Lot 260. Dick Kerr Autograph – Chicago’s Honest Pitcher in the 1919 World Series. Despite the best efforts of four starters to make sure the White Sox lost, Kerr pitched the team to two victories in the 1919 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds. He started and won Games 3 and 6. Two other White Sox starters, Eddie Cicotte and Lefty Williams, handed a total of five games to the Reds in the eight-game series. Kerr’s signature, authenticated by Kevin Keating, is nm-m 8 on a lined index card personalized to Bert Sugar. Kerr was 13-7 with the Sox in 1919, and he won 20 games in 1920 and 19 in 1921. After 1921, his playing career was effectively over. Later, he managed in the minors, and he is credited with switching future Hall of Fame great Stan Musial from pitching to playing the outfield.
Winning Bid $110.
Lot 261. Howard Ehmke Bold Autograph on Stationery with a Watermark Image of Him Pitching. Gem mint 10 signature personalized to Bert (Sugar) and authenticated by Kevin Keating. In a career spanning 1915-30, Ehmke played for the Buffalo Blues, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Athletics. He won 20 games for Boston in 1923 and at least 10 games 10 times. After baseball, he established a company that made the first tarpaulins for covering baseball fields. He died in 1959. The stationery was folded twice for mailing. It’s unusual and attractive, and all the more desirable because of the connection to Bert Sugar. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $50.
Lot 262. Harry Gowdy – Almost a Hall of Fame Catcher – Autographed Letter to Bert Sugar. Gowdy may be the only major leaguer who served in both World War I and WWII. He also came as close as anyone to being elected to the Hall of Fame without making it. An excellent catcher defensively, Gowdy played for the New York Giants or Boston Braves, 1910-30. In 1914, he helped the Braves to become world champions. After World War I began, he became the first major leaguer to enlist and subsequently saw trench warfare action with the Ohio National Guard infantry in France. He served again in WWII. After his career ended, Gowdy appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot 17 times. Twice, he finished 10th in the voting. All of the players who finished ahead of him eventually were enshrined at Cooperstown. Gowdy died in 1966. His signature is on a 1949 letter to Sugar on Columbus Athletic Club letterhead. It rates nm-m 8 and has been authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $70.
Lot 263. Autographs of 9 Baseball Players Whose Major League Careers Began Before 1920. In fact, two players made their major league debut before 1900. Here is a list of the players, each with a career summary – FRED BECK: Nm 7 autograph, handwritten note, 5.5” x 8.5” paper, 1947. First baseman-outfielder, 1909-15, Boston Doves, Reds, Phillies and Chicago Federal League. Tied for the major league lead for home runs with 10 in 1910. Died in 1962. JACK BLISS: Nm-m 8 signature, handwritten letter, 5.5” x 8.5” paper, 1943. Catcher, 1908-12, St. Louis Cardinals. Died in 1968. ERNIE KRUEGER: Mint 9 to gem mint 10 autograph, handwritten letter, Marshall Field & Co. stationery, 1949. Catcher, 1913-25, Cleveland Naps, Yankees, Giants, Brooklyn Robins, Reds. Caught a 27-inning game in 1920. A founder of the Old Timers Baseball Association. Died in 1976. FRANK OBERLIN: Nm-m 8 autograph, part of the address, handwritten note to Bert Sugar, 5” x 8” paper, 1950. Pitcher, 1906-10, Boston Americans and Senators. Died in 1952. AL ORTH: Ex-m 6 pencil signature on a newspaper clipping. Pitcher, 1895-1909, Phillies, Senators and New York Highlanders. Won 204 games, at least 100 in each league. Later was an N.L. umpire. Died 1948. OLLIE PICKERING: Nm-m 8 autograph on a newspaper clipping with his image. Center fielder, 1896-1908, Louisville Colonels, Cleveland Spiders, Cleveland Blues, Browns and Senators. First batter in A.L. history in 1901. Died in 1952. WALTER SCHMIDT: Nm-m 8 signature, handwritten letter. Catcher, 1916-25, Pirates and Cardinals. Died 1973. “CHICK” SHORTEN: Nm-m 8 autograph, handwritten note, 6.75” x 5.25” paper, 1949. Outfielder, 1915-24, Red Sox, Tigers, Browns and Reds. Played in the 1916 World Series. Died in 1965. STEVE YERKES: Mint 9 signature, second page of a handwritten note, 5.25” x 9” paper; the first page is missing. Second baseman, 1909-16, Red Sox, Pittsburgh Rebels (Federal League) and Cubs. Died in 1971. Nice collection of vintage autographs from Bert Sugar’s collection. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $218.
