Harry (Hank) Gowdy Single Signed ONL Giles Baseball Exceedingly Rare! JSA LOA
Harry Gowdy was the star catcher of the 1914 Miracle Braves. In the 1914 World Series, he had a .545 batting average, including the only home run of the series, in the historic upset of Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics. Gowdy had 50,000 fans celebrate him in a parade in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio that October. He is the only player in Major League history to serve in both World Wars. He saw considerable action in France with the 166th Infantry Regiment of the Ohio National Guard, including some of the worst trench fighting in the war. Gowdy also has the record for most unsuccessful Hall of Fame induction attempts, without ever having been enshrined in the Hall. Although he fell short of being enshrined more than any other player it is clearly an honor to be on the ballot that many times.
Gowdy passed away in 1966, single signed baseballs are nearly non existent with only 1 or 2 others known to exist. This example easily stands out as the finest of the scant few. The autograph is signed in blue ballpoint pen and could not be anymore perfect! Furthermore it is signed on a clean Official National League Giles ball that has only a few areas of soiling and exhibits perfect factory stampings. It has been nearly a decade since the last Gowdy ball has surfaced and there is a good chance that this is the last one that will ever become available. So take this offering for the exceedingly rare opportunity that it is!