1939 Reds Team Signed Ball - Which players?

[IronHorse2130]

I rarely deal in autographs but liked this ball a friend of mine picked up from a local estate. We worked out a trade I thought was fair. I'm almost positive this ball was signed in 1939 by members of the Cincinnati Reds. Features two Hall of Famers (Lombardi and Simmons) as well as Johnny Vander Meer.

Can you folks help me identify a few of the signatures? Here is what I have...

Johnny Vander Meer

Wally Berger
Harry Gowdy
Frank McCormick
Dick West
Red Barrett
Bill Myers


Al Simmons

Bucky Walters
Harry Craft
Lew Riggs
Ernie Lombardi
Lonnie Frey


Gene Thompson
Ival Goodman
Eddie Joost
Nino Bongiovanni
Lee Gamble


Henry (Hank) Johnson
Lee Grissom
John Niggeling
F (Frenchy) Bordagaray
B (Bill) Werber
W (Willard) Hershberger
?????????

[IronHorse2130]

2

[RelicSports]

the one below Berger is Harry "Hank" Gowdy

[Chris Counts]

I believe that's Nino Bongiovanni above Lee Grissom.

[Chris Counts]

The last one is really tough to read, in part because it's on the edge of two photos. If you could photograph it straight-on, it might be easier to read. I'm going to guess it's Paul Derringer since he's by far the most important player on the team who isn't listed on your ball.

[IronHorse2130]

Thank you both! I will take another photo of the last autograph in question when I'm home tonight. Thank you again!

[IronHorse2130]

Originally Posted by Chris Counts

I believe that's Nino Bongiovanni above Lee Grissom.

I'm almost positive the signature above Grissom is Henry (Hank) Johnson. The one in between Eddie Joost and Lee Gamble is the one I'm still struggling with.

[IronHorse2130]

Originally Posted by Chris Counts

The last one is really tough to read, in part because it's on the edge of two photos. If you could photograph it straight-on, it might be easier to read. I'm going to guess it's Paul Derringer since he's by far the most important player on the team who isn't listed on your ball.

Here is a close up. It does look like Paul.

[Chris Counts]

I'm sorry for the mixup, but I meant that Nino Bongiovanni is located above Lee Gamble, not Lee Grissom.