Presented is an incredible exchange of letters: A two-page, typed letter, signed in fountain ink, from August Herrmann (on National Commission letterhead) to members of the 1916 Red Sox regarding a complaint against them for playing in an exhibition game after the season ended and the individual response in a letter, signed in fountain ink, from one of those Red Sox players, first baseman Richard "Dick" Hoblitzell. Herrman was the owner of the Cincinnati Reds and the Chairman of Baseball's Commission, the committee that ruled baseball before there was a commissioner. The Boston Red Sox won the 1916 World Series and some members of the Red Sox played in an exhibition baseball game on Oct. 16, 1916, after the World Series had concluded. The letter from Herrmann listed the players who allegedly violated baseball rules, and these players included Babe Ruth, listed by his formal name as George H. Ruth, and also included such star Red Sox players as shortstop Everett Scott, second baseman John "Jack" Barry, and outfielder George "Duffy" Lewis. The Commission's letter stated the participating players had violated Clause of the Boston contract, which states that "the player will not participate in any exhibition base ball, foot ball or basket ball games without written permission from their club." The Herrmann letter also referenced Section 3 of the National Agreement and Rule 9 of the National Commission as prohibiting such play. In Hoblitzell's handwritten three-and-a-half-page reply, the Red Sox first baseman argues that, "My contract with the Boston American League team expired Oct. 12, 1916 and I played the game Oct. 15, 1916." Hoblitzell also argues that there was inadequate notice of the rules to the ballplayers. He also reasons that by the time the ballplayers learned that the Baseball Commission objected to the game that it would have been too costly, unfair, and disruptive to all concerned to call off the game at the last minute. The two letters are from the Dick Hoblitzell Collection. The handwritten notes, in pencil on the first page of the Herrmann letter are from Dick Hoblitzell. Both letters exhibit folds from mailing, and also most likely from the Commission Letter being folded, at some point, into a small pocket. The two letters, each on 8.5x11" pages, show some fading and foxing, and the original ink, blue or black ink from a fountain pen, has faded on the Hoblitzell letter, but the handwriting is still easily legible. Both the Herrmann and Hoblitzell signatures remain clear. The two-letter offering provides an amazing behind-the-scenes look into the vintage Major League baseball of over a century ago. Comes with two PSA LOAs.