Auction Item Details
Lot 674
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Lot Number: 674
Description: 1917 Tim Murnane Day auto. baseball from Buck WeaverÆs Family. Tim Murnane played in the 1870's for several National Association teams before becoming a charter member of the Boston Red Stockings in 1876. He stole the first base in the history of the National League. After his playing career he became the baseball editor for the Boston Globe and authored what became the first regular baseball column. Eventually he became President of the Eastern League and even published his own baseball guide. The baseball world was shocked when, in February 1917, Murnane was striken with a massive heart attack and died while attending an opera at BostonÆs Shubert Theatre. Seven months later the Red Sox organized an ôAll-Starö game to benefit his family. The game, played on September 27, 1917 and raised $14,000, pitted the Red Sox against an All-Star team drawn from across the American League, with the Red Sox prevailing 2-0. The Red Sox pitcher that day was none other than 22-year-old Babe Ruth, who interestingly had won a trophy for hitting the longest fungo in a pre-game contest. Buck Weaver, one of the ôAll-Stars,ö had the presence of mind to procure a Ban Johnson Official American League ball and assemble a team ball of the All-Star squad at a time when team ball-signing was in its infancy and not a widespread practice. The offered item is that ball, which is remarkably well-preserved. The 22 fountain pen signatures include Babe Ruth (one of the earliest Ruth signatures extant on a baseball), Walter Johnson, Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker, Connie Mack, Hugh Jennings, and many more. Includes LOA from PSA/DNA J. Spence-S.Grad: EX
Estimated Price: ($8,000.00-$10,000.00)
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