October Legends
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/2/2013
Despite missing almost five full season due to his military service in protecting our country, Ted Williams still amassed 2,654 hits, good for 73rd on the all-time list. Ted certainly would have been a member of the 3,000 hit club had he not missed that time. However, on June 2, 1959, Ted reached the next best milestone when he clubbed his 2,500th career hit, a rocket RBI first inning double off Ray Herbert of the Chicago White Sox. A small delay occurred on the field, and the ball was presented to the 40 year old Williams, who then tossed it into the visiting dugout for safekeeping. After the game, Williams declared he had no need for the ball, and promptly gave it to long time Red Sox clubhouse man Johnny Orlando, and it was passed down generational lines within that family. The creamy OAL Harridge ball shows light wear with only being involved for a short time, just a few minor scrapes. It displays very legible stampings with the side panel exhibiting a bold, blue ink signature with inscription, "2500th hit June 2, 59 Ted Williams." This is perfectly written in Williams' distinctive flowing script, grading a perfect ("10"). In addition, a small ink mark (seemingly with the same pen) on the panel to the north was likely placed as an identification mark immediately after the hit was made, in order to assure the correct ball made it back to the Splinter. Despite all the accolades Ted registered in his storied career, the amount of hits he accumulated was always important to him. He wanted to be known as the greatest hitter who ever lived, but time served overseas kept him from achieving that recognition solely by the numbers. This ball was slugged for the chief milestone of this Hall of Famer's career, and is a historic treasure of tremendous importance in baseball history. This ball is about as good as it gets for a signed Ted Williams item. One of the very few historic hit or home run balls of ted Williams ever to come to market. Full LOA from PSA/DNA, cert number S05685. Full LOA from James Spence Authentication, cert number X73530.