October Legends Closing November 1
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/2/2014
Some teams and seasons in sports are magical, and have become even more so over the passing years. One such team is the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers; perennial also ran for most of their history. When the Dodgers of the 1940's-50's became the best National League franchise, they ran into the cross-town New York Yankees in each one of their five World Series appearances that is, up until 1955. This magical Dodgers season witnessed the slaying of the Yankee dragon, and winning their first ever World Series title! This ball was used during that series, and the patience of the young Dodgers fan (is there any other type of Dodger fan?) was rewarded when he garnered these 35 signatures of members of both teams. The blue ink signatures (“6-8”) includes Casey Stengel and Jake Pitler (sweet spot), Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Roy Campanella, Billy Herman, Don Zimmer (2x), George Shuba, Don Newcombe, Ed Robinson (2x), Don Larsen, Carl Furillo, Jim Gilliam, Rube Walker, Andy Carey, Bob Turley, Rip Coleman, Tom Sturdivant, Rip Coleman, John Kucks, Charlie Silvera, Tom Carroll, Chuck Templeton, Bob Wiesler, Frank Leja, John Blanchard, Hank Bauer, Robert Cerv, Roger Craig, Ed Roebuck, Frank Kellert plus Walt Alston and Gil Hodges on the very lightened OAL Harridge label. The ball was originally purchased privately from Leland’s in the 1990's, and then auctioned by Leland’s in 1999, where it was purchased by our consignor. The ball has evidence of nice game use with a scrape or two, none which significantly affect any of the bold, blue ink signatures. It is not often a team and the World Series is as well revered almost 60 years past its historic moments, but posterity has not let us forget Sandy Amoros’ catch, Duke Snider’s FOUR Series home runs or Johnny Podres’ fabulous Game 7 complete game shutout. This ball is Dodger history; check that…it is baseball history. Full LOA from PSA/DNA.