Lot # 2346: 1953 National League All-Star Team-Signed Baseball with Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella - JSA

Official National League baseball (Giles) signed in blue or black ink by the following 25 members of the 1953 National League All-Star team: Jackie Robinson, Campanella, Hodges, Musial, Kiner, Roberts, Wilhelm, Reese, Ashburn, Mathews, Schoendienst, Slaughter, Spahn, Kluszewski (sweet spot), Haddix, Staley, Dickson, Simmons, Bell, Raffensberger, Landrith, Hamner, Black, D. Williams, and Furillo. The National League defeated the American League 5-1 in the 1953 All-Star Game, which was played at Crosley Field in Cincinnati. Both Hobie Landrith (catcher) and Ken Raffensberger (pitcher) were not on the official roster, but since they both played for Cincinnati, we assume that they served as bullpen catcher and batting practice pitcher for the event. The ball is in Excellent to Near Mint condition overall. This ball originates from the personal collection of Curt Simmons, who was a former Major League pitcher with four different teams, namely the Philadelphia Phillies (1947-1960) and St. Louis Cardinals (1960-1966). This ball, along with four other balls from Simmons collection, has been consigned by the Simmons family to this current auction. Full LOA from James Spence/JSA. (Please note JSA dated this ball from 1952 on their letter, but based on the signatures on this ball, we believe it to be from 1953.)