Lot 274. Tommy John Signed 1977 Contract Rider Related to Baseball’s Reserve System. The two-page copied document has original signatures dated March 2, 1977 by John and Al Campanis, vice president and general manger of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Campanis died in 1998. The signatures, authenticated by Kevin Keating, are gem mint 10. The rider asserts that the form for a new Uniform Player’s Contract is not yet available. When it is, “the Club and the Player will be bound by the new Reserve System as provided in the Basic Agreement.” The rider is time-stamped “National League Mar 7 9:58 AM ’77.”
Minimum Bid $100.
Lot 275. 3 Pairs of John’s Game-Used Shoes, One a Signed First-of-a-King Pair, and a Signed Poster. In 1978, his final season with the Dodgers, Tommy John suffered an Achilles tendon injury. As he recovered from the injury, his doctors suggested that he wear cowboy boots to relieve pressure on his heel. The boots helped. As he thought about the upcoming season, John recognized that the baseball spikes available then were flat. It occurred to him that a raised heel in his baseball shoes would be beneficial. Soon he called upon his cousin Donald, an expert cobbler, to modify a pair of shoes for him. Donald placed a wedge in a pair of shoes to raise the heel. The fix worked, preventing pain in John’s heel as he opened his first season as a Yankee in 1979. Subsequently, John became as spokesman for PONY, and he had the shoe manufacturer produce shoes for him with raised heels. Offered here are the black shoes modified by John’s cousin. “Those shoes were heavy,” John recalls. “PONY came up with lighter technology.” The 288-game winner, the seventh winningest pitcher among lefties, signed the toes of both shoes modified by his cousin. The signatures are nm-m 8. They are accompanied by a pair each of game-used shoes from John’s years with the Dodgers and the Angels. Also, three signed “Property of Thomas Edward John” labels. Also included is 23” x 34” PONY poster that shows John pitching for the Yankees. He has signed a black area of the poster in silver sharpie. The signature is large, bold and mint 9. Autographs authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $125.
Lot 278. Tommy John Signed Home Plate, Bat, Ball and Seven Other Autographed Items. Among the items is a 1978 Bowie Kuhn Official World Series ball that John autographed on the sweet spot. The signature is mint 9, and the ball, nm+. John pitched the Dodgers to victory in one of the two games they won against the Yankees. John’s autograph is a beauty, gem mint 10, on a Worth 34” Tommy John Model bat. From a Don Mattingly game, home plate is slightly smaller than the real thing and has a hole in the center as made and a Mattingly facsimile signature. The John autograph is the real thing – nm-m 8. Five of John’s signatures are on his book “T.J.: My 26 Years in Baseball,” 1991. He signed the title page of the hardback edition (mint book and ex-m dust jacket) and numbered it 39 of 59 signed. Four copies of the title page are also signed in the paperback version; they are numbered 28, 56, 61 and 65 of 87. The softcovers average ex. Also, a signed Yankees 1989 bumper sticker and an autographed 1988 Fleer card #211. All of the autographs are nm-m 8 or better and have been authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Minimum Bid $95.
