here<\/a>.<\/p>\nFurrther, you don\u2019t have to be a nostalgia buff or student of baseball history to relate to the players whose signatures are featured in this volume. The one hundred players on this list range from pioneers like Hall of Famer Albert Spalding<\/strong><\/em> (who played his last MLB game in 1877) to contemporary stars like Albert Pujols<\/strong><\/em> (1B\/DH for the 2016 Angels). Along the way, the book takes a look at players (and their signatures) like Grover Cleveland Alexander, Cy Young, Babe Ruth, Jimmie Foxx, Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Roberto Clemente, Tony Gwynn, Rickey Henderson, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Ichiro Suzuki \u2013 and more. Authors Tom Zappala and Ellen Zappala also did not limit the book\u2019s scope to the U.S. major leagues.\u00a0 You\u2019ll also find Negro League stars like Josh Gibson and Oscar Charleston; Cuban great Martin Dihigo; and Japanese home run king Sadaharu Oh.\u00a0 (Is that something for every fan picture starting to emerge?)<\/em><\/p>\nAs you can tell, I liked the book \u2013 and, if you are reading this blog post, I\u2019m pretty sure you\u2019ll like it too.\u00a0 But, to whet your appetite, let\u2019s take a closer look at just a few examples what you can expect to find on the 200+ pages of The 100 Greatest Baseball Autographs.<\/em><\/p>\nThe Obligatory List<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nIf you going to promise to identify the 100 greatest of anything, you better provide some kind of list.\u00a0 Well, it\u2019s right up front. In Chapter One, the authors identify the top twenty most desirable baseball autographs.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want to \u201cgive away the whole story,\u201d so here are the top five:<\/p>\n
The Top Five Most Desirable Baseball Autographs<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0#1 Babe Ruth<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 #2 Christy Mathewson<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0#3 Josh Gibson<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 #4 Shoeless Joe Jackson<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 #5 Lou Gehrig<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\nEvaluation from PSA\/DNA Certification Experts<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nThe book provides collectors an evaluation of each autograph by PSA\/DNA experts, covering such areas as specific characteristics of each signature, changes over time, rarity and tips on determining authenticity.<\/p>\n
Here are just a few tidbits from the evaluations:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cOut of respect for Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig<\/strong> very rarely signed his autograph on the sweet spot of a baseball. Gehrig felt that it was Ruth\u2019s place to be on the sweet spot … It was not until Ruth retired as a player that Gehrig\u2019s signature began to appear more frequently on the sweet spot.\u201d<\/em><\/li>\nChristy Mathewson<\/strong>\u2019s autograph is notable because of its \u201cscarcity, beautiful appearance, and his legendary status.\u201d<\/em> (Mostly found on documents such as checks and contracts, Mathewson\u2019s signature on a baseball has been known to command more than $100,000.)<\/li>\nJimmie Foxx<\/strong> changed his autograph over time, even altering the spelling of his first name (Jim, Jimmy, Jimmie).<\/li>\nTed Williams\u2019<\/strong> signature is one of the most forged in baseball \u2013 and a large volume of counterfeit Williams items were seized in a late-1990s FBI sting.,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nHall of Famer Pitcher John Clarkson \u2013 As Rare As It Gets<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cNot only did he play in an era when autograph signing wasn\u2019t commonplace, Clarkson spent the last several years of his life in various sanitariums and psychiatric hospitals, making his autograph almost impossible to obtain in that tragic time … As of this writing, PSA has not certified a Clarkson autograph.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 The 100 Greatest Baseball Autographs<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\nThe Stories a Player\u2019s Signature Can Tell<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>You will also find comments on how a player\u2019s performance and popularity can affect their signature \u2013 adding to or subtracting from its legibility or prompting the use of ghost signers (relatives, club employees, etc.)<\/p>\nMickey Mantle \u2013 Growing Into Greatness<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cIf you were to compare a rookie autograph of Mickey Mantle to one penned later in his career and life, you can see the evolution not only of his signature style, but also of his personality. What was once a very simplistic signature early in his career developed into one of the most recognizable and stylish autographs in the entire hobby.\u00a0 Mantle went from being a small-town phenomenon to the starting center fielder of the most popular team on the planet \u2013 the New York Yankees<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cIf you follow changes in his autograph, you can see Mantle\u2019s rise to stardom. As he blossomed into a superstar on the field, more people asked for his autograph. As more people requested his autograph, Mantle had time to perfect it and his confidence grew as an athlete. You can sense that the confidence in his seasoned signature. It is bold and definitive like those of fellow baseball legends like Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio and Babe Ruth.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 The 100 Greatest Baseball Autographs<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\nTed Williams came in as the 20th most desirable autograph.<\/p><\/div>\n
