Grover Cleveland Alexander, Andy High and my Grandfather

[brad15]

Hello everyone on Net54. I have been a member here for 3 1/2 years now and I am just now chiming in for the first time. I have read so much here and have learned a lot from many knowledgeable members. I am a St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan and so was my grandfather who died in 1939 when my dad was 12 yrs. old. When my grandmother died in 1972, my dad had an auction company sell all her stuff. I was 15 yrs. old and was helping set up the auction when I found old world series ticket stubs, world series programs, a pennant, a baseball, newspaper clippings and other memorabilia. I asked my dad if I could have them and he said "sure". I am 58 yrs. old now and have taken good care of this stuff. I have a good idea now of the value of these ticket stubs and programs. What I don't know is the value of this game used Grover Cleveland Alexander baseball that was fouled off by Andy High and my grandfather caught in the stands at Sportsman Park in St. Louis on August 6, 1927. He documented the ball himself in ink. He wrote all in caps, PITCHED BY "OLD PETE ALEXANDER THE GREAT" SAT. AUG. 6 1927 - FOULED BY ANDY HIGH, BOSTON THIRD BASEMAN RIGHT IN TO YOUR DADDY'S HANDS, YOURS NOW BILLY. It has other writing on the ball that say's "CARDINAL WERE THE WORLD CHAMPIONS IN THE YEAR 1927. I know people are going to want to see pictures and I have some I just have to figure out how to send them here and I will. I have searched for 4 years and found nothing game used by "Old Pete". Does anyone have an idea on value? And by the way, thank you Leon for this forum. It is my favorite website. Brad

[Exhibitman]

Hi Brad:

My understanding is that 'game used' in reference to a specific player refers to personal articles belonging to the player, like a shirt or a glove, not to the ball from a game in which the player participated. The ball would be worth whatever a baseball from that era sells for in the condition stated, no more.

[packs]

Disagree there are a lot of memorabilia collectors who I think would be interested in the ball as an artifact.

Alexander did pitch that day and High did play that game. With specific details like that I'd believe in the story and would be interested in the ball if for sale.

[Econteachert205]

I think an important factor is the beauty with which the ball is inscribed and the patina of the ball. For me the ball has to look authentic to the experience and moment, and if it does, it should command a premium to a normal ball from the era.

[clydepepper]

While it could net you some good money, I think the family connection written on the ball would make it more valuable to your family's future generations, and, because the inscription is so specific, it may detract from any price you may get for it.

I would keep the ball.

FYI- Cardinals won over the Yankees in 1926; Yankees beat the Pirates in 1927.

[slipk1068]

Babe Ruth caught stealing for the final out of the 1926 World Series. Fans were shocked and left with an empty feeling like "it can't be over, it couldn't end like this."

Same feeling we Met fans had in the 2006 NLCS when Carlos Beltran struck out with the bat on his shoulder and the bases loaded.

WAY cool ball. You will likely get a small premium for it. It will be tough to prove the provenance, so the premium will be small. If i owned a ball like that with a similar family history, it would remain in my family.