Presented here is an Official National League Ford C. Frick baseball signed by 23 members of the 1945 Pittsburgh Pirates, including a signature from Hall of Famer Honus Wagner on the sweet spot. In addition to his Hall of Fame playing career with the Pittsburgh Pirates where he was a member of the inaugural class of inductees, Honus Wagner also coached for the Pirates from 1933 – 1951. The Pirates finished the 1945 season in fourth place with a record of 82-72. This presented Spalding baseball features 23 signatures, with Hall of Famer Honus Wagner and Xavier Rescigno signing on the sweet spot. Other key signatures include those of Walter Beck, Thommy O’Brien (the first of his two signatures on this ball), Fritz Ostermueller, Max Butcher, Al Gionfriddo, Frank Coleman, and Johnny Bassett on the east panel. The west panel features signatures from Al Gerheauser, Frank Gustine, and Art Ciccurullo. The north panel features signatures from Pete Coscarart, Bill Salkeld, Tommy O’Brien (second signature), Bob Elliot, Vic Barnhart, and Babe Dahlgren. The south panel features signatures from Al Lopez, Jack Saltzgaver, Jim Russell, and Frank Frisch. The signatures were signed with black ink and are showing early signs of fading on the even-toned ball. The baseball signed by 23 members of the 1945 Pittsburgh Pirates comes with an LOA from Elwin Roe, the son of the late Elwin “Preacher” Roe who pitched in the Pirates from 1944-1947.

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