Lot 582: 35 Player Signed Baseball, Negro Leagues, Memphis Red Sox

Baseball with 35 autographs from predominantly Memphis Red Sox team members including eventual MLB players Bob Boyd and Jehosie Heard, along with Negro League standouts “Cool Papa” Bell and Ted “Double Duty” Radcliffe. The full list includes: James Thomas “Cool Papa” Bell (1974 inductee into the Baseball HoF, b. 1903-d. 1991), Ben Adams, Joe Barnes, Bob Boyd, Frank Dick Bradley, Marlin Carter, Lou Dials,  Frank Evans, James Everett, Ray Haggins, Isiah Harris, Willie Harris, Buster Haywood, Jehosie Heard, Joe Henny, Ulysses Hollimon, Bubba Hyde, Casey Jones, Lester Lockett, Milfred “Rick” Laurent, Verdell Mathis, Herbert Moore, Buck O’Neil (2021 inductee into the Baseball HoF), Bill Owen, Frank Pearson, Nat Peeples, Norris Phillips, Herman Purcell, Ted “Double Duty” Radcliffe, Layman Ramsey, Bobby Robinson, Joe B. Scott, Pepper Sharpe, Willie Sheelor, and Leandy Young. The Rawlings baseball is a 1990 design, so likely the signatures were obtained at a reunion event. Historical note: “There weren’t many Negro League teams that were able to span over 30 years of operation, but the Memphis Red Sox were one of them. Owned by two brothers/dentists, Dr. J.B. Martin and Dr. B.B. Martin, the Red Sox weren’t goliaths of the Negro Leagues, but they did have their high points. In 1937, the Memphis Red Sox were one of eight founding members of the Negro American League, and the following year they were on the cusp of achieving the franchise’s first league title. They had secured the Negro American League first-half championship with a record of 21-4, and were scheduled to play a series against the Atlanta Black Crackers, the second-half champions, to determine who would take home the title of league champion. The Red Sox won their first two games against the Black Crackers, but unfortunately for Memphis, the two teams would not play again, as a clash between Red Sox and Black Crackers management prevented them from finishing the series.  Though the Red Sox were never known for fielding titans of the game, they did send four players to the Major Leagues, including pitchers Dan Bankhead, Jehosie Heard and Marshall Bridges, who played for the Dodgers, Orioles and Cardinals, respectively, and first baseman Bob Boyd, who played for the White Sox and Orioles. Other Memphis Red Sox who were said to have Major League potential included Verdell Mathis, Marlin Carter, Joe Scott, Frank Pearson and Charley Pride, who would achieve fame as a country western singer.” (Source: MLB.com)

CONDITION: Excellent overall condition.