Jesse Burkett Signed and Inscribed Baseball - Signed Twice - JSA

Official National League baseball (Frick) inscribed and signed by Hall of Fame outfielder Jesse Burkett (1868-1953), who has signed the ball twice in black fountain pen on opposite side panels. In addition to signing the ball, Burkett has also listed his feat of hitting over .400 on three separate occasions. In full: "Bat Ave/1895 - .421/1896 - .410/1900 - .402." On a separate side panel Burkett has scripted "Good Luck/Jesse" and the third side panel Burkett has written "Four Bunts/" " Hits/Beat Out/Burkett." Although he has signed his name twice, only one panel has his name together (first and last). Like most nineteenth-century Hall of Fame players, Burkett's signature is exceedingly rare in any form. This is just the fourth Burkett signed item we have ever handled and one of only a few that we have seen at auction. Jesse Burkett was one of the greatest hitters of his era, hitting over .400 on three different occasions, a feat duplicated only by Ty Cobb and Rogers Hornsby. Burkett was also a master of control at the plate and his ability to foul pitches off at will was one of the reasons for the introduction of the rule making foul balls count as strikes. Burkett finished his career with a .338 lifetime average and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1946. The ball is toned throughout and displays a number of abrasions. The manufacturer stampings are faded but legible. In Good condition overall. Full LOA from James Spence/JSA. Opening Bid $1,000.

Spring 2024 - Item detail

Jesse Burkett Signed and Inscribed Baseball - Signed Twice - JSA