Mystery Balls: Anyone know who they are?

[Polarboy]

Got these from a thrift store/sporting goods store, no idea who signed them, could use some help please and thank you!

[ocjack]

First - I don't know. Sorry.

Second - I almost didn't click on this thread for fear of what I might see!

[dgo71]

Third pic, the signature on bottom is Grant Jackson.

[Polarboy]

Originally Posted by dgo71

Third pic, the signature on bottom is Grant Jackson.

Thank you, it seems that (at least so far) the signatures aren't a team ball, as Jackson didn't play in 1994-1999 (when this ball was being made), maybe an old timer's game, or some other event? He was a reds coach during that time, but i'm not seeing other signatures from that team, at least not so far.

[roarfrom34]

the autograph above Grant Jackson is Mike Smith (Orioles pitcher '89-'90).....I know Jackson was a long time MiLB pitching coach as well....

[dgo71]

Good call on "Texas Mike" Smith, I knew it looked familiar and that one was driving me crazy!

Smith's career didn't clearly overlap with Jackson's. The closest they came was when Smith played for Chattanooga in 1995, while Jackson was their pitching coach two years earlier. Smith has some missing seasons from 1992-1994, so maybe he was with the Reds organization but hurt all that time, which might have put him and Jackson in the same place in 1993. Perhaps a Spring Training ball, or some sort of hot stove/fan fest event?

Edit to add, the bottom pic (single signed in ink) is former Phillies top prospect Dominic Brown. One of the nicer signatures you'll see from him, he signed just "DB" a lot of times.