Presented is an Official National League Baseball (Frick) that has been signed by the entire four-man umpiring crew from the exciting 1936 New York City "Subway Series," won in six games by the New York Yankees over the New York Giants. The Yankees at that time played in Yankee Stadium I, only a short walk across the Harlem River from the Polo Grounds, home of the Giants. Thus, this World Series once again demonstrated how New York City, with its then three Major League teams, often became the center of the baseball universe. It was a high honor for an umpire to be chosen to call the World Series, and in '36, the Major Leagues had two separate umpiring staffs - one for each league. These are the umpires who signed the offered baseball: Cy Pfirman (NL), Harry Geisel (AL), George Magerkurth (NL), and Bill Summers (AL). The '36 World Series was the first Fall Classic for the Bronx Bombers without Babe Ruth, who had been sold to the Boston Braves in 1935 and retired halfway through the '35 season. The '36 Series was also the first for the Yankees' Joe DiMaggio. The Series was chock full of future Hall of Famers. The Yankees had manager Joe McCarthy, Bill Dickey, Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, Lefty Gomez, Tony Lazzeri, and Red Rolfe. The Giants Hall of Famers: Playing-manager Bill Terry, Carl Hubbell, Travis Jackson, and Mel Ott. 

The umpiring crew that signed the ball: Bill Summers - worked eight World Series, in 47 games, still the 4th most in MLB history. Summers also worked seven All-Star games, all behind the plate. His biggest moment of fame came in Game 1 of the 1955 World Series when he was umpiring at home plate. That was the season when the Brooklyn Dodgers won their first, and only, World Series. In the 8th inning of Game 1, Jackie Robinson attempted a straight steal of home. Yogi Berra was catching for the Yankees, and he caught the pitch and dove for Robinson's leg at the front of the plate. Ever afterwards, Yogi swore that he tagged Robinson out but Bill Summers ruled that Robinson was safe at home; controversy over the call continues. Cy Pfirman - Charles "Cy" Pfirman was a National League ump from 1922-36. He umpired three World Series and once was an umpire for 1,710 consecutive games. Pfirman was the home plate ump in the 1934 All-Star Game when Carl Hubbell struck out, in succession: Ruth, Gehrig, Foxx, Simmons, and Cronin. Harry Geisel - American League umpire for 18 seasons. He worked three World Series and a pair of All-Star Games. He was one of the umpires in the 1934 World Series game in Detroit when home team fans threw vegetables and bottles at St. Louis outfielder Ducky Medwick, who had slid hard against a Detroit Tiger; George Magerkurth - National League umpire for 19 seasons. At 6'3" and eventually up to 240 pounds, he used his size, aggressiveness and loud voice to command authority. He once engaged in a fist fight on the field with player Billy Jerges. Magerkurth worked four World Series and two All-Star games. 

None of the four umpires signed the sweet spot. Magerkurth signed right over the "Official National League" stamp, and the other umpires signed on side panels. The passage of time has made the signatures, scripted in blue or black ink, sometimes faint in spots of the signatures, but still clearly legible. The ball appears to have a very thin coat of shellac or similar substance on it. The ball is in very good condition, and it comes with a PSA LOA for the signatures.

Estimated domestic USA shipping cost only. Does not include handling or insurance: 19.09 Please feel free to contact us for a more accurate shipping cost.