For sale is an official Ban Johnson American League baseball with a very unique history. The ball has two inscriptions on it. One reads, "last ball caught by Max Bishop." The second reads, "1926 Athelatics 3 vs Chicago 2." The ball was purchased at an estate sale in Pennsylvania.
The Athletics and White Sox did play one game in 1926 that ended with a score of 3-2. It was the infamous Blue Law game, in which the Athletics broke the law by playing a game on a Sunday. Despite religious protests and threats that all the players would be arrested, the game was played, and ended with a 3-2 victory for the Athletics. Lefty Grove was the starting pitcher and threw a complete game. If this indeed was the "last ball" used in the game, it was thrown by Lefty Grove.
Please note that Max Bishop did not actually play in the game, though he was on the Athletics roster. It is likely the person who sometime later wrote the inscription had a faulty memory, or simply misidentified the player who caught the last ball. Or, perhaps Bishop was a late defensive replacement who did not appear in the box score.
In any case, the ball is definitely an official American League Ban Johnson ball. As vintage ball collecting has become very popular, Ban Johnson vintage balls have become very difficult to find. At some point a light coat of varnish/shellac was applied. I would like to get $900 for this ball, but would consider lesser offers.
Mark
drumback2@cox.net