Lot # 1995: 1916-1918 Frank Baker New York Yankees Contract - Also Signed by Jacob Ruppert - JSA

Four-page fold-over contract, undated, between Frank Baker and the American League Base Ball Club of New York, signed in black fountain pen by "J. Franklin Baker" and "Jacob Ruppert." Also signed in black ink by a witness. It is extremely rare to find such an early player contract for any Hall of Famer, let alone one of the stature of Frank "Home Run" Baker. The three-year agreement for the 1916-1918 season calls for Baker to receive a salary of $9,166 for each season. Baker, who was the most prominent member of Connie Mack's fabled "$100,000 infield," earned his famous nickname, "Home Run Baker," in the 1911 World Series by virtue of his game-winning home runs in Games 2 and 3. 1911 also marked the first of four consecutive seasons in which he led the American League in home runs. He retired with the Yankees in 1922, finishing his career with a .307 lifetime average, 96 home runs, and 987 RBI (lofty totals during baseball's dead-ball era). He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1955. Contracts of Hall of Fame players are rare and the offered example is no exception. This is just the third Frank Baker contract we have ever handled. The contract (8.5 x 14 inches) displays three horizontal folds, along the lines of which are a couple tiny tears, light creases, and a couple spots of discoloration. In Very Good condition overall. Full LOA from James Spence/JSA.