October Legends Closing October 29
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2016
In one of the most exciting post-war seasons, the Cleveland Indians battled the Boston Red Sox for the 1948 pennant. Both teams wanted the pennant more than life itself - Boston wanted to redeem themselves after their heartbreaking loss in 1946 and Cleveland was looking for their first postseason since 1920. To most fans, the Indians represented the future of baseball - owner Bill Veeck integrated the American League with Larry Doby in 1947 and added the ageless Satchel Paige in 1948. Teamed up with the Hall of Fame due of Bob Feller and Bob Lemon, the Indians and Red Sox battled all season long.
The pennant came down to a single sudden-death playoff game, won by Cleveland. The Indians then faced the Boston Braves with their famed Spahn and Sain rotation. The Series see-sawed back and forth with Games 1, 4 and the deciding Game 6 decided by a single run.
This Official American League ball collects 25 of the World Champs. No less than seven Hall of Famers are on the ball: Bob Feller, Bob Lemon, Larry Doby, Lou Boudreaux, Joe Gordon, Bill McKechnie and Satchel Paige, who signed the sweet spot. Other key members on the ball are Sam Zoldak, Russ Christopher, Gene Bearden, Don Black and infielder turned soap opera star Johnny Berardino. The signatures are in blue ballpoint pen. The ball exhibits toning from age but the signatures remain very legible. A great ball signed by the first integrated team to win the World Championship. This team signed baseball comes with a letter of authenticity from JSA (Y95568).