Christy Mathewson was one of the gentlemen of baseball’s early years, and one of the players most responsible for curating baseball’s reputation as a game played by outlaw ruffians into a sport for the sophisticated and elite. A graduate of Bucknell College in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, Mathewson joined the New York Giants for the 1900 season at the tender age of 19. While it took a few seasons for Mathewson to develop into the formidable pitcher he became, he quickly adjusted to life as a Big Leaguer. In 1903, “Matty” won 30 games for the first time in his career, while leading the league in strikeouts (267), and maintaining an ERA 2.26. His 267 punchouts stood as the National League record for over half a century before another great New York pitcher, Sandy Koufax, eclipsed his vaunted mark. Unfortunately for Mathewson, his health began failing him after an accidental exposure to mustard gas while stationed in France during World War I. After attempting to return to baseball in 1925 as the president of the Boston Braves, Mathewson succumbed to the tuberculosis he was diagnosed with in 1921. 11 years after his death, Mathewson was honored as a part of the inaugural class of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

John “Chief” Meyers, a teammate of Mathewson, played most of his career with the New York Giants. Meyers, who was with the Giants from 1909 to 1915, was the primary catcher for Mathewson and was solid at the plate, hitting over .300 for the three-straight seasons that the Giants won National League pennants (1911-1913). Meyers was of Native American descent and went to college at Dartmouth. Both men have signed this offered Official National League baseball. Both signatures are on the side panel and are in faded black pen. This is a very rare heavy-pen pressure signature from both players and the LOA from JSA, which accompanies this baseball, shows the signatures under a black light. This Spalding ball is in good overall condition with the black and orange stitching still fully intact. This ball comes with the aforementioned LOA from JSA (Y96114), authenticating both Mathewson’s and Meyers’ signatures. Please note that there is an addition signature on this ball of John McGraw that JSA has deemed a clubhouse version.

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