Baseball commemorating the first NCAA College World Series held at Hyames Field on the campus of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1947. The finals of the 1947 College World Series matched the University of California, featuring future Major League star Jackie Jensen, against Yale University, featuring future United States President George H. W. Bush. This ball, which presumably was a game ball, originates from Jensen's personal collection and has been signed in blue ink by seven individuals, five of whom were members of the Yale team: Red Mathews, Phil Kemp, Frank Quinn, Norm Felske, and James Blacnaro. One of the two other signatures appears to read "Jimmie O'Brien" and the other is illegible. The signatures average 5/10 in grade. The printing on a side panel reads "NCAA - World Series/Kalamazoo/Mich./1947/US/Yale vs. California." Cal defeated Yale two games to none in the best of three finals to capture the first NCAA World Series Baseball title. The Official National League (Frick) baseball, which dates to the 1944-46 manufacturing period, remains in Very Good to Excellent condition. 

The Jackie Jensen Collection

This is one of fifteen lots in the auction originating from Jackie Jensen's personal collection. All have been consigned directly by a family member and have never before been offered for sale, either publicly or privately. Jackie Jensen was one of the greatest athletes of of his day and was an All-American standout on both the baseball diamond and gridiron at the University of California. While at Cal, he helped lead the baseball team to the championship of the first NCAA College Baseball World Series in 1947. The following year he became the first Cal player to rush for over 1,000 yards and helped lead the football team to a 10-0 record and a share of the Pac-Ten title. He also finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting at season's end. Jensen left college after his junior year to play professional baseball. He began his career with the New York Yankees, and was a member of both the 1950 and 1951 World Championship teams. Unfortunately, his playing time was limited with the Yankees and it wasn't until he was traded to the Washington Senators in 1952 that he began to develop into one of the game's top outfielders. His best years came with the Boston Red Sox from 1954-1959, where he teamed with Ted Williams and Jimmy Piersall to form the best outfield trio of the decade. During that six-year span he was one of baseball's best all-around outfielders, leading the American League in RBI on three separate occasions. His finest season came in 1958, when he batted .286 with 35 home runs and a league-leading 122 RBI, numbers that earned him the American League MVP Award. (Jensen's MVP Award is being offered in this sale.) Jensen retired after the 1961 season with 199 home runs, 929 RBI, and a .279 lifetime average.

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