"Say it ain't so". Those four words, uttered by a shattered young fan after hearing that his idol Joe Jackson admitted to throwing the 1919 World Series, is the most famous phrase in baseball history. Those four simple words completely captured the loss of innocence felt by millions of fans across the country in 1920, a mantra that would go on to be repeated each time the National Pastime faced a major change in the way it was played. Those four words would also be used when something unbelievably rare or impossibly desirable appeared, like the item we present to you here - a team signed 1920 Chicago White Sox ball featuring Joe Jackson on the sweet spot.

Yes, it is so. This is among the most sought after artifacts in baseball history, once thought to be as mythical as the file used by Ty Cobb to sharpen his spikes or crystal-clear newsreel footage of Babe Ruth calling his shot. However, unlike those two, this is real - it is so. To begin, the ball has been signed by Shoeless Joe. We needn't tell you how rare Jackson's signatures are, and when they do come into the hobby they are usually clipped from legal documents he was compelled by law to sign. His signature on any ball is exceedingly rare and only a few authenticated examples are known to exist. This unbelievable ball features the disgraced slugger's autograph right on the sweet spot, his uneasy, heavy scrawl belaying all the anxiety and regret that must have been surging through his mind that summer of 1920. Pitcher Eddie Cicotte has signed the ball, his beaning of Morrie Rath in Game 1 of the 1919 Series signaling the gamblers that the fix was really on. Lefty Williams, whose 22 wins in 1920 marked the premature end of a career that might have ended not in disgrace, but Cooperstown had he chosen to be honest. "Swede" Risberg makes an appearance on the ball, his bold signature evoking the threatening presence which led Shoeless Joe to declare: "the Swede is a hard guy". The most tragic figure of the Black Sox scandal, Buck Weaver is here, a few signatures away from the Swede. Even Fred McMullin, the seldom-used utility player is here on this ball. Though considered a marginal character in the scandal, McMullin may actually have played the biggest role - it was he who was sent to scout the Reds before the Series and his intentionally flawed reports were used to prep the unsuspecting clean Sox. Twelve of those unblemished Pale Hose are on this ball as well, including Hall of Famer Eddie Collins. Pitcher Dickey Kerr, winner of 21 games in 1920 is present as is 23 game winner Red Faber. Their veteran battery mate Ray Schalk has signed along with Roy Wilkinson, H. McClellan, Ted Jourdan, John Collins, the extremely rare Byrd Lynn, and one indecipherable teammate. The presence of Amos A. Strunk marks this as a 1920 ball as he was new to the team that summer. Manager Kid Gleason rounds out this phenomenal relic, his signature on the same panel as Cicotte, Williams and McMullin, three of the men whose unthinkable actions left him a broken man.

The ball itself is a Ban Johnson Reach Official American League model which has taken on a rich amber tone due to a coat of shellac. "White Sox - 1920" is hand written one one of the panels. The signatures are in bold black fountain pen and grade from 4/10 to 6/10. The nine-decade old shellac has chipped off in a few places, including the area of Jackson's signature, however none of this almost century old wear affects the legibility, display quality or historical importance of this piece. The ball exhibits signs of scattered period enhancements.

The baseball is simply in a class with very few others as one of the most desirable and historically significant signed baseballs on the planet. Full Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA and full Letter of Authenticity from James Spence Authentication accompany this incredible artifact from the most pivotal moment in baseball history.

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