Lot 279. 4 Tommy John Store Model Baseball Gloves, All Autographed. John’s autographs, authenticated by Kevin Keating, are nm-m 8 or better on the back of the thumb or small finger of these gloves. All are Wilson models – A2277, both for lefties, one a Youth Model and the other a larger variety; and two A2260, both for right-handers and large enough to fit a small adult hand. The regular A2277 glove is ex; the Youth Model, ex-m+; one A2260 ex-m with “Tommy John” printed on the strap on the back, and the other, vg+ to ex with writing on it in two places. These gloves come with a Yankees-New York Bus Services youth glove that has “Tommy John” printed on it and otherwise is ex-m+. As a bonus, we’ve included 19 mostly used batting or golf gloves. Autographs authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Minimum Bid $60.
Lot 280. Tommy John Little League Collection Including an Award and 3 Signed Items. For years, John actively supported Little League. In 2002, he received the organization’s William A. (Bill) Shea Distinguished Little League Graduate Award “for exemplifying the true spirit of Little League Baseball and serving as a positive role model and inspiration to millions of aspiring Little Leaguers.” The handsome acrylic award is 11” tall, 7” across and 2.5” deep. John autographed a Rawlings Hall of Fame Official League ball (gem mint 10 autograph), a 2005 Little League World Series (mint 9 on the bill) and a Little League World Series VIP cap (nm-m 8). The ball rests on a glove-style holder given to John by the Easton Little League in 1988. This collection includes 12 World Series programs, which average ex-m, from 1991-96, 1999, 2002 (2) and 2010 (3). Harvey Frommer presents Little League history in “Growin Up at Bat: 50 Years of Little League Baseball,” 1989, vg. Among 33 other publications are two different issues of “Little League Magazine,” a program from the 1992 Little League Baseball 19th International Congress; state publications from Minnesota, Indiana and Florida, and 18 copies of the 1993 “Little League Magazine for Kids” with John and his family on the cover. Ex-m overall. Other items are a 4.25” clock with the Little League logo; five Little League caps from 1993, 1995, 2002, 2007 and 2010; a cap from ABC’s Wide World of Sports’ 1994 Little League coverage; three coat hooks for the 1996 series; pins from the 1991, 2007, 2009 and 2010 (2) Series; a 2007 pin from the Saudi All Stars; a 2003 Series official ball; a VHS tape with two features, “Keep ‘em Safe” and “Six Innings – The Little League Report”; and two jerseys given to John by players. Three news clippings covering John’s Little League career are also included. More than 70 items.
Winning Bid $68.
Lot 281. Tommy John’s World Children’s Baseball Fair (WCBF) Autographed Jersey. Established in 1989 by home run kings Sadaharu Oh and Hank Aaron, the WCBF seeks “to share the dream of friendship and team work with the children and to sow the seeds of that dream through our international baseball fair.” It provides tools and encouragement for children to grow and become citizens of the world and build international bridges that connect and unite them through their love of baseball. The annual fair brings children together from around the world for a week-long series of events. John was an advocate for the organization in its early years. He was one of the primary spokesmen at the inaugural fair in Los Angeles in 1990. His signature on his WCBF nm-m jersey is nm-m 8. His name and No. 25 are on the back of the jersey, which he wore in an old-timers game at the Los Angeles fair. John recalls striking out Sadaharu Oh in the game. With the jersey are two programs for 1990, one for 1993 and a signed “Property of Thomas Edward John” label.
Minimum Bid $75.
Lot 282. Baseball Signed by Sadaharu Oh (English and Japanese), Banks, John, 19 Others. This baseball was signed at an early 1990s World Children’s Baseball Fair, either 1990 in Los Angeles or 1993 in San Diego. Home run king Oh and Hank Aaron established the international organization in 1989. The autographs are very strong, almost all mint 9 or gem mint 10. They are on a mint Wilson Little League baseball. Minnie Minoso and Gene Mauch share the sweet spot The north panel belongs to George Foster, Tommy John, Mike Torrez, Graig Nettles and Doc Ellis. Occupants of the south panel are Steve Garvey, Rennie Stennett, Mike Schmidt, Lou Brock and Jerry Grote. Sadaharu Oh signed the east panel, as did Tommie Agee, John Montefusco, Bobby Bonds and Roy White. Oh and Agee signed over printed specifications pertaining to the ball. Mudcat Grant, Larry Sorensen and Ed Kranepool are on the west panel. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $125.
