It was a miracle that the Cleveland Indians made the post season in 1920, let alone won the World Series. First, the team had to overcome the grief and shock from their star shortstop Ray Chapman’s death from a Carl Mays beanball, then surpass the Catholic-Protestant feud that divided the team during Chapmans funeral. And of course, there was the defending Chicago White Sox, still unaffected by the scandal that would strip the team of its stars the next season. The new-look Yankees with Babe Ruth surged at the end of the season, but ultimately the Indians outlasted them all, winning the pennant by two games.

The Tribe faced the Brooklyn Dodgers in an exciting best of 9 World Series that saw Bill Wambsganss’ unassisted triple play, Elmer Smith belting the first ever World Series grand slam and Jim Bagby of Cleveland hitting the first ever World Series homer by a pitcher. 11 members of this first Indians World Championship team have signed this ball in black fountain pen including Hall of Famers Tris Speaker, Stan Coveleski, Joe Sewell plus Elmer Smith, Charlie Jamieson, George Burns, Doc Johnston, Steve O’Neill, Walter Mails, and Larry Gardner. An unknown hand has inscribed the date “Sept. 2 1951”. The ball is in wonderful condition with just light toning from age, the signatures bold and crisp against the white leather surface of the Reach Official American League Harridge ball. This item comes with a LOA from JSA.

Auction Notepad