Napoleon Lajoie was one of the biggest stars in the game. As a player, he had electrified fans with his hitting, winning five batting crowns, including a string of four consecutive titles from 1901 to 1904. Nap’s rivalry with Ty Cobb was legendary, the two men possessing two radically different temperaments – Cobb brash and abrasive and Lajoie modest and soft-spoken. Fans on a whole found Lajoie more likeable and easier to root for, and his popularity was such that when he was named Cleveland’s manager in 1905, the team was re-christened the “Naps” in his honor. Offered here is an unmarked baseball signed by Lajoie. The great hitter signed his name “Larry Lajoie” in blue ink starting on the sweet spot and spilling over onto the side panel. The ball displays toning and white marks which only slightly affect the signature. A great piece of baseball history and it comes with a LOA from Steve Grad of Beckett Authentication (A52518).

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