Statistics \u2013 Statistics \u2013 Statistics<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nWe count everything in baseball, and The 100 Greatest Baseball Autographs<\/em> honors that tradition. Each player\u2019s on-field performance is well documented \u2013 from Walter Johnson\u2019s 12 strikeout titles, 417 wins and 2.17 career ERA to Albert Pujols\u2019 2001 rookie-season stat line of .329-37-130.\u00a0 The authors give solid statistical evidence \u2013\u00a0 career accomplishments and best seasons – for why each of these player\u2019s signatures are among the 100 greatest autographs in the game.<\/p>\nFor the Trivia Buff<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nThe Zappala\u2019s also provide a look at some of the unique stats and occurrences that translate into grist for baseball trivia buffs. Here is just a sampling:<\/p>\n
\nStan Musial<\/strong> collected 1,815 hits at home and 1,815 hits on the road.<\/li>\nWhen the Dodgers met the Twins in the 1965 World Series, the only Dodger boasting a .300 or better batting average was pitcher Don Drysdale<\/strong>. (That season, Drysdale hit .300 with seven home runs and 19 RBI in 130 at bats and was occasionally used as a pinch hitter).<\/li>\nRickey Henderson<\/strong> stole 30 or more bases seven times \u2013 after age 35.<\/em><\/li>\nCy Young<\/strong> is credited with introducing the changeup to baseball<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nChuck Klein \u2013 A Home Run Title that was a Walk in the Park<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cIn 1929, his first full season in the majors, the 24-year-old (Chuck) Klein batted .346 and smacked an amazing 43 homers to win the National League home run crown. Interestingly, Klein\u2019s teammates helped guarantee that home run title. On the last day of the 1929 season, the Phillies played the New York Giants in a doubleheader.\u00a0 Klein and Giants superstar Mel Ott were tied for the home run lead.\u00a0 In the first game, Klein homered, which put him one ahead of Ott. In the second game, Ott was walked FIVE times by Phillies pitchers, and one of those walks came with the bases loaded.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 The 100 Greatest Baseball Autographs<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nNote: Most of the time Klein, who went on to win the HR crown in three of the next four seasons (including the Triple Crown in 1933), signed \u201cChuck\u201d Klein (with quotes around his first name).<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\nA Look into the Lives of Featured Players<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nThe Zappalas also give readers a look into the lives of the featured players with background as diverse as:<\/p>\n
\nHow Babe Ruth<\/strong> \u201cdominated the Big Apple\u2019s Roaring Twenties social scene as much as he did opposing pitchers.\u201d<\/em><\/li>\nThe impact on Ty Cobb<\/strong> of his mother\u2019s fatal shooting of his father.<\/li>\nRube Waddell<\/strong>\u2019s zany antics, including wrestling alligators.<\/li>\nJourneyman catcher Moe Berg<\/strong>\u2019s ties to the OSS and CIA.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWhat Peers Had to Say<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nThe 100 Greatest Baseball Autographs<\/em> is also sprinkled with quotes from peers about the players whose signatures are so popular. Just a few examples:<\/p>\nI played with Willie Mays and against Hank Aaron.\u00a0 They were tremendous players, but they were no josh Gibson.<\/em><\/p>\nMonte Irvin, Hall of Famer<\/p>\n
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His fastball looked about the size of a watermelon seed and it hissed at you as it passed.<\/em><\/p>\nTy Cobb on Walter Johnson<\/p>\n
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Does Pete Rose hustle? Before the All Star game, he came into the clubhouse and took off his shoes and they ran another mile without him.<\/em><\/p>\nHank Aaron<\/p>\n
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(Harmon) Killebrew can knock the ball out any park including Yellowstone.<\/em><\/p>\nPaul Richards, Orioles Manager<\/p>\n
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When ol\u2019 Diz was out there pitching it was more than just another ballgame. It was a regular three-ring circus and everybody was wide awake and enjoying being alive.<\/em><\/p>\nPepper Martin, Dizzy Dean teammate<\/p>\n
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So there you have it, a taste of what you can expect from The 100 Greatest Baseball Autographs<\/em> – again, a book that offers something for baseball autograph collectors, statistics addicts, historians, trivia buffs, casual fans and true fanatics. It\u2019s entertaining, informative (and well-researched), easy-to-read, and beautifully laid out and illustrated. Baseball Roundtable recommends it as a worthy addition to any baseball library.<\/p>\nThe authors:<\/p>\n
Tom Zappala:<\/strong> A Boston area businessman and talk show host who is passionate about our national pastime and collects vintage baseball memorabilia.<\/p>\nEllen Zappala:<\/strong> President of ATS Communications (a marketing and consulting company) and a former newspaper publisher, who enjoys bringing the stories of Deadball Era and Golden Age players to life.<\/p>\nAlso contributing:<\/p>\n
\nJoe Orlando<\/strong>: President of Professional Sports Authenticators and PSA\/DNA Authentication Services; Editor of Sports Market Report<\/em>.<\/li>\nJohn Molori<\/strong>: Columnist for Boston Baseball Magazine<\/em>.<\/li>\nSteve Grad:<\/strong>\u00a0principal authenticator for PSA\/DNA Authentication Services<\/li>\nArthur K. Miller:<\/strong>\u00a0award-winning portrait artist specializing in historic sports figures and pop culture icons.<\/li>\nTony Dube<\/strong>: President of White Point Imaging.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nI tweet baseball @DavidBBRT<\/h3>\n Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; Baseball Bloggers Alliance.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The 100 Greatest Baseball Autographs By Tom Zappala and Ellen Zappala Peter E. Randall Publisher (2016) $30.00 Whatever your connection to the National Pastime – autograph collector, statistics addict, historian, trivia buff , casual fan or fanatic \u2013 “The 100 Greatest Baseball Autographs” should capture a spot on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5621,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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