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Lot # 27: Five Ted Williams Vintage Single-Signed Baseballs

Starting Bid: $500.00

Bids: 12 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "2019 Spring Classic",
which ran from 5/7/2019 10:00 AM to
6/7/2019 10:00 PM



Nice grouping of Ted Williams vintage signed baseballs. Williams single-signed balls from his playing days are quite rare and here are five! Collection includes: 1) Signed OAL (Harridge) ball (Ex w/shellac), "To Ed Rommel, Best Wishes To One Of The Best. Ted Williams" 8/10 circa 1947. 2) Signed OAL (Harridge) ball (NRMT), "To Eddie Good Luck - Ted Williams" 7/10, with original Reach bag circa 1954. 3) OAL (Cronin) balls (3 - VG-EX) are all signed on the sweet spots in 7.5-8/10 blue pen circa 1960.

 

Ed Rommel had the unusual distinction of being a top-flight Major League pitcher, for the Philadelphia A’s (1920-1932), and then becoming a successful American League umpire (1938-1959). What a baseball life! What a great situation for him as a collector! Rommel, regarded as the father of the modern knuckleball, won 171 games, twice led the American League in wins, and pitched in a World Series. As an umpire, he took part in two World series, becoming only the third man to both play and umpire in the World Series. In between his long stints as a Big League pitcher and umpire, Rommel spent several years as a major league coach, a season as a minor league manager, and two years as a minor league umpire. Thus, Rommel was around baseball almost continually for forty years, and his long playing and umpiring careers gave him tremendous access to players and managers. As a collector, Rommel knew baseball personages from the early days of baseball through players who debuted in the 1950s and played into the 1970s. Thus, Rommel’s likeable personality and baseball connections meant that he could obtain practically any autograph or photo he desired. Thus, from Cobb and Hornsby and Home Run Baker; from Connie Mack, Ruth, Gehrig, and Foxx; from Mantle, Ted Williams, and Jackie Robinson, Ed Rommel obtained great autographs on baseballs and photos from players and managers who were only too happy to oblige their friend. A wonderful, unique find.

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