Three icons of athletic competition have carefully signed this aesthetically pleasing and historically fascinating Official National League Ford C. Frick sphere. Any one of these gentlemen's scriptings on a baseball would constitute a wonderful and memorable relic. Appearing as a trio, their collective penmanship on the lightly used, white ball brings about a truly breathtaking keepsake. Perhaps unexpectedly, too, the three men share a history with the sport from which the equipment piece they've signed is derived.

     Signatures on the ball – which features fully legible stampings – include: Jesse Owens (1913-1980) signed and inscribed in blue ink on a side panel, "To Al - My Best for you always, Jesse Owens - '36 Olympics," using neat, cursive script. Owens became a worldwide sports celebrity after winning four gold medals during the 1936 Summer Games. Soon after he returned from Berlin, the sprint and long jump specialist joined the Negro Leagues' Kansas City Monarchs; Jim Thorpe (1888-1953) has been been scripted, "Best Wishes - Jim Thorpe," in red ink on a separate side panel. Frank McCormick (1911-1982) placed a black ink, "Frank McCormick," signature on the ball's sweet spot. The Cincinnati Reds first baseman was a nine-time All-Star and a member of the squad that took the 1940 World Series Championship over the Detroit Tigers. McCormick claimed the title of N.L. RBI champion in 1939, and won the N.L. MVP Award in 1940.

     It's likely that the three legends who signed this ball were together for just a brief time at a special occasion, and collecting enthusiasts are indeed fortunate that this memento of their encounter exists. Few, if any, autographed items hold representative content that can begin to compare with the magnificent body of sports achievement compiled by Owens, Thorpe and McCormick. An incredible and unique piece! This item comes with a JSA LOA (Y36763) who have deemed the Jim Thorpe signature and inscription as "penned in an unknown hand".

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