Lot 286. 1984 “Great Moments in Los Angeles Dodgers History” Limited-Edition Set of 16 Prints. Issued by Union Oil of California in conjunction with the Dodgers, these 12.5” x 14.5” prints (8.25” x 10.25” image area) feature artwork depicting such achievements as the 1959, 1963, 1965 and 1981 World Championships, Don Drysdale’s 58 2/3 scoreless innings streak, Fernando Valenzuela’s 1981 Cy Young season, Manny Mota’s record 145th pinch hit, Maury Wills’ 104th stolen base and the Coliseum tribute to Roy Campanella. The artwork is by four Southern California artists, Merv Corning, Rick Farrell, James Zar and Paul Kratter. This set of prints is numbered 66 of 400. Tommy John signed his image on the “1977 National League Championship Series” print. Kevin Keating authenticated the signature. All of the prints have, along one edge, stains and wrinkles that could easily be matted out. These imperfections extend in no more than one-fourth inch from the edge. Dodgers press releases describing the series are included.
Winning Bid $55.
Lot 287. 5 Team Baseballs with 98 Autographs, Including HoFers. All of these baseballs have a connection to Tommy John’s career. He played for the 1982 Yankees, the 1983 Yankees and various Dodgers teams, and he was the pitching coach with the 2002 Harrisburg Senators. In 1980, and other years as well, he was a Major League All-Star: 1980 A.L. All-Stars, 22 autographs, generally nm-m 8, on an OAL MacPhail ball with light printed areas. Earl Weaver and Jim Frey on the sweet spot; Ken Landreaux, Darrell Porter, Paul Molitor, Jorge Orta, Robin Yount, Alan Trammell, Larry Gura, Buddy Bell, Frank Robinson, Dave Stieb, Carlton Fisk, George Brett, Al Oliver, Rick Honeycutt, Steve Stone, Ben Oglivie, Cecil Cooper, Ed Farmer, Al Bumbry and Reggie Jackson. 1983 California Angels, 23 autographs, nm7 to gem mint 10 on an nm off-white OAL MacPhail ball: John McNamara and Reggie Jackson on the sweet spot; Tommy John, Steve Brown, Rick Steirer, Steve Lubratich, Bobby Knoop, Jerry Narron, Preston Gomez, Juan Beniguez, Bobby Clark, Geoff Zahn, Rob Wilfong, Bob Clear, Bob Lacey, Andy Hassler, Curt Brown, Rick Adams, Gary Pettis, Ron Jackson, Byron McLauglin and Doug Corbett. 1982 New York Yankees, 16 autographs, nm 7 or nm-m 8, on an ex-m to nm off-white OAL MacPhail ball: The signers are Bobby Murcer, Dave Winfield, Butch Wynegar, Dave Righetti, Rudy May, Andre Robertson, Shane Rawley, Ron Guidry, Tommy John, Oscar Gamble, John Mayberry, Dave Collins, Lou Piniella, Willie Randolph, Roger Erickson and Rich Gossage. Miscellaneous Dodgers. 12 autographs, mint 9 or gem mint 10, on a mint OML Selig ball. Tommy John, Maury Wills, Ralph Branca, Jerry Reuss, Dixie Walker, Rick Monday, Ron Perranoski, Tommy Davis, Steve Yeager, Joe Pignatano, Carl Erskine and Bill Russell. 2002 Harrisburg Senators. 25 autographs, ex 5 to nm-m 8, on an nm-m Official Eastern League ball. Signers include Tommy John and at least four players who made the majors, Anthony Ferrari, Jeff Bailey, Terrmel Sledge and Brent Billingsley.
Winning Bid $273.
