This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/31/2005.
Fearing that the Minor League managers would tamper with Mel Ott's perfect swing, New York Giants manager John McGraw signed him straight out of high school at the age of 16. Debuting as a 17 year old in 1926, Ott went on to become a Giants hero for 22 seasons, emerging as one of baseball's leading hitters and a fan favorite. Smashing 511 home runs in his career, he hit over 30 dingers eight times while maintaining a .304 lifetime batting average. After finishing in seventh place in 1932, Ott led his Giants to a World Series victory in 1933, during which he batted .389. He went on to manage the Giants from 1942-1948, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1951. In 1958, Ott was killed at the age of 49 in a tragic car accident in Louisiana. The Giants later retired Ott's number "4." When you consider the quality of this ball and add its scarcity to the equation, you arrive at a ball that is a true gem. This lightly cream colored ONL Frick baseball is single-signed on the side panel in black fountain pen by the rarest signature of the 500 Home Run Club, Mel Ott. Above the "Spalding" label are the initials "N.B.H.O.F. 51" in red ink, representing "National Baseball Hall Of Fame" with Ott's induction year. The League and President's stamps on the ball is clear and immaculate. Ott's signature exhibits minimal fading and can be read from yards away, grading a strong 9. Accompanied by LOAs from James Spence Authentication, from Kevin Keating and from Mike Guttierez Authentication (Mr. Guttierez is presently with PSA/DNA).