[YazFenway08]

But first , a quick back story…

I got a small collection of signed early 60s Red Sox photos in a recent Leland’s auction. I wanted them because they are all personalized to former Red Sox Dave Hillman…a really cool guy that I got to talk with a few times and with whom I shared some unique path-crossing in our common hometown.

Dave played a couple years with the Sox and departed them after the ‘61 season…Yaz’ first.

All of the personalized autos are similar to the ones pictured…and, to me, seem to really be of the bon voyage/happy trails variety…Dave was well liked and these look like parting sentiments…no real question in my mind that they are original and authentic.

My question is about the Yaz auto pictured. The photo is clearly of a young Yaz. It is personalized to “Dave” and it appears to be authentic ink on the photo.

But it does not look anything like even early Yaz signature examples I have seen. I just think it would be a little odd for a rookie to have a secretary or clubhouse person sign this when all his teammates pretty clearly went to the trouble. I guess it is possible that these were sent after Dave retired, but that seems a bit less likely to me. Sturduvant was only a Red Sox in 1960 and I think spring training ‘61…wertz played a half season in Boston in ‘61.

Is there any chance this is an authentic rookie year Yaz auto?

Thanks for any thoughts and for wading through my ramble.
Mike