Lot 108 email save

1954 Dwight D. Eisenhower Signed Ball

Sign In to see what this sold for

Important Notice: Please note that the format of this auction differs from a traditional eBay Live auction in that only absentee bids are accepted. There is no live "bidding on the close" in which to participate. All lots offered in this auction will close at exactly the same time, as opposed to a traditional one at a time closing of lots, and therefore there is no live "one lot at a time" bidding close in which to participate. Your left bids will compete with all other left bids by auction participants. Bids may be placed on the eBay system at any time prior to 9:00 PM EST, May 1, 2004. No bids will be recognized or accepted when the eBay Live "live bidding applet" is run early in the morning of May 2, 2004 strictly for the purpose of officially registering and recording the final auction results.

1954 Dwight D. Eisenhower Single Signed Ball

Fascinating baseball with a story, signed by Dwight D. Eisenhower. Opening Day for the Washington Senators in 1954 was highlighted by a strange and well-documented event involving the President of the United States. As the story goes, Major League umpire John Flaherty apparently blew a close call, and found him being unmercifully taunted in a loud voice by the Commander in Chief from his seat behind the dugout. The stadium of fans looked on in disbelief as umpire Flaherty found himself on the receiving end of the President's heckling. The next day the newspapers were filled with recollections of the event. It was also reported that the two met after the game in the locker room and buried the hatchet, with Eisenhower signing a ball as a peace offering to the ump. This is that ball! The OAL Harridge ball is signed and inscribed "To John Flaherty, Dwight D. Eisenhower" in blue/green ink on a side panel. The signature grades a strong "6." The ball has been shellacked and has yellowed with age, and is overall in Good condition. The ball was long ago acquired directly from the Flaherty family. LOAs from Mike Gutierrez/GAI and James Spence, Steve Grad & John Reznikoff/PSA DNA. Reserve $400. Estimate $700/$1,000.

View Robert Edward Auctions next auction.

Similar lots up for auction