Auction Item Details
Lot 501
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Lot Number: 501
Description: Significant 1937 Joe "Ducky" Medwick National League Most Valuable Player award. The very terminology "Gashouse Gang" within the 1930s era immediately drew fear into opponents of the St. Louis Cardinals. So named due to their rough and tumble appearance along with their often horrid smell of dirtied uniforms. An opponent once stated that the Cardinals players usually went into the field in unwashed, dirty, and smelly uniforms, which alone spread horror among their rivals. According to one account, scrappy shortstop Leo Durocher coined the term. He and his teammates were speaking derisively of the American League and the consensus was that the Redbirds - should they prevail in the National League race - would handle whoever won the AL pennant. "Why, they wouldn't even let us in that league over there," Durocher, who had played for the New York Yankees, observed. "They think we're just a bunch of gashousers." The phrase "gas house" referred to plants that manufactured town gas for lighting and cooking from coal, which were common fixtures in US cities prior to the widespread use of natural gas. The plants were noted for their foul smell and were typically located near railroad yards in the poorest neighborhood in the city. That very Cardinals team enjoyed several star player during the 1937 season, none bigger then Joe "Ducky" Medwick. Medwick's 1937 season was frighteningly strong leading the National League in nearly every offensive category. 237 Hits, 111 Runs, .374 Batting Average, 31 HRs, 154 RBIs, and 56 Doubles. In as much, Medwick was named the Most Valuable Player of the National League for 1937. Offered is the pocket watch presented to Medwick for that honor. Hamilton pocket watch is of the finest craftsmanship of the era retaining its original works and dial facing. Exterior of the watch back plate is inscribed, "Joseph M. Medwick Most Valuable Player of National League for 1937 Selected by Baseball Writers Association of America Presented By The Sporting News" . Interior of the backplate is marked, "14K Gold Filled Wadsworth Quality 0543015" along with "Hamilton Watch Co, Lancaster, PA". General condition is very fine with some apparent light age spotting to the dial face remaining in running order although tuning may be needed. Includes its original leather Hamilton box. Most Valuable Player award pocket watches, and later plaques, are without equal in desirability to baseball collectors of import. The offered exemplar rates as one of the finest 1930s era Hall of Fame member MVP awards to have been offered to the collecting public: EX-MTEstimated Price Range: ($15,000-$25,000)
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