The 1957 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 24th playing of the midseason exhibition between the stars of the American League and National League. The game was held on July 9, 1957, at Busch Stadium and resulted in the American League defeating the National League, 6-5. To commemorate that remarkable game is this OAL Harridge ball (NRMT-MT) with 28 signatures including Minnie Miñoso, Nelson Fox, Mickey Mantle, Jim Turner, Harvey Kuenn, George Kell, Bill Skowron, Ted Williams, Casey Stengel, Bill Pierce, Billy Loes, Roy Sievers, Bobby Shantz, Bob Grim, Vic Wertz, Early Wynn, Jim Bunning, Al Kaline, Charlie Maxwell, Frank Malone, Gus Triandos, Elston Howard, Bobby Richardson, Joe DeMaestri, Don Mossi, Frank Crosetti and others. Signatures are superb and rate 8-9/10. One of the nicest 1957 All-Star balls we've ever handled.

Ed Rommel had the unusual distinction of being a top-flight Major League pitcher, for the Philadelphia A’s (1920-1932), and then becoming a successful American League umpire (1938-1959). What a baseball life! What a great situation for him as a collector! Rommel, regarded as the father of the modern knuckleball, won 171 games, twice led the American League in wins, and pitched in a World Series. As an umpire, he took part in two World series, becoming only the third man to both play and umpire in the World Series. In between his long stints as a Big League pitcher and umpire, Rommel spent several years as a major league coach, a season as a minor league manager, and two years as a minor league umpire. Thus, Rommel was around baseball almost continually for forty years, and his long playing and umpiring careers gave him tremendous access to players and managers. As a collector, Rommel knew baseball personages from the early days of baseball through players who debuted in the 1950s and played into the 1970s. Thus, Rommel’s likeable personality and baseball connections meant that he could obtain practically any autograph or photo he desired. Thus, from Cobb and Hornsby and Home Run Baker; from Connie Mack, Ruth, Gehrig, and Foxx; from Mantle, Ted Williams, and Jackie Robinson, Ed Rommel obtained great autographs on baseballs and photos from players and managers who were only too happy to oblige their friend. A wonderful, unique find.