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Lot # 1295: Highly Important 1919 World Series Game 1 Baseball Signed by Pat Moran

Category: Baseball Equipment

Starting Bid: $5,000.00

Bids: 0 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed

Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Future Auctions",
which ran from 7/6/2024 12:00 AM to
7/14/2024 12:00 AM



FAILED PSA

 

Stunningly bright baseball from a dark chapter in the sport's history in this 1919 World Series Game 1 ball signed by Cincinnati Reds manager Pat Moran. Given away by Moran on October 1, starting the infamous series that would result in a tarnished Reds' championship as a result of the notorious Chicago "Black Sox" scandal. Official National League (Heydler) ball is amazingly near-white with mild use exhibited and has nice, clear labeling, though the Heydler stamp is slightly faded. On the ball, in period ink and writing, is "Oct. 1 1919 Cincinnati Reds World Series" on one panel; on another panel, in the hand of Pat Moran is, "Given to Harry C. Hagen (last name unclear but named in the included Letter of Provenance) by Pat Moran Mgr." With the series starting at Cincy's Redland Field, Chicago White Sox starter Eddie Cicotte hit Reds' leadoff hitter Morrie Rath with the second pitch of the inning, an agreed-upon signal between Cicotte and the gangsters with which he was in contact that the fix was indeed on; Cincinnati went on to a 9-1 victory in that opener and ended up clinching the best-of-9 series by a 5-3 margin. Timeless artifact from a turning point in professional baseball history, immortalized by the book and subsequent film, "Eight Men Out," and remains one of fewer than five known in existence dating from that incredible series.

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