Ted Williams
Boston, MA, July 20, 1946
St. Louis Browns Catcher Mancuso Catches Boston Red Sox Pesky in Attempted Run from First on a Single
Signed photograph

TED WILLIAMS, FRANK MANCUSO, JOHNNY PESKY, Signed Photograph of Play at Home Plate, St. Louis Browns vs. Boston Red Sox, July 20, 1946, Boston, Massachusetts. 1 p., 8.125" x 11.5", with integrated typed caption. Signed by Williams, Mancuso, Pesky, and umpire Rue. Very good. With PSA/DNA letter of authenticity.

The typed caption for this signed photograph reads, ?BOSTON, JULY 20?OH NO YOU DON?T!?Frank Mancuso, St. Louis Browns catcher gets set to tag Johnny Pesky of the Red Sox in the 3rd inning of the St. Louis-Boston game at Fenway Park today, when Pesky tried to come all the way from first on Dom Dimaggio?s single to right field. The throw from Walt Judnich of the Browns to Mancuso was in time to nab Pesky. Ted Williams (9) signals Pesky to hit the dirt. Umpire is Joe Rue. The Browns won 5 to 4, for their first victory over the Sox at Fenway this season.?

This photograph captures the return of baseball as America?s pastime after World War II. The St. Louis catcher Mancuso had suffered a nearly fatal accident as a paratrooper in 1943 that left him with a broken back and leg and left him with a condition that forever prevented him from catching pop-ups. Boston baserunner Pesky had served in the U.S. Navy for three years, and Boston fielder Williams had served for three years in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps as a naval aviator. Dom Dimaggio (1917-2009), who had just hit the single to right field, served in the U.S. Navy for three years. The player not in the picture who made the throw that set up this play was Walt Judnich (1916-1971), the Browns fielder who served in the Army Air Forces from 1943 to 1946.

The photograph was sent out as an Associated Press Wirephoto. Players Johnny Pesky, Ted Williams, and Frank Mancuso and umpire Joe Rue all signed this copy of the photograph.

Johnny Pesky (1919-2012) was born as John Michael Paveskovich in Oregon to Croat immigrants. He played Major League Baseball as a shortstop and third baseman for the Boston Red Sox (1942, 1946-1952), Detroit Tigers (1952-1954), and Washington Senators (1954). He was later a manager for the Boston Red Sox (1963-1964, 1980).

Frank Mancuso (1918-2007) was born in Houston, Texas, and played Major League Baseball as a catcher for the St. Louis Browns (1944-1947).

Ted Williams (1918-2002) was born in San Diego, California, and played Major League Baseball as a left fielder for the Boston Red Sox (1939-1942, 1946-1960). Nicknamed ?the Thumper? and ?the Splendid Splinter,? he was one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. He finished with a .344 batting average, 521 home runs, and a record-high .482 on-base percentage. He was a nineteen-time All-Star, two-time AL MVP, six-time AL batting champion, and two-time Triple Crown winner.

Joe Rue (1898-1984) was born in Kentucky and was a professional baseball umpire in the American League from 1938 to 1947. He served as an umpire in the 1943 World Series and All-Star Game.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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8.125" x 11.5"