1931 Pie Traynor Signed Pittsburgh Pirates Contract - Also Signed by Barney Dreyfuss!

One-page contract, dated November 13, 1930, between Pie Traynor and the Pittsburgh Athletic Company, signed in black fountain pen by "Harold 'Pie' Traynor" (grading "10") and "Barney Dreyfuss" ("10") as president. The one-year agreement, for the 1930 season, calls for Traynor to receive a salary of $14,000. While all Hall of Fame player contracts are rare, this example is all the more significant for the fact that it has been signed by Barney Dreyfuss, owner of the Pirates. Dreyfuss, who died in 1932, was only elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008, and his signature today is one of the rarest of all Hall of Fame members. That Dreyfuss' signature appears here on a legal document makes it all the more desirable for advanced collectors. Pie Traynor is universally recognized as the finest fielding third baseman of his era. His legendary reputation in the field, however, sometimes overshadows his extraordinary batting record. Traynor batted over .300 on ten separate occasions, including a career-high .366 in 1930 (the year of this contract), and retired with a .320 lifetime average. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1948. Baseball contracts of Hall of Fame players, especially those dating from their respective playing careers, are rare and the offered example is no exception. This is just the second Traynor contract we have ever offered and one of just five that we have seen. However, the fact that this example includes the signature of Barney Dreyfuss makes it one of the most significant dual-signed Hall of Fame contracts we have ever offered. The contract (8.5 x 11 inches), which is lightly toned, displays two horizontal folds and a few tiny edge tears. In Very Good to Excellent condition overall. LOA from James Spence/JSA. Reserve $1,000. Estimate (open). SOLD FOR $9,000

Spring 2015 - Item detail

1931 Pie Traynor Signed Pittsburgh Pirates Contract - Also Signed by Barney Dreyfuss!