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Lot # 722: Circa 1950 Johnny Antonelli Boston Braves Game Used Hat

Category: Baseball Equipment

Starting Bid: $400.00

Bids: 4 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "2023 Spring Classic",
which ran from 4/2/2023 7:00 PM to
4/22/2023 10:00 PM



Displayed is a circa 1950 Johnny Antonelli Boston Braves game worn hat. Antonelli was a "Bonus Baby" who was a left-handed pitcher with the Boston Braves from 1948-50. After that, Antonelli spent two years in military service, and the Braves moved to Milwaukee in 1953 and Antonelli, out of the military, resumed his Major League career. Because of the size of Antonelli's signing bonus, he was required to be on the Major League roster of the organization that signed him for a period of two years, or another team could claim him. So Antonelli, only 18 years old in 1948, pitched only 4.0 innings in '48, going 0-0 with a 2.25 ERA. In '49, he threw 96.0 innings, with a 3-7 record and a 3.56 ERA. In his final season as a Boston Brave, he pitched 57.2 innings in 1950, with a 5.93 ERA. The Boston Braves moved to Milwaukee for the 1953 season and Antonelli, now out of the military, rejoined them. Antonelli joined the New York Giants in 1954 and went 21-7 with a National League leading 2.30 ERA. In the '54 World Series against the Cleveland Indians, Johnny went 1-0, with a save. Plagued by injuries, Antonelli only pitched to age 30 in the Major Leagues, and his lifetime record, mainly for the New York/San Francisco Giants and the Braves, was 126-110, with a 3.34 ERA. The two-color hat is blue, with a red bill. A white "B" is on the front, and a red "button" is on the top. There is no tag in the head band. "34" is stamped on the underside of the brim. The hat is a small size, possibly a size 7. The cap exhibits some lightening of color, particularly in the red. The hat band shows good use, with sweat stains, possible dirt stains, and some residue, which could be glue. After 13 seasons in Milwaukee, the Braves franchise moved to Atlanta, still the team's home today. The Antonelli Braves' hat goes back to the day when most Major League cities had at least two teams, with New York City having three clubs. The hat is in very good condition. It's a great vintage cap that goes back for almost three quarters of a century.

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