Spring 2019 Premium Auction Closing May 11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/12/2019
Hall of Famer Roy Campanella was coming off his 1955 National League MVP award while his Brooklyn Dodgers finally beat their cross-town rivals the New York Yankees in the World Series. Campy had been to three previous World Series, all against the Yankees and all of them had gone the way of the Bronx Bombers.
Campanella signed this offered contract for the 1956 season. The first page of this contract has “UNIFORM PLAYER’S CONTRACT” across the top in black print with “National League of Professional Baseball Clubs” below that in red print. The contract starts “Between BROOKLYN NATIONAL LEAGUE BASEBALL CLUB, INC., herein called the Club, and ROY CAMPANELLA of Eastlind Dr., East Island, Glen Cove L.I., N.Y.”, herein called the Player.” For the payment it reads “For performance of the Player’s services and promises hereunder the Club will pay the Player the sum of FORTY-TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($42,000) FOR THE SEASON,”.
Campanella’s bold signature appears on the bottom of the third page in black pen on the “(Player)” line. This contract is in excellent condition, with only very slight toning. The corners and edges are in good condition. The added typing displays some fading and bleeding and there a no folds or creases. One of the best pre-accident signatures of Roy Campanella and this signed contract comes with a LOA from JSA (B32295) for Campanella’s signature.