October Legends and Americana Ending November 14th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2015
No ballplayer, not even Babe Ruth, has more stories told about them than Satchel Paige. In a career that began in the Negro Leagues in 1924 and lasted all the way into the 1960's, Paige claimed to have pitched 3,000 games and won 2,000 of them. While that may be a stretch, Paige did pitch year-round for at least 25 years. Besides playing in practically every ball park in the United States and Canada, Paige thrilled fans in Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and many other countries. By 1942 he was the highest paid ball player in the world, black or white. In his prime Paige was regarded as the fastest and most talented pitcher alive. No less than Joe DiMaggio recalled that he was unsure he was ready for the majors until the day he managed to get a hit of Satchel Paige. Although he spent the bulk of his years in the Negro Leagues, Paige did finally make the majors in 1948. Well into his forties, Paige went 6-1 with a 2.48 ERA to help Cleveland win the pennant. Paige pitched parts of 4 more years in the majors and then toured around the country, a legend in his own lifetime. This 1980-1982 Feeney Official National League Rawlings ball was signed sometime before the old pitcher passed away in 1982. The Hall of Famer has signed one of the ball's panels "From Satchel Paige" adding two under strokes as if to reinforce his unique place in baseball history. The ball has some toning from age and Paige's black ball point signature has slightly faded, rating a 9/10. A choose single-signed ball from the man who became a legend in his own time. Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA.