This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 5/11/2001.
When major league baseball would not allow blacks to play in their leagues they passed up the opportunity to play with and against players who would have been the greatest of all time. Well after their playing days we begin to realize their significance to the sport of baseball. When major league baseball did finally integrate we got a taste of the intensity and skill of some of those players. The first item in this lot is an original picture of the 1935 Pittsburgh Crawfords, the champions of the Negro League. Featuring such players as Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell, Satchel Paige, and Judy Johnson, it is not surprising that they took the championship. The picture has been matted and framed to an overall size of 16 ½" x 19 ½" and is in excellent overall condition. The next item is a pair of cleats that have been signed by thirteen Negro League legends including Monte Irvin, Buck Leonard, Leon Day, and Lester Lockett. Josh Gison Jr. has also signed in tribute to his father who some say was the greatest Negro League hitter who ever lived. The silver paint pen signatures rate between 8 and 9 and the cleats are in excellent to near mint condition. The last item is a Homestead Grays jersey that has been signed on the left front breast by Hall of Famer Walter Buck Leonard who has added "H.O.F 1972". Leonard is widely considered to be the best first basemen to ever play in the Negro Leagues. The blue Sharpie signature rates a strong 8. The jersey, made of wool flannel, was produced by Ebbets Field Flannels.