1928 Yankee ball---14 sigs---BUT---

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Posted By: Fred Y

ONE name does not fit!

A friend has taken for EBay consignment several signed baseballs---One is supposed to be a 1928 Yankee ball w/ 14 sigs: It has a COA from BOTH PSA & JSA.

Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Herb Pennock, Earl Combs, Waite Hoyt, Tony Lazzeri, Johnny Grabowski, Joe Dugan, Bob Meusal, Wilcey Moore, Blonde Ryan, Ben Paschal, Benny Bengough and George Pipgras.

My question is this: 13 of the names fit for the 1928 Yankees, but Blondy Ryan does NOT, unless someone can explain!

Ryan was a Yankee for 1/2 season in 1935. He didn't make the majors until 1930 w/ CWSox, was gone until 1933-34 w/ NY Giants, then in 1935 1/2 season w/ Phils & 1/2 w/ Yankees, gone again 'til 1937 & '38 back w/ the Giants!

Why would he be on this ball?????

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

A 22 year old invitee to the Yankee's spring training camp?

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Posted By: Todd Schultz

any chance it's Rosy Ryan? He pitched VERY briefly for the '28 Yanks.

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Posted By: davidcycleback

It's not rare for a team ball, or group ball, to have former player or odd man out signatures on them. For example, an old Yankee could be a coach, or is working for the team or is an announcer or is attending a game. If he's around the clubhouse or stadium, he may be invited to sign the ball. If you're getting the current players signatures at Chicago Bears practice and Dick Butkis or even non-Bear Bart Starr is there, you'd probably invite the old timer to sign the ball. I've had a couple of team baseballs like this, ones which that I got directly from Mike Gutierrez.

So odd man out signatures do sometimes appear.

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Posted By: Todd Schultz

but here you have a youngster who had no business being there in 1928 appearing on the ball. Unless someone took the ball many years later to add Blonde's sig to the '28 team, or unless they all signed far later than 1928, then there seems to be a mystery.

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Posted By: Andrew S.

Fred, if you're able, try to post a photo of the Ryan signature.

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Posted By: Fred Y

Todd---You hit the nail on the head! It has to be Rosy Ryan!

With the help of a friend, we discovered the same thing & I was coming back to report such!

What are the odds of the Yankees having a Blondy Ryan & Rosy Ryan playing for them in the space of 7 yrs!

I found Blondy Ryan so easy that I never checked the Almanac Roster, I just pursued the name! Never occurred to me their might have been another Ryan!

Andrew--

That was most of the problem---The sig on the ball is so light even my friend selling the ball couldn't read it--and she thought the JSA worksheet said "Blondy Ryan", which it may have in error!

She also thought the 1st letter on the ball looked like an R, which would fit Rosy!

Mystery solved!

Thanks to all for the help & the comments!

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Posted By: leon

I wish all mysteries were solved this easily....where are those Just So cigarette packs and Four Base Hit containers? Glad you got this solved. The board is a great wealth of knowledge.....and thanks to those who helped....

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Posted By: Fred Y

for your comments!

I am now suspect that the sig of Lou Gehrig may have been "enhanced"---likely AFTER PSA & JSA authentication!

After I get a bit more info I am going to see if I can get some pics to post. I don't want my friend to get stuck selling a consigned ball if it has been altered!

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Posted By: Arthur Lobbe

2 Ryans in 7 years! Heck the Mets had 2 Bob Miller's pitching at the same time.

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Posted By: Fred Y

Arthur---

Yes, but Bob Millers are a dime a dozen!!

I'm talkin' 'bout a "Blondy" & a "Rosy"!! LOL!!!

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Posted By: Todd Schultz

Here's a face to put with the name, from a 1934 Mpls. Millers yearbook:

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Posted By: Fred Y

Thanks alot!

I had never heard of "Rosy" before, nor "Blondy" Ryan either for that matter!!