Autographed Balls

By the mid-20th century, fans were fixated on getting autographs from players, who for the most part, were happy to sign balls, photos, scorecards, etc. The autographs of that era have little in common with the illegible signatures of today — while few players back then attended college, most learned the art of handwriting in grammar school. For collectors today, there's no better place to find tough signatures from the mid-20th century than on an autographed baseball.

The first ball pictured here is signed in fountain pen by the 1939 Cleveland Indians. I traded a coin collection for it when I was 14. The team was a good one, led by Hall of Famers Bob Feller and Lou Boudreau. Other signatures include those of ace pitcher Mel Harder, slugging first baseman Hal Trosky, and slick-fielding third baseman Ken Keltner, whose glove is credited with ended Joe Dimaggio's 56-game hitting streak in 1941.

This ball, which was signed by the 1940 Boston Bees, is a little faded, but you can make out the signatures on two of the panels. The autographs include a number of notable players, including second baseman Tony Cuccinello — who started at second base for the National League in the first All-Star Game in 1933 — pitcher Lou Fette, who was one of the league's best before he hurt his arm, catcher Al Lopez, who went onto become a Hall of Fame manager, and shortstop Eddie Miller, who was said by some to be the best defensive player his era. Other notables include Max West, Phil Masi and Sibbi Sisti.

This baseball was signed by the 1948 Chicago White Sox, who were managed by former South Side pitching legend Ted Lyons. Other notables include Hall of Fame shortstop Luke Appling, and coaches Red Faber and Bing Miller. Faber, like Lyons, was a Hall of Fame pitcher for the White Sox, while Miller was key player for the 1929-30 champion Philadephia Athletics.

This ball signed by the 1951 St. Louis Cardinals. The Redbirds were managed by slick-fielding shortstop Marty Marion — who signed the sweet spot — and included three future Hall of Famers in their lineup, Stan Musial, Enos Slaughter and Red Schoedienst.

Here is a ball signed by the 1954 Hollywood Stars of the Pacific Coast League, which were a Pittsburgh Pirates farm club. Besides featuring a bunch of players who later joined the Pirates, there's a rare signature by pitcher Lino Donoso, who played for the Negro League champion New York Cubans in 1946 — along with fellow Cuban, Minnie Minoso.

This one is signed by the 1955 Cleveland Indians, whose roster included Hall of Famers Bob Feller, Bob Lemon, Early Wynn, Larry Doby and Ralph Kiner, along with manager Al Lopez. Also signing the ball were three Negro League veterens who played briefly for the Tribe, Harry Simpson, Dave Hoskins and Dave Pope.

Here is a ball signed by the 1956 Rochester Red Wings, a longtime affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals that played in the International League. Dixie Walker managed the team, which included a few past and future major leaguers, including Eddie Kasko, who started at shortstop for the pennant-winning 1961 Reds.

This ball is signed by the 1959 San Diego Padres, which were a farm club for the Cleveland Indians. The autographs include manager George "Catfish" Metkovich, fungo legend and coach Jimmie Reese, one-time Cubs first baseman Dee Fondy and Hall of Fame outfielder Larry Doby.

Here's a ball signed by the 1961 Cleveland Indians, who were managed by Jimmy Dykes. His coaching staff included Hall of Fame shortstop Joe Sewell — the toughest player to strike out in baseball history — and Hall of Famer Luke Appling, the greatest White Sox shortstop ever. The team's pitching staff including an ace on his way out, Johnny Antonelli, and a pair of aces on their way up, Jim Perry and Sam McDowell. Also represented is colorful outfielder Jimmy Piersall.

This ball is signed by the 1968 California Angels, who were managed by Bill Rigney, whose staff included pitching coach and Hall of Famer Bob Lemon. The Angels who didn't have much of a team, were led by Rick Reichardt, Bobby Knoop and Bob Rodgers, and bullpen ace, Minnie Rojas, whose career would soon be ended by a tragic car accident.

Here is a ball signed by the 1976 Detroit Tigers, which were best remembered for Mark Fidrych. I spent part of that summer in Michigan, where "The Bird was the Word." For one marvelous season, Fidrych dazzled fans with his talent and his wacky personality. As luck would have it, my dad carpooled to work with a guy named Tom Meyer, whose son, Dan Meyer, played first base for the Tigers. Dan gave me this ball when the Tigers visited the Angels. Also included here are outfielders Willie Horton and Mickey Stanley from the Tigers' 1968 championship team, ace reliever John Hiller, and a couple sluggers on their way up, Ben Oglivie and Jason Thompson.

Here's a ball that presumably came from a New York Yankees old-timers' game in the 1950s. I suppose there could be a couple clubhouse signatures here. The autographs include Joe Dimaggio on the sweet spot, along with Frank "Home Run" Baker, Zack Wheat, Bill Dickey, Waite Hoyt, Lefty Gomez, Allie Reynolds, Vic Raschi, Phil Rizzuto, Bob Shawkey, Eddie Lopat, Johnny Mize, Earle Combs and others.

This ball comes from Cuba, where Cienfeugos won the 1955-56 winter league championship. Managed by Cuban Hall of Famer Oscar Rodriguez, the team had a bunch of guys who played in the majors, including infielder Curt Roberts, catcher Ray Noble, pitchers Sandy Consuegra, Camilo Pasqual, Pedro Ramos, Gene Bearden, Seth Morehead and Marino Pieretti, shortstop Chico Fernandez and outfielders Bob Boyd and Archie Wilson. Roberts, Noble and Boyd played in the Negro Leagues, the former being the first African-American player to play for the Pirates. In '56, a Cuban team led by Rodriguez and Noble won the Caribbean World Series, with the latter winning series MVP. Bearden won 20 games for the World Series-winning 1948 Indians, while Pasqual became an all-star with the Senators and Twins.

This ball is signed by the 1951 Cincinnati Reds, whose roster included Ted Kluszewski, Ewell Blackwell, Joe Adcock and a rookie Roy McMillan. The team was managed by former catcher Luke Sewell, and his coaching staff included one-time second baseman Tony Cuccinello.

This ball is signed by the 1955 Cincinnati Reds, whose roster included Ted Kluszewski, Johnny Temple, Ed Bailey and Smokey Burgess. Also included are a trio of former Negro League players — George Crowe, Bob Thurman and Joe Taylor — as well as Gabe Paul, the team's general manager.

This ball is signed by the 1968 Cincinnati Reds. Included here are Johnny Bench — this was his rookie year — Pete Rose, Tony Perez, Lee May, Jim Maloney, Joe Nuxhall, Tommy Helms and many others.

This ball is signed by the 1955 Cleveland Indians, whose roster included Hall of Famers Bob Feller, Larry Doby, Early Wynn, Bob Lemon and Ralph Kiner, along with manager Al Lopez. Also signing the ball were three National League veterans, Harry"Suitcase" Simpson, Dave Pope and Dave Hoskins.