Lot # 2000: 1926 New York Yankees American League Champions Team-Signed Baseball with Lou Gehrig and Miller Huggins - From the Urban Shocker Collection

Official American League baseball (Johnson) signed in blue fountain pen by 27 members of the 1926 American League Champion New York Yankees, including Gehrig, Huggins (Mgr.), Lazzeri, Combs, Pennock, Hoyt, Shocker, Merkle (player/coach), Ward, Koenig, Meusel, P. Collins, Dugan, Paschal, Beall, McQuaid, O'Leary (coach), Ruether, Thomas, Gazella, Shawkey, Braxton, Carlyle, Severeid, Skiff, and Adams. (The signature of Babe Ruth across the sweet spot has been deemed a clubhouse version.) This 1926 New York Yankees team-signed ball is unique due to its exceptional provenance. It originates from the family member of pitcher Urban Shocker, who was a key member of the 1927 New York Yankees, and the baseball is one of a number of items consigned to this auction by Shocker's great-grandson (the remainder of the collection, which includes photos, game-used equipment, and other such items, is offered elsewhere in this auction). Shocker is one of the rarest of all 1927 New York Yankees signatures because of his untimely death in 1928 due to pneumonia. This is just the sixth Shocker signature we have ever offered, in any form. The ball is moderately toned and the manufacturer's stampings are bold and legible. In Very Good to Excellent condition overall. Mid-1920s era Yankees team balls are extremely scarce, and we cannot remember the last time we offered one dating from 1926. In our eyes, the fact that this ball was once part of Urban Shocker's personal collection adds to its significance and mystique. Full LOA from James Spence/JSA.