Opening Day Auction Closing May 9th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/10/2015
Long before Johnny Bench came along, Ernie Lombardi was the Cincinnati Reds most popular backstop. The hulking catcher was a solid .300 catcher throughout his 17 year career and his expert handling of the Reds pitching staff won two pennants and a World Series. "Lom" was also calling the pitches when Johnny Vander Meer threw his two consecutive no-hitters in 1938. The Cincinnati fans loved their big 8-time All-Star and his .342 average in 1938 earned him the National League MVP. In a belated recognition of his immense talent "The Schnozz" (he had the biggest nose in the Majors) was posthumously elected to the Hall of Fame in 1986. The big man has signed this ball in blue ball point adding "To John from Ernie Lombardi". The ball, which contains no identifying manufacturer ID, had been well used prior to Lombardi signing it and its surface has darkened from turf and age. Since the Hall of Fame catcher has signed on top of the previous wear the signature is crisp and clear. Since Lombardi was not elected to Cooperstown until after his death in 1977, a single signed ball from the Reds star is one of the more difficult 20th Century Hall of Famers to obtain. Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA.