Historic Lou Gehrig 1939 Final All Star Game Team Signed Baseball With JSA COA

  As the 1939 season began, Lou Gehrig knew something was wrong. His swing had lost all its velocity and his once powerful legs felt as if he was running in sand. Once regarded as the most solid first baseman in the league, Gehrig now missed easy plays. Where he was once the team’s most valuable asset, he now found himself hindering its success. True to his selfless nature, Lou Gehrig took himself out of the line up on May 2, 1939, the first time in a 2130 game stretch that began in 1925.

     Within months, Gehrig was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a little-known, but terminal affliction. His decline would be fast, and as such, Major League Baseball and the Yankees quickly began preparations to honor the beloved Yankee. The first idea was to honor Gehrig at that year’s All-Star Game to be held at Yankee Stadium. However, this was eventually rejected in order to give him his own “day” on July 4, 1939. Gehrig was instead made honorary captain of the American League squad at the All-Star Game, which was the last time he appeared on field at Yankee Stadium, one week after his famous "I am the luckiest man on the face of the Earth" speech.

     Presented is a very rare 1939 All-Star Game team signed baseball. The game itself was a pitcher’s duel, with the AL’s Red Ruffing, Tommy Bridges and Bob Feller allowing just seven hits and Joe DiMaggio hit a solo home run off Chicago’s Bill Lee in the 5th inning. 29 All-Stars of both leagues have signed the Spalding Official League ball including Lou Gehrig. This is one of the only known 1939 all-star team signed baseball with Gehrig’s actual signature and not the clubhouse version often seen on other exemplars. 

     Other Hall of Famers that have signed this baseball include Joe Dimaggio, Red Ruffing, Joe Gordon, Lefty Gomez, Hank Greenberg, Luke Appling, Ted Lyons and Bob Feller. Other stars of 1939 game that have added their signatures include starting pitcher Tom Bridges, Doc Painter, Frank Crosetti and others. The signatures of Bill Dickey and Joe Mccarthy are clubhouse. Comes with full letter Certificate Of Authenticity from JSA James Spence. 

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