Auction Item Details
Lot 792b
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Lot Number: 792
Description: Cache of vintage correspondence and paper items regarding the New York Giants' proposed purchase of Hank Aaron's contract c.1952. The documents within the offered lot relate to one of the more storied "non-occurrences" in baseball history. Just imagine if the Giants' lineup on opening day of the 1953 season at the Polo Grounds in New York had been announced as, "Batting third...Hank Aaron, Batting fourth...Willie Mays..." In May of the 1952 season, the New York Giants were very interested in the contractual rights for Henry Aaron, who was playing for Syd Pollock's Indianapolis Clowns. John Schwarz, secretary for the New York Giants Farm teams, had been negotiating with Syd Pollock and had arrived at a tentative deal for Aaron at a salary of $250 per month. Pollock was also negotiating simultaneously with the Boston Braves who offered $350 per month. Pollock informed Schwarz that Aaron would not play for less than $250. Before Schwarz could make a counter-offer, Pollock received an agreement for Aaron that same day from the Boston Braves, leaving the Giants empty handed. It is interesting to consider whether a Mays/Aaron combination might have kept the Giants in New York. The lot consists of the actual telegrams from Schwarz pleading with Syd Pollock to move forward with the sale of Aaron's contract to the Giants, a signed letter from Schwarz on Giants stationary, and a C.Feeney auto. typed letter regarding Monte Irvin dated April 1952. (7) total pieces. Includes a letter of provenance from the Pollock family: Range VG-NM
Estimated Price: ($750.00-$1,250.00)
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