Premier sports folk artist George Sosnak combined his terrific skills with a passion for baseball to make special items extraordinary. This ball is one of several available in this auction and is dedicated to the managerial career of Ralph Houk, who won World Series titles in his first two seasons - 1961 and '62 - at the helm of the New York Yankees. Signed on the side panel by Houk and enhanced by Sosnak to appear bold, the records from each of his 20 managerial seasons is present in typical immaculate detail, and in a nod to Houk's fiery style, the portrait portion depicts him in "discussion" with an umpire. Sosnak-painted balls are becoming harder to find over the years and truly must be seen up close to be fully appreciated.