Following the Black Sox scandal in the 1919 World Series, baseball owners were looking to install someone who could watch over their sport and protect it from any further wrongdoing. As a result, Kenesaw Mountain Landis was named the first Commissioner of Baseball in 1920. His first action as commissioner was to ban the eight Chicago White Sox players who had been accused of throwing the 1919 World Series against the Chicago Cubs. Landis would go on to serve as commissioner of baseball until his death in 1944 and is widely credited with helping restore the public’s faith in the game following the scandal.

This offered letter was signed by Landis less than six months before his passing in 1944. The letter was dated May 18, 1944 and was addressed to “Lt.(j.g.) Fred D. Landis, USNR, Landing Craft and Bases, Europe”. The letter reads “Dear Fred, I am having a hell of a time figuring out where to write you. I finally got it fom Gid, as above. It’s been so long since I heard from you that I have forgotten the looks of your chirography, as I had long since forgotten your facial qualities. I am writing today to your mother to send me your photograph. I have a place in my rented house, on the wall in the living room, where I am going to put the active warriors of your grandfather Landis’. That includes you and your two sisters and two brothers, Colonel John and his boy Charley, and my son Reed and his boy Keehn, and my daughter’s son Bill. Charley is at Camp Meade, temporarily, about to go overseas. Keehn is at St. Petersburg for a few finishing touches, preparatory to going over-seas. Bill is on a flat-top in the Pacific. Everything good to you, ole hoss. Yours,” signed by Landis in black pen This signed letter is in good condition with crease marks and edge wear and comes with a LOA from Steve Grad of Beckett Authentication (A52895).

Auction Notepad