October 10, 1956 saw the baseball season come to an end as the New York Yankees defeated their cross-town rivals the Brooklyn Dodgers 9-0 in Game 7 of the World Series. This Fall Classic will best be remembered for the perfect game thrown by Yankees pitcher Don Larsen in the pivotal Game 5 when the teams were tied at two games apiece. The Dodgers fought back in Game 6 by winning a 1-0 10-inning game to force a Game 7.

     October 10, 1956 would also be the last ever game played by Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson. Robinson, of course, was the first African-American player to play in the big leagues, when he made his debut with the Dodgers on April 15, 1947. Robinson was the 1947 Rookie of the Year and the National League MVP in 1949 and will always be remembered and credited for ushering in a new era in baseball. It was also Robinson’s walk-off single in Game 6 that forced the deciding Game 7 in 1956.

     Presented here is an Official National League Warren Giles baseball that was used during Game 7 of the 1956 World Series. This historic baseball was acquired from American League umpire Larry Napp, who was the first base umpire for Game 7 and gifted this baseball to a family friend after Game 7. Before giving this baseball to his friend, Napp signed his name in blue pen on the side panel and added the inscription “Oct 12, 1956”. Also signing this baseball was Game 5 hero Don Larsen and Dodgers’ pitcher Sal Maglie, who both signed their names in blue pen on another side panel. The baseball is in good condition and the black stampings are clear. The ball displays toning due to age and appears to have been rubbed down for game use. This item comes with a full LOA from Steve Grad of Beckett Authentication.

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