The 1950 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 17th playing of the Midsummer Classic between the American League and National League. The game was held on July 11, 1950, at Comiskey Park, and resulted in the National League defeating the American League 4-3 in 14 innings. It was the first All-Star Game to go into extra innings. Commemorating the 1950 American League All-Stars is this OAL (Harridge) ball (EX-MT) with 26 signatures including Ted Williams (clubhouse), Joe DiMaggio and Connie Mack on sweet spot, Hoot Evers, Ted Gray, George Kell, Casey Michaels, Ferris Fain, Bob Lemon, Bob Feller, Jim Hegan, Walt Dropo, Dom DiMaggio, Phil Rizzuto, Sherm Lollar, Jerry Coleman, Larry Doby, Vern Stephens, Ray Scarborough, Bobby Doerr, Tom Henrich, Yogi Berra, and more. Signatures average 7.5/10 with the Mack and Williams 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.