Contenders throughout the 1950s, the New York Giants and Cleveland Indians won one World Series apiece but were, of course, overshadowed by seemingly perennial October participants from Brooklyn and the Bronx. These (2) baseballs are autographed by “bridesmaid” squads form those franchises the year after a Fall Classic appearance. Includes:

1952 New York Giants Team-Signed Baseball: a creamy ONL Giles ball (grade “7” with a very thin coat of period shellac) signed in ballpoint (average “7” strength) by (28) with: Sweet Spot: Lanier and Diering; North Panel: Blaylock, (2) unidentified, Koslo, Maglie, Samford and unidentified; South Panel: Ivars, Hearn, Thompson, Katt, Spencer, Lockman and unidentified; West Panel: Jansen, Corwin, Dark, Hartung and Mueller; East Panel: Hofman, Irvin, Williams, Kennedy, Thomson, Rigney and Durocher (manager). Note: this keepsake was undoubtedly signed during spring training, as both Blaylock and Koslo did not make the parent club that year and only played for Minneapolis American Association).

1955 Cleveland Indians Team-Signed Baseball: a clean and cream OAL Harridge sphere (grade “8”) signed in black ink (average “7-8” strength) by (27) with: Sweet Spot: Lopez (manager); North Panel: Rosen, Cuccinello (coach), Foiles, Pope, Wertz, Feller and Mossi; South Panel: Narleski, Naragon, Wight, Smith, Majeski and Kress (coach); West Panel: Kiner, Garcia, Lemon, Houtteman, Doby and Dente; East Panel: Strickland, Philley, Hegan, Harder (coach), Score, Wynn and Avila.

Auction LOA from JSA