2017 holiday
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2017
The first Cy Young award was given out in 1956 to Brooklyn Dodgers hurler Don “Newk” Newcombe. Newcombe, the first African-American pitcher to win 20 games in a season, also picked up MVP honors in 1956 after a dominating 27-win season. Newk was selected to four All-Star teams in his 10-year career.
Offered in this lot are two Don Newcombe items. The first item is a unique questionnaire that was filled out by the former Cy Young Award winner prior to him joining the Brooklyn Dodgers. The questionnaire was done by “American Baseball Bureau” out of Chicago. Stamped “17 MAY 1946” this gives some insight to the man who would be the first African American to win the Cy Young Award. One of the questions was “AMBITION IN BASEBALL:” which he filled out “To Join Brooklyn Dodgers B.B.C. National League”. Newcombe’s offseason occupation was a “Painter” and his favorite sport other than baseball was “Football”. Newcombe wrote “John Grier, Raleigh Mackey, Mule Suttles” as those he owed the most in his baseball career. Newcombe wrote his answers in black ink and this questionnaire comes with a full LOA from Steve Grad of Beckett Authentication (A03248).
The second item in this lot is a 11 x 14 inch black and white photo of Newcombe warming up on the infield warning track at Yankee Stadium. This undated photograph shows Newcombe with this left leg up high looking off camera and the empty outfield stands in the background, including a piece of the famous Yankee Stadium façade in the upper left. Newcombe signed his name in bold blue marker and inscribed “Best Wishes NL ROY “49” Cy Youn “56” NL MVP”. This signed photograph comes with a COA from PSA/DNA (H14595).