ball we have ever seen and, while pure speculation, its possible that such balls were presented only to team members, which would account for their rarity today. The ball is lightly toned and displays a few areas of dark discoloration. In Very Good condition overall.