This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2001.
On February 1, 1970, this Hall of Fame catcher signed this near-mint NL ball, "To Gordon, a real fellow, my best to you always, Gabby Hartnett, Chicago Cubs." This was high praise indeed coming from Hartnett, a shy but real fellow who got his nickname because he was so soft-spoken during his 20-year big league career spent almost entirely with the Cubs. The MVP in 1935, he owned a lifetime .297 average with 236 home runs and was regarded as the greatest catcher of his time in the NL. Hartnett's signature in black ink rates a 7. The date February 1, 1970 has been written in another hand on the ball, which comes with a PSA letter of authenticity.