Lot # 3452: 1962 New York Mets Team-Signed Ball with Gil Hodges and Casey Stengel - JSA

The value and desirability of a team-signed ball is normally predicated on the success of the team and the number of significant players' signatures present on the ball. This ball, however, is the exact opposite of that rule and is valued by collectors for the sheer ineptitude of the club. Offered here is a ball signed by the 1962 New York Mets, the worst team in baseball history. The Official National League (Giles) baseball has been signed in blue and black ink by twenty-eight members of the club. Notable signatures include Stengel (mgr.), Ashburn, Jackson, Zimmer, Bell, Hodges, Thomas, and Ruffing (coach). As most collectors are aware, Stengel's signature on most New York Mets team balls is a "clubhouse" version, making this example particularly rare and noteworthy. The ball is inscribed "Happy Birthday/April 14, '62/Tim Coates" in blue ink on the sweet spot. Excellent condition overall. Full LOA from James Spence/JSA.