Opening Day Auction Closing May 9th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/10/2015
Nothing about Roy Campanella was small - from 1949 through 1955 he hands-down the best backstop in the National League. He won the National League MVP an unbelievable three times and expertly handled the Brooklyn pitching staff that won 5 pennants and one World Championship. Along with Jackie Robinson, Campanella was a pioneer in race relations proving that a white pitcher would allow a black catcher to call a game. And then, just like that, Campy's career was over. A devastating car crash after the 1957 season almost took his life and left him paralyzed and wheel chair bound. Because of this terrible tragedy, any "pre-accident" single signed Campanella baseballs are very scarce - yet this one has got to be unique - a half-size Spalding Official National League baseball bearing the big catchers signature! Campy has signed the side panel in black steel tip fountain pen adding the salutation "Best Wishes". The ball has a light coat of shellac with slight age toning and the signature grades in the 8/10 range. A very unique single signed ball from the Dodgers' beloved Hall of Fame catcher. Letter of Authenticity from JSA.