1933 All-Star Game Charm - Presented to William Conroy

Sold For:

$1,422

Year:

1933

Auction:

2013 Fall

Lot #:

924

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

Gold charm, designed in the shape of a baseball, presented to William Conroy in honor of his participation in the first-ever major league All-Star Game, held at Comiskey Park in Chicago on July 6, 1933. The front of the charm, lettered in black, reads "All Star Game/Chicago/1933/Won By/American League." The reverse bears the name of the recipient: "William Conroy." According to our consignor, he purchased this piece directly from William Conroy's son many years ago. Conroy was not a major league player at the time, but he can be seen in the team photo of the 1933 American League All-Star team (standing next to Lou Gehrig on the far left), where he is often listed erroneously as "Batboy." As related by Conroy's son to our consignor, Conroy was not the batboy: he was personally recruited by Connie Mack to pitch batting practice to the club. Conroy lived in Illinois and was eighteen years old at the time. Although we don't know how Connie Mack knew Conroy, it seems more than coincidental that Conroy later made his major league debut with Mack's Philadelphia Athletics just two years later in 1935. Conroy played a total of six seasons in the majors as a backup catcher and retired in 1944. This is one of only a few 1933 All-Star Game charms we have ever seen, making it an exceedingly rare memento commemorating the first All-Star Game. The charm, which is approximately 2.25 inches in circumference, remains in Near Mint condition. Reserve $300. Estimate (open). SOLD FOR $1,422