Help identifying signatures on this 1934 Tour of Japan Baseball

[Topnotchsy]

Hey all,

I picked up this baseball at the last Heritage Auction. They labeled in the most comprehensive 1934 ball they have ever seen, so I guess it comes with the territory that I'm struggling to determine who some of the players are.

Here's what I think it is. Would really appreciate help filling in the ??'s.

Much thanks in advance!

Panel 1:

Sweet Spot
Babe Ruth
? (seems to be upside down but not sure...)



Panel 2:

"A.L. STARS Hololulu T.H. /34
Connie Mack
Lou Gehrig
Rabbit Warstler
Bing Miller
Lefty O'Doul
?



Panel 3:

Joe Cascarella
Jimmie Foxx
Earl Whitehill
?? (left side)
Charlie Gehringer
?? (Signature on bottom)
Edit: Hans Pung - Hawaii baseball player (Signature on right side)





Panel 4:

Doc Ebbing
Frank Hayes
Lefty Gomez
Clint Brown
Edit: Johnny Kerr (Hawaii baseball player)
??




Panel 5:

?? (left side)
Moe Berg
Eric McNair
Earl Averill
??
??




Panel 6:

??




Some names I thought I might see, but don't think are there:
John Quinn (umpire)
Robert J. Schroeder (A's traveling secretary who helped arrange the trip)
Sotaro Suzuki (translator)
F. T. Matsumato (friend of Moe Berg, translator)

I'm wondering if some of the signatures may be Japanese players (in english) or wives of players although I have not found matches just yet.

[Shoeless Moe]

Arn't they all listed on the JSA?

[Huck]

According to at least one source Lefty O'Doul was not a member of the team. Further research has O'Doul as the coach.

http://www.baberuthcentral.com/babes...trip-to-japan/

Only 15 players made the roster and you seem to have all but 2 identified.

http://www.baberuthcentral.com/wp-co...naturesopt.jpg

One of the signatures seems to read Johnny Kerr (panel 4 after Clint Brown). If it is Kerr, then things get interesting. The All-Stars stopped over in Hawaii and played a game in the islands.

https://books.google.com/books?id=V_...20kerr&f=false

So, the signatures could be from members of the Hawaii All-Stars or as you stated, wives and other dignitaries.

Good luck.

[theshleps]

doesn't look like Lefty O'Doul

[Topnotchsy]

Originally Posted by Shoeless Moe

Arn't they all listed on the JSA?

They only have the HOF'ers and Berg listed by name.

Originally Posted by biohazard

According to at least one source Lefty O'Doul was not a member of the team. Further research has O'Doul as the coach.

http://www.baberuthcentral.com/babes...trip-to-japan/

Only 15 players made the roster and you seem to have all but 2 identified.

http://www.baberuthcentral.com/wp-co...naturesopt.jpg

One of the signatures seems to read Johnny Kerr (panel 4 after Clint Brown). If it is Kerr, then things get interesting. The All-Stars stopped over in Hawaii and played a game in the islands.

https://books.google.com/books?id=V_...20kerr&f=false

So, the signatures could be from members of the Hawaii All-Stars or as you stated, wives and other dignitaries.

Good luck.

I think you may have nailed it with Kerr. I thought that was the name there but couldn't understand how it would be on the ball since he wasn't in Japan, but the trip back through Hawaii would make sense. Might provide direction to help find some of the other names as well. Thanks!

Originally Posted by theshleps

doesn't look like Lefty O'Doul

Agreed, though that is what it seems to spell...

[Topnotchsy]

I think Hawaii may be the key here.

On the panel with Foxx, the signature on the right appears to be Hans Pung, who was a member who played in that game.

Curious to know what people's thoughts are on the fact that this appears to be a Hawaii ball and not a ball signed in Japan (albeit with many of the same players...) Does that detract from the history? Add something?

It is possible it was initially partially signed in Japan and then signed in Hawaii (it seems to this point that the American players all signed first based on the location on their signatures...)

Originally Posted by Topnotchsy

Quote:
Originally Posted by theshleps View Post
doesn't look like Lefty O'Doul

Agreed, though that is what it seems to spell...

Looks like Lefty Gomez to me.