This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2001.
In 1955, the half-century run of Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics ended when the franchise moved to Kansas City, changing the scenery but not the losing ways of the team that in the coming years would trade many of its promising players to the Yankees, such as Roger Maris, and endure four seasons of 100 or more losses before Charlie Finley moved the club to Oakland in 1968. This lightly toned, scuffed OAL Harridge ball was used in the A's opening game in KC and is signed by home plate umpire Ed Runge, who wrote, "First game, Kansas City, 1955, Ed Runge, Umpire," in blue pen. Runge's signature rates six.