Right out of the 1950s comes these two beautifully signed 1954 and 1957 Boston Red Sox team-signed balls. Both balls are Official American League (Harridge) balls that are NRMT-MT condition. The 1954 Red Sox signed ball features 31 signatures including Ted Williams (SS), Lou Boudreau (SS), Sam White, Bill Gardner, (Hal) Skinny Brown, Tom Hurd, Sam Mele, Mel Parnell, George Susce, Harry Agganis, Ted Lepcio, Jim Piersall, Chas Maxwell, Don Lenhardt, Sid Hudson, Milt Bolling and more. Signatures rate 8/10. The 1957 Red Sox signed ball features 29 signatures including Mike Higgins (SS), Ted Williams (SS), Pete Runnels, Tom Brewer, Lou Boudreau, Jim Piersall, Bill Renna, Dave Sisler, Ted Lepcio and more. Signatures rate 8-9/10.

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.