Autographed Baseball

[mojjax]

I got this for 50 cents at a rummage sale . I can't make out the signature .
I can see the word Pirates .

[daroofa]

Looks like Ron Cey....played in the 70's and 80's for the Dodgers mostly, but never for the Pirates.

[mojjax]

Looks like Ron Cey....played in the 70's and 80's for the Dodgers mostly, but never for the Pirates.

Thanks daroofa . That looks like his sig - you are fast !

[Kieth-Tx]

Daroofa--you are 2 for 2 today!!!

[Bigcypresshunter]

Thats a heck of an ID. How did you know dat?

Mojjax, what other signatures are on that baseball? You maybe could date it by the commissioner.

[daroofa]

Thats a heck of an ID. How did you know dat?

I've always been a sports nut and was a fan of those late 70's - early 80's Dodger teams. Plus there haven't been to many 3 letter last names in baseball so that was a clue too.

[aa battery]

wow thats cool

[Bigcypresshunter]

Thats a heck of an ID. How did you know dat?

I've always been a sports nut and was a fan of those late 70's - early 80's Dodger teams. Plus there haven't been to many 3 letter last names in baseball so that was a clue too.

Im a Pirates fan (born in Pittsburgh)and Im wondering if there are any other signatures.

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

mojjax ~

"Maybe" your Ron Cey autographed ball had something to do with a triple play he was involved in when he played for the Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates in 1983. Check it out on the following link. (Cey played 3rd Base for the Cubs 1983-1986).

SBB

Scroll to 6-2-1983

Link: http://tripleplays.sabr.org/tp_horn.htm

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

P.S. ~

I see part of the word "Wilson" on your ball. We may be able to identify and date it if we knew everything that was printed on it.

Thanks.

SBB

[Dano Sverige]

Could have been a Pirates fan waiting outside the "players entrance" for autographs...and only Cey walked out?

[mojjax]

Here are more pictures - one has an image of a pirate's face .

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Mojjax ~

Thanks.

Questions: Do the Major leagues stamp the team name on their balls? And did they use "Wilson" balls? I'm researching this now and also looking at the possibility of it being a minor league or little league ball that Ron Cey may have had some connection to or was visiting.

SBB

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Here's what I've found so far ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baseball_(ball)


The official major league ball is made by Rawlings, which produces the hand-stitched balls in Costa Rica. Rawlings became the official supplier to the majors in 1977, succeeding Spalding, which had supplied the official ball for a century. The cover of the ball was traditionally horsehide through 1973, but due to dwindling supplies cowhide was introduced in 1974

[Bigcypresshunter]

I sold some autographed balls on eBay years ago. As far as I can recall, they can be dated by the commissioner of baseball's signature. I dont think this is an official Major League baseball.

[Bigcypresshunter]

Could have been a Pirates fan waiting outside the "players entrance" for autographs...and only Cey walked out?

Yes that is most likey. Signatures are usually obtained during meaningless spring training games. But it does appear to be an authentic signature.

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Here's a Pittsburgh Pirates / Wilson / Horsehide ball that is described as a "Souvenir" ball. Which leads me to believe it was sold at sports shops and was not an official game ball. And because of the "horsehide" aspect, I suspect its most likely 1973 or earlier. However, notice it also has "Official League" on it.

I too am leaning towards a fan who had his own ball. But still curious as to identifying mojjax's particular ball with the Pirates name and image on it. Is it a Major League - Minor League - or Little League souvenir? (Mojjax's ball has "Pirates" on it, but not "Pittsburgh").

SBB

Other than the information above, there were no specifics about this particular ball.

[Bigcypresshunter]

I still believe an official Major League baseball needs to have the Commissioners signature and they can be dated by the name. http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/mlb...lbcomishs.html

Im leaning towards souvenir ball also or commemorative. Interesting info on the use of horsehide.

[Bigcypresshunter]

Maybe you or someone can ID the date of my Pirate cap while we on on the subject. All my old stuff is going on eBay soon. I sell under the same name.

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Big Cy ~

Your cap appears to be circa 1970 thru 1975. Is it an an official (original) team cap - souvenir cap - or a throwback cap?

SBB

Pittsburgh Pirates 1970 Uniforms