Satchel Paige 1951 St. Louis Browns Team Signed American League Baseball JSA COA
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$1,495.00
Official American League (Harridge) ball signed in black ink by thirty-two members of the 1951 St. Louis Browns including former Negro League star Satchel Paige. Paige's signature is located vertically on a side panel. Included among the remaining signatures on the ball are those of Sievers, Turley, Taylor, Markell, Lollar, Z. Taylor (Mgr., sweet spot), Wood (sweet spot), Young, Mapes, McDonald, Berardino, Widmar, Batts, Garver, Marsh, Delsing, Saucier, and Thomas. Also included is the signature of Max Patkin, known as the "clown prince of baseball." Considered by many to be one of the greatest pitchers in the history of the game, Satchel Paige became the first black pitcher in the American League after Cleveland Indians owner Bill Veeck signed him to a contract in 1948. Despite the fact that Paige was 41 years old and his best years were long behind him, he finished the season with a 6-1 record and was instrumental in helping the club capture its first World Championship in twenty-eight years. Veeck sold the Indians following the 1950 season, but in 1951 he purchased the St. Louis Browns and once again signed the irrepressible Paige to pitch for his new club. Paige appeared in twenty-three games with the Browns in 1951, compiling a 3-4 record and a 4.79 ERA. He pitched two more seasons for the Browns before officially retiring from the Majors. In 1971 Paige was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Committee on Negro League Baseball. Paige played only five seasons in the Majors (not counting his three-inning publicity stunt with Charley Finley's A's in 1965), therefore any team balls featuring his signature are both rare and highly desirable. This is an outstanding example dating from his brief Major League career. Full LOA from James Spence/JSA.
D#130
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