The 1946 Pittsburgh Pirates were not an exceptionally good baseball team, finishing seventh out of eight National League ballclubs. However, 1946 was the debut season of Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner, a transcendent talent who led the National League in home runs for seven consecutive seasons while a Pirate.

     26 members of the 1946 Pirates signed this baseball, including Hall of Famers Honus Wagner, then a coach with the Pirates, manager Frank Frisch, Al Lopez, and Kiner. Other signatures include Elbie Fletcher, Al Gionfriddo, Fritz Ostermueller, Preacher Roe, Del Bissonette, Roy Jarvis, Ken Gables, Jim Russell, Maurice Van Robays, Rip Sewell, Lee Handley, Frank Gustine, Bob Elliot, Bill Salked, Hank Gornicki, Ken Heintzelman, Bill Baker, Nick Strincevich, Ed Bahr, Ed Albosta, Al Gerheauser, and Billy Cox. Frisch and Fletcher signed the sweet spot of this Official National League Ford C. Frick baseball. Wagner signed directly to the right of the “Official National League” wordmark. Please note a small hole has been drilled in the stamped portion, which is slightly faded, but the hole does not impact any of the 26 signatures on this ball. The signatures have been written in dark green pen. This item comes with a LOA from PSA/DNA (AC00413).

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